Normally, we caution our friends to steer clear of modified cars, as inheriting another person’s project – especially if that person happens to be a complete stranger – is usually a roll of the dice at best. Buying a modded machine can spell all sorts of troubles, like screwy wiring, slipshod body work and a drivetrain as reliable as a pineapple grenade. But, every now and again, picking up a modded machine is possibly the best way of saving oneself a world of ache and frustration. That is where this particular eBay find comes into play.

This ’55 gasser started its new lease on life as a barn find in rural California – notorious for rust-free street cars. Believed to be a fully-committed drag car during the gasser heydays, the ’55 sports its original California pink slip, as well as its last registration slip from 1980.

The shoebox’s front clip was updated with a Speedway tube axle with disc brakes, 4×2 frame rails from the firewall forward, and all new powertrain.

Running a 355 small block bowtie plant that’s been punched .030-over and filled with hypereutectic pistons, the plant was balanced and clearanced before a set of big Dart iron heads (.202 intake, .160 exhaust), a set of COMP roller rockers, Speedpro push rods, a Crane hydraulic roller cam (.537-lift), a Jackson gear drive, an Offenhauser tunnel ram, new 3310 Holley, and vintage appliance white headers sum up the powerplant.

Backing the motor are new 2 1/2-inch exhaust running through Flowmaster mufflers dispense the gases, while a Turbo 350 sports a 2,800rpm stall converter and a Dash-2 kit. Out back is a heavy duty 10-bolt with Richmond 4.10 gears and a posi. Suspension is composed of a set of classic slapper bars all riding on a set of 15×8 rims wrapped in pie crust slicks. Upfront are a set of Rocket Gassers.

The floors have been replaced, while the doors and fenders look clean. The hood and fiberglass rear bumper (not shown) are in good condition too. Inside, the cabin is stripped saved for a pair of fiberglass seats and a Sun tach. No headliner, carpet, wipers, turn signals, heater or radio. It’s all business. As far as gassers go, this ’55 has all the hard work already done, and since it’s a simple build, there’s not too many surprises to spring up and bite you when you’re not looking.