Built for Drag and Drive: Project Hustler’s Turbo 426 Hemi Takes Aim at Sick Summer
Dragzine’s Brian Wagner is stepping out from behind the camera and laptop to race a car that is Built for Drag and Drive!! They have dropped Project Hustler off at MoreSpeed Performance for a car Built for Drag and Drive. Brian is a longtime automotive enthusiast and has driven, photographed, and written about some of the coolest cars on the planet. Now it’s time for him to get behind the wheel and participate. With a goal of competing at Sick Summer 2026, the team at MooreSpeed Performance has a tall order to convert this car into an insane street car!
“Project Hustler”
Brian gives us the plans for the car, “Project Hustler is a 1952 Dodge Wayfarer business coupe. The goal is to build one gangster drag and drive car that will run in any class that it fits in. You’ll see the Hustler at events like the Modern Street HEMI Shootout series, Street Car Braggin’ Rights, Street Car Takeover, and The World Cup Finals. You might even see us throw on some slicks to do some NHRA Top Sportsman racing…
Jon Moore and the team at Moorspeed Performance are going to be playing an important role in getting the car built. He will be taking care of building the chassis and all the hardcore fabrication work. This is a joint partnership with his shop and will show just how talented he and his team are.”
“NASTY Turbocharged 426 Hemi”
To run at the front, you need a proven powerplant with gobs of power. And nothing screams power like a 426 Hemi! “The plan is to put a 426 cubic inch GEN 3 HEMI in the car. We’re working with Blackbird Performance to build a NASTY turbocharged engine. The goal is to make at least 1,600 hp to the tires. We’re going to back this combo with a TH400 transmission that’s built to take the power and survive drag and drive events.”
”I wasn’t actually looking”
Sometimes you aren’t looking for the right car, but then Facebook Marketplace strikes and drops it in your lap. Brian tells us “So, I found the car on Facebook Marketplace up in Battlecreek Michigan. The guy who had the car was going to restore it, but due to health problems and the scope of the project he decided it was too much. I wasn’t actually looking for this car, it just kind of found me and it worked. The car is in ROUGH shape, lots of speed holes and patina. The floors were already cut out, but it has enough metal included to rebuild them. It kind of turned into a garage cleanout for him because he threw in an old Dodge 360 with a five speed transmission, the original 318 and transmission that came in the car, an engine hoist, and media blaster.” We all know rust is nature’s carbon fiber, so we can’t wait to see how the team at MooreSpeed Performance keeps the current feel of the car, while also making sure it is solid enough to go really fast!
“Functionally Low”
The staff at Dragzine knows that cars have to look good, while also driving great if you are going to do drag and drives. Brian’s term “functionally low” is one of the best descriptions I’ve heard. “Up front we’re going to use a Mustang II style suspension with coilover shocks. In the rear, it will have a 4-link with a full floater rearend from Moser. It’s going to be functionally low to meet our goals.”
“Who’s Driving?”
The biggest question I had was “who gets to drive it?”
“I will be driving the car most of the time. There might be some guest pilots depending on the
event and if we’re bringing other Dragzine project cars.” So, be on the lookout for the guy in the helmet, he may also have a camera in his hand.
“When will we see it?”
The goal is to compete at Sick Summer 2026, which is just over six months (186 days) as of this writing and we will bring you updates throughout the build process. But, also make sure you are following Dragzine and Brian Wagner and MooreSpeed Performance for details on this car and all the other drag race related content provided by one of the leaders in the industry!
