Ewald Enterprises is Known as the Premier Restorers of Nostalgia Dragsters
- May 1, 2009
Ewald's "BankAmericar" restored Dragster
John Ewald was the track photographer for Lions Drag Strip from 1968 to 1972, while racing a number of classes in both cars and boats.
Brothers John and Don Ewald, of Ewald Enterprises, grew up in Long Beach, California where drag racing was prevalent.
Both Ewald cars have appeared in over 100 events and have been featured in many publications and TV shows.
"When the restoration on old dragsters with running engines got started up in 1999 we went on a search to find our "BankAmericar" Buttera top fuel front engine dragster that Don drove back in the 70's," says John. It was found in Atlanta and the brothers were able to buy it back in 2002. "I restored the car back to its 1970 configuration and we won the Presentation Award at the 2003 California Hot Rod Association. We were also featured on the cover and eight inside pages of Hot Rod Magazine in December 2004."
Demand for the car at various events to fire up the engine or "cackle" steadily grew. In top fuel dragsters, the header does not collect the exhaust, but each exhaust port has its own pipe, or zoomie. This allows each individual combustion explosion to be heard, producing the cackle. Ewald is more active than anyone in the Cackle Car realm, attending as many as 30 events a year. These appearances inspired the restoration of a second top fuel car from the 1960's which was dubbed "Mastercar" to go along with the credit card theme. "Back in 1968 artist Kenny Youngblood named our dragster "BankAmericar" after he saw we were using the new Bankamericard credit card to buy parts," says John.
Both cars have appeared in over 100 events and have been featured in many publications and TV shows. "We have fired up the fuel Hemis over eleven hundred times," says John. Protecting our $20,000 vintage 392 Chrysler Hemis is critical and the K&N Oil Filters we use guarantees this protection. We also use K&N air filters on our tow and support vehicles to get the best gas mileage, power and engine protection."
John has recently restored the "Blood-Sweat & Nitro," a 1960's top fuel dragster. "This dragster is currently featured in a Full Throttle TV commercial and is on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Museum...of course it has a K&N oil filter on it. When you own the best, you use the best."
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