JERAULDS Y MANIFOLD STORY CONTINUED......
Here's an email I received from Charles from Dec 4th that I'm just now getting updated here so it's a little out of sequence..........
Thomas
I just found the Al Jerauld manifold & Jacob Bagnell story you posted on your GJ page.
I'm blown away at how this has become a story so many folks are following.
Well to up date you on whats going on... We have NOT found the Jerauld - Barber Belly Tank Lakester YET...
I'm sending emails to everyone I can find on the internet asking if they know where the car is today.
Posted a few times on H.A.M.B. with no results......
I got a lot of folks looking for this belly tank , if it is still out there were going to find it.
I have found lots of photos & info on the car .
It was featured in the sept 1952 issue of Hot Rod Magazine ( Scan of the 2 page article attached )
Al Jerauld & George Barber wanted to be different , everyone was going BIG , so they went small , small belly tank , small engine
In 1952 the car set the record for "O" class lakesters at Bonneville 115.53 Mph ( O class is 90 cid under)
It had a destroked & sleeved V8/60 flathead , 88.75 cid with 80 base horse power , running Alcohol & Nitromethane
1954 it ran 4th in "A" Class lakesters at Bonneville ( not sure what "A class" engine displacement was back then or the MPH it ran)
1956 it ran 160 mph at Bonneville ( not sure what class) , 120 mph at Paradise Mesa Drag Strip & 152 at El Mirage dry lake
Jacob & I went to JACK'S GARAGE in Fountain Valley Calif. a few weeks back. We talked to the old school dry lake guys ,
they knew about the Belly Tank but didn't know where it was today. They also knew of the Jerauld Y manifold ,but had never seen one.
Photo attached of Jabob & Jack Underwood at JACKS GARAGE.
Jacob & I are going to try to go to JERAULDS AUTOMOTIVE ( the old Jerauld Speed Shop) next Saturday. They have photos & info on the car.
i was contacted by Geoffrey Hacker , He has a web page called BELLYTANKS.COM ,
He is going to do a web article on the Jerauld - BarberBelly tank in December or January.
The manifold itself is still being restored & mounted on a black marble base,
The guys at Jacks Garage are going to hook Jacob up with 2 old Stromberg 97 carbs
& I'm going to make some carb scoops.
( I will send photos ASAP)
Someone posted on your GJ page that Vic Edelbrock made a similar Y manifold. As far
as we can find out , Al Jerauld made his Y manifold before Edelbrock put his out ,
A guy by the name of VERN TARDAL makes a Y manifold today & SO-CAL SPEED SHOP sells it on Ebay
It looks ALMOST EXACTLY like the Al Jerauld Manifold.
On Vern Tardel's web page he says his manifold is a copy of a “SCHOOLBOY'S” dual manifold. I haven't been able to find
photos or info of the schoolboy,s manifold . I'm going to contact Vern & see what info they have.
(I have attached a photo of Vern Tardel's manifold)
Well this saga & hunt for the Jerauld Belly Tank Lakester continues , will up date you when I have more
Thanks again for everything
Charles Chenowth & Jacob Bagnell
..........Charles also sent this picture and short caption.........
"Here is a photo of Al Jerauld & George Barber taken at Jeraulds Speed Chop in National city
Charles"
......Little did I know when I first saw that manifold in 2005 it would lead to all this.....

... and the best part is, it's all good.
There is still more background material as it relates to the Indy car that I'll get on here soon.
Thomas