Whoa, This 1968 Volkswagen Truck Runs The Quarter Mile In 8 Seconds!

A 1968 Volkswagen Truck put on an incredible show at the UK's Santa Pod Raceway, where drag racing is a major attraction. Imagine this: despite having fuel problems, it completed the quarter mile in 8.88 seconds. 

The genius behind this beast is Alex Leiserach, and this VW Truck is one of the early single-cab VW pickups. It's got cool features like a four-speed sequential transmission, a CO2-controlled boost staging brake, and a parachute. And here's the kicker—it weighs only 2,446 pounds, driver included!

Let's pop the hood and check out what makes this truck tick. It's powered by a Pauter-sourced motor built with precision from billet. The engine is a turbocharged flat-four, thanks to a Precision Gen 2 6466, and it runs on methanol while keeping its air cool. To keep that turbocharger happy, a custom three-inch tube connects a snazzy aluminum coffin airbox to a big intake vent at the front.

The truck grips the dragstrip thanks to custom double-wishbone suspension both in the front and back. And here's a fun fact: the exterior of the truck is all original, with the same color and factory stickers on the fuel lid. Now, let's talk about the Santa Pod runs in late May this year. The day was coming to a close; the excitement was palpable, but then drama struck—an engine failure on the final run. It could have been a downer, but not for Leiserach.

He's optimistic, saying this isn't the end. Breakdowns? Well, they're just part of the wild ride in the world of racing. This 1968 VW Truck's journey at Santa Pod Raceway is a shining example of the tireless creativity and deep passion of car lovers. They're not just pushing boundaries; they're smashing them, proving that in the exhilarating world of drag racing, the sky's the limit.