Why Are Gassers So High?

With form being dictated by function, their appearance is often very top heavy and ungainly, largely due to front ends being raised higher than stock, to assist in the weight transfer during rapid acceleration (racing).

What is the point of a gasser?

"The point" of having a gasser was to be able to take a relatively stock bodied sedan, put whatever size or brand engine in it, along with mild body modifications, including chopping the top, and to have a class to run it in.

Why is a gasser called a gasser?

The term "gasser" is a riff on the NHRA's historical "gas" classes. (Read "Anatomy of a Gasser" here. ) Long before bracket racing, and before Stock Eliminator/Super Stock index racing, the gas classes were where competitors with gasoline-powered street machines raced.