Firefly: Bringing the Art back to Front Engine Dragsters

By Mark Gredzinski

Pat Foster’s point about the apparent ugliness of current Nostalgia Top Fuelers got me thinking.  I’m a designer and illustrator working in England and I’ve done many a quarter mile machine. 

Around 1992 I was thinking about the shape of a slingshot that appeared in England in the early seventies.  The car was called Firefly and was driven by Allan Herridge and Ron Picardo at various times, using a Garlits built iron 426 hemi.

The car had a distinctive fibreglass body, a pointy nose and a parachute shroud incorporated into the bodywork.  I sketched it out but never finished to as an illustration until inspired by Pat Foster’s comments.  I decided to get it completed at last.

So here it is, my take on a modern slingshot with dare I say, a couple of innovations like a recessed aero nose indent and a rear wing with hydro-formed struts.  It ain’t necessarily meant to be legal to the letter, as its just ideas.  Like there’s no blower restraints on for now since I like to see cars clean if possible.

Finally, the car was given the Firefly identity to give the car a finished look.

I hope Pat Foster approves!

Mark Gredzinski