--- title: "This Rusty 1950s Milk Truck Is an 815 HP Drag Racer" description: "An Illinois-based enthusiast converted an old '50s milk truck into a drag racer by giving it a twin-turbo Chevy Big Block V8." date: "2022-05-29" modified: "2022-05-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-rusty-1950s-milk-truck-is-an-815-hp-drag-racer" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" --- # This Rusty 1950s Milk Truck Is an 815 HP Drag Racer ![]() It's not often you see milk trucks anymore, especially not ones ripping off quarter-mile runs at the local [drag strip](). Though, that's exactly what people are seeing in Manhattan, Illinois. Owner Nick and his dad found an ad for a rusty old milk truck at a swap meet and decided it was going to be the basis of the drag racer they'd always wanted to build. So they shipped it home, from Seymour, Connecticut and got to work immediately, stripping it apart and prepping it for drag racing. The only thing original on this old milk truck, which seems to be a '50s Divco Model 374, is its patina-covered body. All of the original hand-painted logos are still on truck, from the original dairy company that used it back in its day. Even the original driver's name is still painted near the front door. Everything else, though, was thrown out. Nick and his dad took the body off the frame and actually built a mostly-custom ladder frame for it. The front of the frame and the front suspension are from a '95 Chevy pickup but the rest of it was custom fabricated. ![]() Under the hood is a 496 cubic-inch [Chevy big block V8]() that's been twin-turbocharged to make 815 horsepower. It uses an automatic transmission, with gearing meant for drag racing, and its seats are from an old Dodge Caravan. It even has acacia hardwood flooring, pulled from a home flooring job, and speakers with a subwoofer. So despite being an 815 horsepower tin-can, it actually seems pretty easy and comfortable to drive. At the drag strip, Nick's hot-rod milk truck was able to reach 114 mph, which might not seem like much for something with over 800 horsepower and only 4,500 lbs to lug around. However, its low gearing and brick-like aerodynamics are likely the culprits to its relatively low top speed. While it's not likely going to win many drag races, it's such a laugh that Nick keeps coming back for more. Plus, it makes the older locals happy, as they see something from their childhood that's been transformed into something more fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIees9xhbjY ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()