Charles Carpenter Racing January 2008 Update
Charles Carpenter Racing January 2008 Update
Work continues on Carpenter’s new Terry Murphy-built ‘55
(1-7-2008) BLUE SPRINGS, MO – When you have become known in some
circles as the “titanium man”, chances are you have somewhat of a
healthy obsession with the ultra-lightweight metal.
That is exactly what has happened with Missouri chassis builder Terry
Murphy as construction continues on Charles Carpenter’s next ’55
Chevy. The buzz generated from Carpenter’s selection of Murphy as the
builder of his new car created quite a stir around Carpenter’s
Charlotte, NC shop, but created an even bigger one at Murphy’s Blue
Springs, MO shop.
“It seems like after we announced I was building Charles’ car and that
the goal was to make it as light as possible, the phone has been
ringing off the hook with racers and builders looking for titanium,”
said Murphy. “We used a lot of it in my car and people took note of
that, but we are using even more in Charles’ car.
Murphy is not only utilizing copious amounts of titanium, but has also
methodically planned every inch of the car’s layout to be as light as
possible. “There is absolutely nothing there that doesn’t have to be,”
Murphy added. “We are going to be doing a lot of unique things, a lot
of out-of-the-box thinking as well. I’ve even got Charles on a small
diet. I don’t see how a car can be safely built any lighter.”
Right after a successful PRI show in Orlando, Carpenter made the trip
west to Murphy’s shop to get fitted in the car. “When I left
Charlotte, it was beautiful. Temperatures were in the high 70s,” said
Carpenter. “I get to Kansas City, and there is two feet of snow and
ice on the ground and it’s 20 degrees. The weather was unpleasant to
say the least, but once I saw all the progress that had been made on
the car and how good everything looked, the weather was the least of
my concerns.”
Carpenter spent four days getting fitted in his new ride, and work has
continued on the chassis at the same relentless pace since then.
“Beyond building a great car, it’s Terry’s and his crew’s work ethic
that has impressed me,” said the two-time ADRL Pro Nitrous event
winner. “I think they have taken one or two days off since I gave him
the green light to begin building the car in November.”
In a mere six weeks, Murphy has transformed raw tubing into an almost-
completed ’55 Chevy. Only small details remain, and Carpenter is
looking forward to taking delivery of the machine and getting it out
on the track for testing. Many fans have requested more photos of the
build, and in response a photo gallery has been set up HERE with
photos from Carpenter’s mid-December trip to Missouri. Much more work
has been completed on the car since theses photos were taken, all in
preparation for the car’s national debut at the Flowmaster American
Drag Racing League’s RacingJunk.com Dragpalooza IV in Houston, TX.
Carpenter has a little bit of history with that particular event.
“It would be special to debut this car at the Dragpalooza event and
hopefully do well with it,” said the “Father of Pro Mod”. “We went
down to Houston last year and won that race out of nowhere. That
really marked a turning point in my career. With support from Pat
Doherty, Paul Albino, Custom Autosound, Buddy’s Automotive, my crew,
and all the fans, continuing that trend in 2008 is our ultimate goal.”
Carpenter is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2008. For more
information about Charles Carpenter Racing and the World’s Fastest ’55
Chevy, or for a copy of the team’s 2008 Marketing Partnership Guide,
visit www.fastest55.com.
###
Michael Carpenter
Director of Marketing/PR
Charles Carpenter Racing
5817 Joyce Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28215
(704) 737-2299
www.fastest55.com
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