Racing in the early 70s
Racing days...good times.
'62 Chev Biscayne, two door coupe. 327 three and a quarter horse. Muncie 4 spd crash box. Headers and Firestone wrinkle walls.
Mission statement: If it [any component or fastener] dosen't hold it together or make it go faster, throw it out.
Budget racing back in the day included cutting everyother impeller blade off of the waterpump, having a switch to turn of the generator (that's generator as in DC). Loose the heater, radio, wiper motor, etc.
Saturday nights, Twin City Dragstrip, and some nights - Lake Street, University Ave, Central Ave. With stops at Porkies, and the Sun Drive Inn. Sunday morning, after an all nighter in the garage changing a broken; axle, or driveshaft, or transmission tailshaft. It was off to Minnesota Dragway, the offical NHRA strip.
It was always a heart pumper, getting staged and waiting for the tree to start flashing. Even with a Hurst Tee handle, my right hand knucles always would be bloodied on metal dash after getting from second to third.
I'm trying to remember, but I think I ran in the mid 12's.
Memories
In 1968 I was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Orlando. That was before I defected from the US Navy to the Air Force. I had a 66 Ford GT Fairlane, 390ci with tri-power (3 dueces). It wasn't much on top end with the rear end I had in it but it sure got from one red light to the next damn quick. I used to terrorize 396 Chevelles. I had it a couple years before I traded it in on a brand spankin new 1970 Dodge Charger 500 440 6 pack. Knowing what I know now, I sure wish I'd ordered a 426.
I had the Charger for years and was planning on giving to my son. By then I had one of the few mint Chargers left after that stupid TV show destroyed most of them. It was worth quite a bit by 1994 and keep in mind I was the original owner. Then.... along came my X wife AGAIN. She turned in front of someone at a red light and that was the end of my Charger. Yeah, this is the same X wife that also pawned my M-1 Garand National Match and my HBAR Match AR-15. I've replaced the rifles but no way I can replace the Dodge. Just as well I suppose. I seem to recall I spent about 2 hours working on it for every hour I drove it.
JJ
When I was 19, I had a White 396 Chevelle SS convertable, with a set of Mickey Thompsons jacked up, showing the American Flag that I painted on the gas tank. She ran a 850 cfm Holley and an Edelbrock manifold. Never new the rear end though.