17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

I am thinking of taking my 1930 stock Model A on a 1/8 drag strip.

Would using 1934, 17 inch wheels/tires work ok?

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

This raises a whole bunch of questions.

Why run the stock car on the 1/8 drag strip?

What do you mean by stock?

What is the body style?

Why do you want to use 17 inch wheels and tires?

I am not the 17-inch expert, but I think the 17-inch wheels fit the Model A without modifications. Using the 17-inch wheels and tires would probably not give you any advantage and would make the car non-stock. The 19-inch tires may be an advantage as there would be less tire patch area and therefor less friction than the 17-inch tires. I don't think you have to worry about hooking up to the road surface with a stock Model A.

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

It is possible to spin the tire on the rim, and tear the valve stem out

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

This raises a whole bunch of questions.

Why run the stock car on the 1/8 drag strip?
--Its called Vintage racing. A bunch of people having fun at a drag strip racing each other. The cars are older than 1954 but mostly model As. Its fun!

What do you mean by stock?
--Completely stock 4 cylinder engine

What is the body style?
--Coupe.

Why do you want to use 17 inch wheels and tires?
--Because I have a set of 1934 wheels with new tires.
--The car has been off the road since 1972. The tires are old but hold air.

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

The rolling diameter of all Ford wheels from 1930 thru 1948 are within 1/2" of each other.

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

The YouTube guys seem to film the V8s but there were plenty of flat 4 and OHV Model As running at the recent Antique Nationals - https://www.foureverfour.com/history/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAUyBDEq2ZQ&t=214s

https://youtu.be/67Abq2mO8tY?t=1051
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDebn1amuz0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWopU1P8KVw

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

This is the time to beat- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pefSVuL3WpQ

Re: 17 inch wheels on a 1/8 drag strip
 

With an A you can drag race on any street with a 50+MPH limit and not get a ticket. Even the "exhibition of speed" law won't effect you.


The crime of exhibition of speed in California prohibits a person from accelerating or driving at a rate of speed in a manner that is dangerous and unsafe in order to show off or make an impression on someone else.