Thanks for posting Denny! I see I was wrong about the Southern track he drove his Olds to, so I appreciate being set straight on that. It's pretty impressive to drive a street legal car that distance, race, and drive it back home!
Well speaking as a European I don't think US makers were interested in our scene enough to develop cars capable of winning here. When Ford decided it wanted to, the Galaxies destroyed Jaguar so bad it left motor sport for 14 years... Having said that, I see no reason why US cars set up for the Carrera Panamericana wouldn't have been competitive here, at least on the faster circuits.
It was not until the early sixties when American auto makers began making smaller framed vehicles did they really begin to become competitive in european racing. Ford did very well with the Falcon. However they still suffered the stigma from the post-war American circle-track racing in the fifties- a car races which is 2x the size, 3x the weight, 4x the price and 5x the engine displacement has hopes along the straightaways but still loses to the smaller cars in the curves. In the fifties though, most of it came down to the cost, though. Certainly in the UK post-war so few could afford to race a big American vehicle, certainly not a new one. Any new vehicle would almost certainly need some sort of sponsoring, and that was turning against the home market (in the fifties- with gasoline and even food rationing in place) and was seen as somewhat unpatriotic. By the time they were affordable they were so outdated it wasn't viable. Phil
Hudson had what was they called "severe usage parts" which were stronger wheels, axles etc. and of course the 7X engine. Smokey Yunick and Marshall Teague had a big part in developing these parts along with the factory. I talked to Jack Miller (Ypsalanti) before he passed away and he bought a few of these left over parts when they had an auction at Smokey's before it burnt down. Jacks book " Hudson Total Domination" has a lot of interesting stuff on the history of the cars, drivers etc.
@Jeff Norwell @Ryan , One of the things I remember about NASCAR safety in the early '60's was that the cars had to weigh the factory shipping weight, per Section 20-2. Another was that there were very few modifications allowed to the bodies including no additional bracing to the bumpers. There was literally nothing between that stock steel gas tank and the guy behind you but a pretty light rear crossmember and a bumper that bent really easy. Take a look at what happened to Fireball Robert's '63 Ford in '64. There were no mandated fire suits until after Fireball's wreck. 1963 NASCAR International Rule Book Specifications NASCAR Grand National Championship Circuit Section 20-1 -- Competing Models a. NASCAR Grand National Circuit races are open to steel-bodied 1961, 1962 and 1963 models of American-made passenger car production sedans with a minimum of 116-inch wheelbase, classified by NASCAR as Grand National cars. Cars under 116-inch wheelbase will be classified as Grand Touring Division cars, not eligible for Grand National competition. b. 1961-62 models--All makes and models of 1961 and 1962 cars will be allowed to compete under rules, regulations and specifications in force at the close of their respective championship seasons with the exception of changes in specifications as detailed in this Rule Book for 1963 competitions or until further notice in NASCAR Newsletter or official bulletin. c. 1963 automobiles--Eligibility requirements are as follows: c-1. Engine horsepower rating and optional equipment producing such ratings, including models, must be announced and in production, and listed in AMA specifications before December 10, 1962, in order to be eligible for competition in NASCAR sanctioned events; optional equipment released after December 10, 1962, including new models, must be announced and in production and approved by NASCAR in ample time so that such specifications may be bulletined to the NASCAR membership not less than 45 days before such equipment or models will be eligible for competition. c-2. Also, at least 100 units of any optional equipment that produces extra horsepower rating, or 100 units of any advertised models must be in dealers' hands for sale and NASCAR must be assured that the 1963 production-year schedules call for in excess of 1,500 units or models before such units or models will be allowed in NASCAR-sanctioned comeptitions. c-3. Manufacturers advertising performance achievements after any NASCAR-sanctioned racing event must include the horsepower rating and/or the type of special high horsepower producing equipment, or the model identified with any such special equipment, in any and all achievement advertising. Failure to include the horsepower rating or the special equipment or the specific name of the model to which such performance is readily identified in all advertising referring to achievements an any NASCAR-sanctioned racing event, may mean disqualification of such equipment for the remainder of the season and/or the loss of any championship point ratings as may be determined by NASCAR. c-4. The NASCAR name or emblem must be included in all printed advertising referring to these achievements; and radio and television copy must include that such achievements were made in events "sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Cars." (Instead of National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.) d. Special models of limited production may be classified as Sports Cars, and would then be eligible to compete only in the Sport Car or International events. NASCAR reserves the right to rule on special models. e. Special models of cars, such as two-passenger Thunderbird and Corvette, shall be deemed to be Sport Cars, and as such, eligible to race only in Sport Car, International and special events as listed in entry blanks. f. No jeeps, suburbans, staion wagons, or pickups will be permitted. g. Should 1964 models be available during 1963 championship season, cars will have to be approved by NASCAR. h. No changes from standard production automobiles or component parts will be permitted except as specified in the following specifications or by written authorization from NASCAR International Headquarters. Last Updated: 08/08/2009 00:03:30 1963 NASCAR International Rule Book Specifications NASCAR Grand National Championship Circuit Section 20-2 -- Bodies a. All cars must have complete bodies, hoods, fenders, bumpers and grilles in top quality condition. No aluminum, light alloys or fibre glass will be permitted as substitutes for steel for any parts of the bodies or bumpers. b. Cars must be neat appearing. Head lining may be removed, and if so, inside of top panel must be painted aluminum or white. Front door panels must be in place. In the event a car should be damaged from a wreck, it will be allowed one race only in the damaged condition, at the discretion of NASCAR official in charge. c. Bodies must not be cut, altered or lightened. Floors must be complete except for tire inspection windows; no tunnels or air ducts. Engine firewall must remain standard. Spare tire well may be removed but hole must be covered with metal and welded. Cars must weigh no less than factory listed shipping weight. d. Chrome and other parts may be protected with masking tape. Chrome mouldings may be replaced with chrome tape. e. All doors must be fastened in an approved manner. Cars must have doors bolted with not less than 3/8 inch bolts. Recommended method, see rear pages of this Rule Book. f. No streamlining allowed, such as headlights, radiator grills, top of windshields, under pans or gasoline tanks. Cars must remain standard in appearance. g. Fenders may not be cut or altered. h. Hoods must remain in original locked position and closed. All hoods must have a positive fastener on right front, left front and center. i. Trunk lids must be in operating condition so they may be opened, and must have a positive fastener on right and left. j. Hoods and rear deck lids must have operating original type hinges. Last Updated: 08/08/2009 00:03:30 1963 NASCAR International Rule Book Specifications NASCAR Grand National Championship Circuit Section 20-32 -- Identification a. Officially issued numbers must be at least eighteen inches high and neatly painted on both sides of the car. A number 36 inches high must be painted on the roof, reading from the driver's side. b. Numbers on car and division must correspond with car owner's registration card. c. A positive limit of 32 square inches is imposed on all decals or cohesive-backed emblems supplied by manufacturers for advertising or identification on Grand National race cars. Car sponsors or owners' names are limited to six (6) inches in height. Slogans will not be permitted. Last Updated: 08/08/2009 00:03:30
Some old Family Pics Kid Me in Dad's Car. Dad's last lap had three flat tires. But he won LOL Dad parking skills LOL I think Danbury Speedway
That was the same 50 Olds, stick shift, 88 two door, that he and Ray Elliot, won the La Carrera Pan America in.
I can guarantee you when inspected these 56 Fords all looked like this; minus my upgraded street parts. This the over the parts counter 1956 Ford dual quad 260hp package. In 1956 NASCAR mandated a “dry” air cleaner outlawing the oil bath for all manufacturers. All of them were Purolator and painted red. Ford was the only one with the top ridge. Since parts must be available to all and bolt on, Chevrolets were allow to use the trucks 6 lug wheels and brakes which were their biggest weakness. Ford, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chrysler products did not have this weakness.
Birmingham Fairgrounds stock car race 1954 311 Jazz Special Stock car racing and East Coast hot rods in the pits this may be the perfect vintage home movie!
The Jalopy Journal
