Recreating the half-destroyed semi-fueled Fiat from 1965
The Fiat Magic Muffler Drag Racing Saga: Part 2
In The Drag Racing Saga of the Magic Muffler Fuel Altereds: Part 1, automotive author Cole Coonce presented the unfortunate story of the Magic Muffler racing team from the 60s and 70s. The most recognized car in this history is possibly Jim Miles’ Fiat Topolino from 1948. Second of the two AA / FA Fiats built and driven by Miles (the first was demolished in a race in 1964), it is best known for the photos of its 331 engine. Hemi grenading at the start line of the Lions Drag Strip in 1965.
These famous photos, taken by Ron Lahr and Jere Alhadeff, have been published in drag racing magazines and seen by thousands of enthusiasts. One of those enthusiasts was a 13 year old kid named Billy Corbett who figured he had to have the car. Unlike most kids who make similar wacky promises to each other, Corbett persisted. As Cole Coonce reported in his article, which first appeared in Elapsed Times magazine in 2015:
Jim Miles’ AA / Fuel Altered career has been inconstant and at times costly, but created friendships that lasted decades after the peak of Magic Muffler history. Billy Corbett grew up and started Corbett Classics, a company detailing historic cars. In 2003, he came to Jim Miles with a dream of recreating the spectacular, bitchin ‘race car he had seen in a drag racing magazine decades before. Together, they recreated the same spectacular Fuel Altered he marveled at in those old photos, building the chassis in the same garage where a busy kid on a bicycle stuck his nose 40 years earlier, to donate the Fiat’s surplus steel body from his father. Over time, much of the old drag racing community came together and got involved in the project. The recreation of the Fiat Magic Muffler was charmed, indeed. So much so that no one seemed in a hurry to finish.
“I built the car in six weeks,” Miles, 79, told Corbett. “It took you 10 years.” Miles should know that the genie only promised to grant his wish. He just didn’t say how long it would take.
In the years since its completion, Jim Miles’ recreation of the Magic Muffler Fiat has been seen as much, if not more, than the original. He has appeared at nostalgic drag racing events, the Grand National Roadster Show, and the HOT ROD photo studio where these photos were taken for the Elapsed Times article.
Recreate the Magic Muffler Fiat
Body painting
Body: Cal Automotive 1948 Fiat fiberglass
Bodywork: Mike Astramendi at Protech Performance, Burbanl, CA
Paint: DCC Concept one step, custom color by Masters Auto Paints, Simi Valley, CA
Painted by: Scott Kaiser and Bill Corbett
Lettering: Dennis Jones Custom Lettering, Whittier, CA
Frame preparation and painting: Jim Miles and Bill Corbett
Front Axle: 1 5/8 ” tube, Ford 1948 pins, hairpin spoke shafts
Hubs: 1934 Harley-Davidson VL, machined by Pat Thompson
Steering gear: Crosley
Rear: 1957 Oldsmobile solid-mount w / limited slip, 4.30: 1, Summers axle shafts
Rear Brakes: Hurst Airheart calipers, Cragar caliper brackets, H&M Speed Associates rotors, Derek Bowers lines
Fuel tank: Eelco 3 1/2 gallons
Front: Avon Speedmaster wheels, 19×2.75, restored by Black Bike, Reseda, CA
Rear: American Racing Magnesium Wheels, 16×10, Goodyear Blue Streak Tires
1957 Chrysler 392ci, 0.020 reamed, 4-bolt main bearing caps
Builder: Amos Satterlee, La Habra, CA
Crankshaft: stock 392
Connecting Rods: Aluminum Howards
Pistons: Ross 7.0: 1
Oil pump: stock
Distribution chain: stock
Distribution cover: Delta
Oil pan: stock
Camshaft: Chet Herbert 70
Lifters: stock
Push Rods: Clay Smith
Heads: Iron 392, Donovan 2.00 inch intake valve, 2.00 inch exhaust valves, Ansen water fills
Intake manifold: Weiand
Supercharger: GMC 6-71, operated by Don Hampton Blowers, 33% overdrive, 2 inch Isky muzzle, 2 inch belt
Injector: Enderle 1958 Barn Door Injector
Fuel pump: Enderle, 110gph
Fuel lines: recreated by Derek Bowers
Ignition: magneto Cirello
Headers: Enoch Muffler, Burbank, CA
Oil pressure gauge: 190s aircraft 0 200 psi
Transmission: direct drive. 11 inch Schieffer pressure plate, float plate, dual clutch discs. Schieffer aluminum flywheel. Early two-piece bellhousing.
Interior
Upholstery: Ray Griggs, Sun Valley, CA
Harnesses: Deist five point and two inch belts
Parachute pack: Deist
