The crew at Holley Performance met up with Dave Ver Schave and his 1955 Chevy at the 2014 Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion. His very retro gasser was themed after the Schwinn Orange Krate bicycle his parents couldn’t afford to get him as a kid. It did not escape the Holley crew that the Orange Krate carried two Holley 750-Double Pumpers on board.

Gasser’s got their name from competition in gasoline-fueled drag racing classes rather than classes that used methanol or nitromethane fuels. Holley 750 double pumper carburetors became the favorite fuel distribution means for these beasts.

While the appearance of these racecars seem to be very top heavy and ungainly, their racing form is a direct response to the function they perform. The gasser’s front ends are raised higher than stock to assist with weight transfer under hard acceleration. Known for having their exhaust pipes exit through the front wheelwells in addition to the raised front end, these pump gas racecars are loved by many.

While Ver Schave mentions the heavy weight of his racecar, gassers were known for being lighter than their street versions. In the video it is easy to spot all the supports with lightening holes throughout Ver Schave’s car that help lighten the load.

Gassers typically have the headers exit though the front wheel wells.

The Orange Krate is a certified racecar with a chromoly cage in it. Ver Schave finished the car in March of 2014 and currently takes it to races and shows in his local area. Doing most of the work himself, Ver Schave said that he even painted the car. No matter where the gasser goes, it draws a crowd.