Jack Hartney’s 1950’s Dragster
Michael “Jack” Hartney, a WWII veteran was among the earliest New England hot rodders and one of the leading organizers of the Orange, MA. drag strip. During the early 1950s Jack worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles of bureaucrats and the public by successfully organizing drag racing in Massachusetts at the Orange Airport. Jack helped promote safety in racing by moving the hobby from the streets to a sanctioned track while benefiting the Kiwanis Club which helped support local charities and the activities of the hot rod community.
A dilemma existed between young hot rodders eager to prove their craftsmanship and engineering skills by demonstrating that the hot rods they built were indeed faster than anything anyone one else had in town. Racing occurred, sometimes tragically, on the public streets and the concern for safety after many accidents was growing. Jack successfully convinced his community that a local drag strip would prevent street racing by providing local racers a sanctioned and safe place to race their rods.
After putting so much effort into establishing a dragstrip, it was time to build his own dragster. Jack’s dragster, a specially built car designed for one thing - going as fast as possible in a straight line covering a quarter mile against the clock. Jack began building his dragster in 1957 at his home garage, fabricating nearly every part himself from the steel tube frame to the aluminum skinned body. The dragster was built using a well proven flathead Ford engine, starting with a bored and stroked Mercury 276-cu.in engine with an Isky cam, Edelbrock heads a Veco magneto and backed by a two speed Mercury transmission and cut down Ford rear end. Jack’s original M & H Racemaster tires still transfer power to the road. Jack selected the silver blue paint scheme and dubbed his dragster, “Little Arrow”, successfully challenging racers all over New England, including at Charlestown, RI, Connecticut Dragway, Orange, MA. and other sites. Jack paid attention to the details, assuring his rail would win at the car shows as well as the drag strip.
Jack’s many trophies tell the story of a successful racer, including a runner up in his class at the 1962 National Championship. Jack’s contributions to hot rodding and drag racing are superbly detailed in the book “Cool Cars, Square Roll Bars”. Jack was inducted into the esteemed New England Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2008.
On loan from Jeff Goldstein, The Piston Palace, Warwick, RI
Specifications:
Engine: Mercury 276 C.I. V8
Engine Modifications: Isky Camshaft, Edelbrock heads, Veco magneto
Drivetrain: Two speed Mercury automatic transmission, cut down Ford rearend
