Meet Jack Chisenhall, President of Vintage Air®
Jack Chisenhall, the president of Vintage Air, Inc., recently drove his highly modified '53 Studebaker through Bonneville's measured mile at an astonishing 219.585 miles per hour--with the air conditioning blowing at a steady 37-degrees! The pass took place at the recent United Salt Flat Racing Association World of Speed meet on Utah's fabled expanse of salt.
"I've always wanted to run 200 mph at Bonneville, and since my business is making air conditioners for cars, running 200 with the air on made sense to me," explained Chisenhall. "The car performed flawlessly. We ran with full street equipment--mufflers, gearing, air cleaner and all accessories. It was a real challenge to go fast, but at least the hot air doesn't bother me!"
The relative ease which Chisenhall topped the double century mark can be attributed to the design and construction of the Studebaker itself. Dubbed "A Cool 200", the Stude is one of the most sophisticated hot rod projects of recent years. Two years in the making, the '53 Stude features: a Vintage Air Air Conditioning System, NASCAR-style tube frame from Bob McCall Racing, a Donnie Anderson 705ci Chevy-style World Products V8 that pumps out 1000 horsepower, a Jerico 4-speed with Gear Vendors overdrive transmission, a Howe independent front suspension, and a Halibrand quick change rear axle. For improved aerodynamics, the top of the Studebaker was chopped 2-inches and all body parts were smoothed off, with the hood and rear quarter panels custom made by Frank Morawski owner of The Glass Shop. Troy Beardon handled the paint.
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