January 1969, Drag Strip magazine SUBJECT: How to wrestle hemis with a little old American Motors funny car. SOLUTION: Go to light rear engine Javelin, blown on fuel. ----------------------------------- Resplendent in bold patriotic color scheme, Doug Thorley’s latest entry in funny car battles is clean, uncluttered. Seen through special lens (right) rear end lines are prominent. Single Tri-Form chute is carried. Uniquely tilting to front (below), glass body covers Woody chassis and rear engine machinery. Sperex paint covers headers, frame, etc. to maintain sanitary reputation. ----------------------------------- When the matter of another funny car to double the success of their Grant Rebel S/XS came up at American Motors, the Doug’s Headers Corvair was the hottest independent going, so it was natural that owner Doug Thorley should be given the project. "How would you, Doug, with a 7.60-second Chevy worldbeater, like to build a new AMC car and try to make us number one? And, oh yes, we’ll foot the bill". The challenge of making the wedge 390 keep company with ‘elephant motor’ Chrysler hemis; the opportunity to build a wild new concept car; and the budget allowed were accepted post haste. Thorley now has the most unique funny car in the country. After consideration of the job to be done and the powerplant he’d have to do it with, Doug decided, that a very lightweight rear engine design was the answer. He would be giving up brute horsepower to some funnies, but would save 400 pounds to compensate. It cost $13,000 to complete, but his plan is bearing fruit. Seven-sixty has been a little tough in his first outings, but 8.10 e.t.’s and 188 mph speeds indicate he’s getting warm. A little more 'pop’, a little different gear and on will come even bigger numbers. ------------------------------------ Active on Southern California strips since its debut, Javelin I is a crowd pleaser with bright colors and impressive speeds by "underdog Rambler". Owner-driver Thorley (right), a veteran of recordbreaking funny car performance, enters wierd new S/XS through swingaway windshield. Mounted behind driver, front of engine (lower left) is complicated total of blower drive, magneto, plumbing, etc. because many components had to be specially fashioned for the application. Driver’s area