Tony Nancy Wedge (dragster)

Wedge I
Overview
Manufacturer	RCS
Designer	Steve Swaja (chassis), Emil Deidt and Wayne Ewing (body)
Body and chassis
Class	AA/Gas
Body style	Front-engined streamliner dragster
Related	None
Powertrain
Engine	Supercharged 428 cu in (7,010 cc) Plymouth hemi
Chronology
Predecessor	None
Successor	None

The Tony Nancy Wedge was two different streamliner dragsters.

Designed by Steve Swaja in 1963, they were built for Tony Nancy, to run in NHRA's AA/Gas (A/Gas supercharged) class. The aluminum body was built by Emil Deidt and Wayne Ewing, on an RCS chassis. It had a straight front axle with bicycle wheels, a pointed-nosed body covering both slicks, and mid-mounted engine, with exhaust pipes out the underside of the body ahead of the rear tires.

In theory, the wedge body offered an aerodynamic advantage, decreasing turbulent airflow over the rear wheels, as well as increasing downforce; in practice, the extra weight exceeded any advantage.

In Wedge I trim, the car was powered by a supercharged 428 cu in (7,010 cc) Plymouth hemi.

Handling was problematic; at Sandusky, Ohio, in July 1964, Wedge I flipped on its way through the timing lights, at a speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h). (This phenomenon, later common to rear-engine dragsters, would come to be known as "blowover".)

Wedge II was modified, with slots above the slicks to allow air trapped under the car to escape, while the wheelbase was also extended. Nancy powered the car with a selection of blown engines: a Plymouth, then a Chrysler hemi, and finally an Olds.

Wedge II was later stored, while Nancy purchased a more conventional slingshot car, and subsequently restored.

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