DAMN YANKEE 2.0

The nostalgia drag scene is about to receive another awesome vehicle, and it’s one that may stir up a few memories too. Jason and Michelle Dolores are building a recreation of the famous altered ‘Damn Yankee’. The original car was campaigned by Jason’s dad, Kevin Dolores, along with Jim Oppelt, back in the mid 1970s. The 125-inch-wheelbase chassis is an all-new chromoly item, designed and built by the late Clive Davis, although Jason says that it will be a bit different to the other altered cars running at the moment, as the rear end is floating rather than solid-mounted. The 1923 T-altered fibreglass body comes mainly from the original car, while the 460ci big block Chev also has some ’70s appeal in the form of a Hilborn mechanical injection system. The engine itself was built by Jim Oppelt, who, as well as campaigning the car originally, also built the motors back then. The methanolfuelled motor is backed by a Powerglide transmission built by Kevin Cairns of Auto Trans, which then leads to a Mark Williams rear. All going to plan, the car’s not far from hitting the track, with the goal being to debut it at the IHRA Nationals at Meremere Dragway this March, where we’re sure that it’ll be a hit with the crowd. Until then, you can keep an eye on the progress of the build on the ‘Damn Yankee 2.0’ Facebook page.