The iconic "Little Red Wagon" was famously powered by a 426 Hemi engine. This high-performance V8 engine was central to the vehicle's legendary status in drag racing.
The Powerhouse: 426 Hemi
The 426 Hemi is a renowned engine produced by Chrysler, celebrated for its hemispherical combustion chambers, which allow for efficient airflow and significant power output. In the context of the Little Red Wagon, this engine was chosen for its raw power and performance capabilities, making the highly modified Dodge A100 pickup truck a formidable competitor on the drag strip.
Here's a quick look at some key aspects of the 426 Hemi that made it ideal for the Little Red Wagon:
- Exceptional Power: Known for its high horsepower and torque, crucial for rapid acceleration in drag racing.
- Racing Heritage: The Hemi engine had a strong reputation in motorsports, particularly in drag racing and NASCAR.
- Robust Design: Built to withstand the extreme stresses of competitive racing.
For more general information on the specifications and history of this powerful engine, you can explore details about the 426 Hemi engine.
Custom Engineering and Placement
Fitting the massive 426 Hemi into the compact Dodge A100 "cabover" design required extensive and innovative modifications. Builders Jim Schaeffer and John Collier were instrumental in transforming the truck.
To accommodate the large engine and its accompanying TorqueFlite automatic transmission, Schaeffer and Collier opted for a highly unconventional placement:
- Mid-Mounted Drivetrain: Unlike traditional front-engine vehicles, the entire drivetrain, including the engine and transmission, was installed in the pickup bed.
- Welded Steel Subframe: A robust welded steel subframe was constructed within the bed to securely house and support the powerful engine and transmission, ensuring stability and rigidity under extreme acceleration.
This unique configuration shifted the vehicle's weight distribution, contributing to its incredible traction and performance on the drag strip, making it a crowd favorite and a true engineering marvel.
Legacy of the Little Red Wagon
The Little Red Wagon became a celebrated exhibition vehicle in the 1960s, thrilling audiences with its dramatic wheelstands as the powerful Hemi engine lifted its front wheels off the ground under acceleration. It showcased not only the brute force of the 426 Hemi but also the ingenuity of its builders in creating a visually stunning and performance-driven machine that defied conventional automotive design. Its success cemented the 426 Hemi's reputation as a drag racing legend.
