Precision miniatures have now announced that their next model will be the 1952 SoCal drop-tank lakester, available shortly pre-order price £79-99.
Form follows function, this was one of the more distinctive cars to run the dry lakes and salt flats. Many of the early cars of this type were called wing tank, belly tank or drop tank cars. Unlike amateur hot rodders who used conventional automobiles, airmen from the USAF understood the importance of aerodynamics. So an inspired group started to build salt flat racers from 315 gallon auxiliary fuel tanks which were originally fitted to the bottom of P-38 Lightning aircraft. Thus the term belly tankers was derived. Alex Xydias's So-Cal Speed Shop was one of the leading garages producing these exceptional salt flat land speed cars. The So-Cal Belly Tanker ran three different flat-head Ford engines in 1952 in 3 different classes. It broke two records in 1952 at 198.34 mph and would probably have broken a third had the first Chrysler Hemi powered tanks not arrived on the scene. At the Bonneville Speed Week in 1952 it won 6 awards and was declared "The Most Honored Car In The History Of Bonneville.
