Ever See Roger Hardcastle's "Stinger 2"

[TopFuel@Lions]

Did ya ever get a chance to see this unique and wild machine, Roger Hardcastle's Stinger 2 nitro gulping Astra. Most of the time piloted by Joe Lacosta maybe running a reported 30 to 50% pineapple juice, this cool ride put some fear into the emerging S/XS teams.


TopFuel@Lions

 

[Cliff]

Don't think I ever saw the car in person (probably cuz I was in Air Force at the time), but I know about it. Also the rear engine 'funny car" that ran about then - was a special body & maybe Connie Swingle drove it? The Pirhana I think it was called.

 

[Cliff]

Points - Division 7 World Championship Finals - Irwindale Raceway....

Points - Division 7 World Championship Finals - Irwindale Raceway. Pat Akins and Roger Hardcastle's "The Stinger II" Kellison-bodied S/XS drag coupe smoking the tires.

www.gettyimages.com

 

[Cliff]

The Piranha

I don’t know where car companies come up with the names for their models. What's a Sephia? A Camry? Heck, for that matter, what's a Camaro, other than one of the most famous car names ever? In the mid- to late 1960s, animal names were the hot ticket for car makers – Mustang, Beetle, Bronco...

www.nhra.com

 

[TopFuel@Lions]

Did they make a model of this car? I think they did, maybe AMT?



TopFuel@Lions

 

[TopFuel@Lions]

The Astra J5 started in 63 as a A/MSP classed car of that year on gas then switched to the pineapple juice. My favorite all around supercharged driver, Gary Southern set a CC/FD national record with this thing at 8.65 at a booming speed for the time at 185 in 1966. Once again, the S/XS community cried a major river and the car was not allowed to run the early funny car shows. Great looking ride.



TopFuel@Lions

 

[Cliff]

I know that AMT made a model of the Piranha; not sure about the Stinger. The Stinger would make a great Pro Mod today.

 

[Cliff]

The Piranha

I don’t know where car companies come up with the names for their models. What's a Sephia? A Camry? Heck, for that matter, what's a Camaro, other than one of the most famous car names ever? In the mid- to late 1960s, animal names were the hot ticket for car makers – Mustang, Beetle, Bronco...

www.nhra.com