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nkaminar · 05-16-2025, 08:14 AM

Many years ago I built a small solar cell powered car for a drag race contest. The contest was sponsored by Sandia National Labs and was part of a conference. They provided the cells and motor.

Among other innovations, my car had a variable speed transmission consisting of audio tape (remember those?) that wound between two pulleys. The tape started out on the output pulley on the rear axle and the input pulley, attached to the motor, was bare. As the tape wound onto the pulley on the motor and off the pulley on the axle the ratio would change.

My car was at least twice as fast as the other cars.

I am just wondering if something like this could be used for 50's drag racing. Maybe a steel tape could be used. A solid axle could be used with a large pulley on it. A differential is not needed for drag racing. In my mind I see another pulley attached to a right angle gear system which is lined up with the pulley on the axle. Of course this could only be used for racing.

What do you think?

05-16-2025, 08:14 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,856	Re: Rear End Ratios for STREET & STRIP Many years ago I built a small solar cell powered car for a drag race contest. The contest was sponsored by Sandia National Labs and was part of a conference. They provided the cells and motor. Among other innovations, my car had a variable speed transmission consisting of audio tape (remember those?) that wound between two pulleys. The tape started out on the output pulley on the rear axle and the input pulley, attached to the motor, was bare. As the tape wound onto the pulley on the motor and off the pulley on the axle the ratio would change. My car was at least twice as fast as the other cars. I am just wondering if something like this could be used for 50's drag racing. Maybe a steel tape could be used. A solid axle could be used with a large pulley on it. A differential is not needed for drag racing. In my mind I see another pulley attached to a right angle gear system which is lined up with the pulley on the axle. Of course this could only be used for racing. What do you think? __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 05-16-2025 at 08:20 AM.