This dragster was custom built around a WWII era Ranger V-770 aircraft V12, and is said to have run a very impressive ET of 7.03 at 212 MPH before the end of the decade. Initially run as the Green Monster by Walt Arfons, it was later raced under its current White Lightning guise by his son-in-law Fred Sibley. Last raced in the 60’s, it was later found in Sibley’s barn and looks tired but complete. Even as a static display, it’s still a fascinating machine, particularly its 12.6 liter, air-cooled V12. Find it here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio with no reserve and fast bidding.

Apart from the extra wide mid-section designed to accommodate the approximately 750 pound engine, construction looks pretty much standard for the day with a long, tubular structure, rudimentary front suspension and the driver slung out way in back behind relatively skinny slicks. Arfons was an aircraft engine drag racing pioneer, and normally preferred the substantially larger, more powerful and higher production Allison V-1710. One of his Allison-powered rigs is said to have been the first to reach 150 MPH on a quarter mile strip.

Smaller and less well-known but equally interesting, the Ranger V-770 shown here was originally designed to be installed in aircraft inverted, but was somehow adpated to run upright by Arfons. Ranger built several variants, with output ranging from 520 to 700 HP. Air-cooled with a single overhead cam per bank, we imagine that this one was making significantly more power than standard, most likely as a result of its original single-speed, single-stage supercharger being tuned to provide more boost.

The video above shows it running at the Osceola Dragway, not far from Sibley’s Indiana barn where it was found. Even with no sound to enhance the sense of speed, the car appears to move with incredible quickness once bump-started by an old pick-up. It’d be fantastic to see restored to running condition, but limited Ranger parts supplies and prohibitive costs will probably relegate it to permanent exhibit status–we’d happily pay $10 to soak it all in up close.