Anthony Schumacher Follows In His Father, Top Fuel Racer Tony Schumacher’s, Tire Tracks.
Tony Schumacher T/A Rear End
“There is some place in a boy’s life that a car has to go faster and sound louder.”
When you’re a seven- time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, you know something about how to go fast. Son of the legendary ‘70’s Funny Car driver Don Schumacher, there are certain genetic need-for-speed tendencies that just have to pass from generation to generation. Such was the case with Tony Schumacher who decided that it was time for his older son, Anthony, daughter Jackie, and younger son Michael, to enjoy some of the car building and racing experiences that colored his youth.
“I think it is important for a young person to understand just what goes into making a car corner, brake and go fast,” said Tony Schumacher. “It’s important to understand things like how to select a well-engineered suspension and correctly sized brakes for an application. They need to know what makes a car got fast and why it performs like it does.”
So to build up Anthony’s first car, Tony left the kids to do their research. Their original concept of building up an AC Cobra was quickly discounted by dad figuring they needed something more substantial than a vehicle with a single hoop roll bar to protect the occupants. After a weekend in front of the TV watching old movies, Anthony got the bug to build a Smokey and the Bandit-style ’78 Pontiac Trans Am. This time dad approved.
First step was to comb the internet. Tony found a very nice 13,000-mile original ’78 Trans Am in Pennsylvania that looked to be the perfect fit. Shortly after negotiating with the owner, (a fellow drag racing and Schumacher fan), the car arrived at their home in Illinois. But as Anthony began to raise his Matco Tools to begin pulling apart their new prize, Dad stopped the project in its tracks – this car was too nice to modify. Time to start over.
Tony located a much less pristine but fairly straight Trans Am at Midwest Muscle cars in Lake Zurich, IL. not far from his home through a little local chasing. In a matter of a few weeks, they had a new candidate ready for brainstorming and teardown – and a host site at which they would perform much of the work.
“We began researching parts and determining how we would tackle the build,” said Tony. “Anthony was involved in all of the phone calls and meetings concerning the plans for the car so he could learn not only about the parts that it takes to build the car, but also the business side of the build. I had him talking with presidents of companies – such as the President of Heidts Hot Rods – to learn why we make certain modifications and how the parts work to aid the car’s final handling.”
The car was brought to Heidts where the interior and suspension were stripped down to install the roll cage and suspension. Next the car would be shipped back to the Midwest Muscle Cars for Anthony, Jackie and Michael to handle the bodywork and other component installs.
Continued Tony, “From there it will be just like Mr. Miyagi’s workshop from The Karate Kid with his kids handling the body work, interior modifications, wiring and engine compartment details. To help with the hard stuff, Dick Maskin will build an all-aluminum Dart 582-cid, 900hp big block Chevy engine, Heidts will cover the suspension and roll cage and a host of other parts will be delivered for Anthony and Jackie to install.”
Heidts Hot Rods will document the build up of the Trans Am over the next few weeks with a full reveal when the car is complete. In the end, the Schumacher’s will have both a Resto mod and an original Trans Am to drive around their compound. Trans Ams – plain and cool – either way, Anthony, Jackie and Michael will know how they work – and why they go!
Tony Schumacher T/A Front End
Tony Schumacher T/A Control Arm