1952 Studebaker Commander "The Maggot" 60's DragCar

Western New York 60's & 70's stock class(O Stock an others)drag race terror- Pete Magel's 1952 Studebaker "The Maggot"

Pete was from Clarence CenterNY and raced the Maggotat nearby Lancaster Dragway. He also raced at Cayuga in Cayuga Ontario Canada and atNiagarain Niagara Falls NY. And a trip to Indy where he took a 2nd in his class.He was almost always unbeaten. A lot of racers dreaded pulling to the line next to him. There are interesting stories on theHAMB and other sites about him. The pictureof it racing is at Niagara in 1967.

I purchased the car from the guys who found it where Pete had stored it in about 1982.

Pete is no longer with us so exact details on what he did to this car went with him. All I know is what I have heard from people that knew him or raced against him. So to get it up and running I tried to channel Pete as Ihad to figure out some of the strange and ingenius thingshe did.

He did cut weight wherever he could--Hood and Trunk emblems and trim removed-- Half of the bumper brackets left off-- Original seat replaced with what appears to be a Ford Falcon seat.(I have the original seat)--He used plastic nuts and bolts in different places--He also drilled holes in the rear wheel houses in the trunk and left the trunk latch offapparently to release trapped air.

The engine is a 232 cu in V8 with a 2 barrel carb. The ignition is a now rare W&H DuCoil Distributor. Pete made his own fender well headersand extension pipes. There is also a very deep oil pan.I do not know the make of the clutch but it does have an aluminum flywheel. The transmission is a 3 speed floor shifted by a Hurst shifter topped with a coal shovel handle!The diff does have 5 13 gears. He has some strange traction devices under the car.

The car is running(the engine is a little tired though)and driving. I have replaced some wiring and added a newer style fuse panel. Replaced generator and regulator. I replaced the rear tires with correct vintage cheater slicks and the fronts with NOS nylon cord tires

This car is a piece of Western NY drag racing history and I think it should be preserved as such or strengthened back up to run in nostalgia races. I have some pictures and video of it running backin the day that will go with it. Also have many extra parts too. I have clear NYS DMVtransferable paper work in my name to transfer this car. I can assist with the loading and car haulers or tractor trailers can pull right up in front of my shop.