#1178; Applekrate, do you have any construction shots of your Pontiac? X and ladder frame GM's were not like unitbody cars and were a whole lot harder to alter if memory serves me correctly. I'd like to see how you went about yours. A link to a site perhaps? Tom S. in Tn.
Yes, it was a lot of work and I do have lots of pics doing it. We did it as much as 1965 style would allow. There are so many pics, it would be time consuming to post here. Perhaps, one day will start a thread just on this car. Both front and rear axles were moved forward. Rear frame narrowed, wheelhouses widened and legthened, front fenders ( 'glass ) were stretched. I decided to use the stock a arm front end and, for now, do not plan to use a front bumper or a hood. Stock wheelbase is 115", it is now 112". The engine is roughly in the stock position relative to the cowl but, it looks set back because of the fender stretch. Rear end is a 9 1/4" Pontiac with parts from Fabcraft. Trans will use both a 400thm and a Lenco. I know the Lenco is not correct for the era but, I have had a new Lenco sitting here for 11 years since I bought it and I want to use it. Plus, it'll be cool pulling the levers. Engine will be different size Pontiacs, all blown and injected. The planned final engine is a custom desigin of my own. A '59 389 with a raised deck, bored and stroked to 577" and will use a 14-71. This mock up engine is in the car while taking pics.
#1183; " There are so many pics, it would be time consuming to post here. Perhaps, one day will start a thread just on this car." A dedicated thread would be dandy, if you could find enough time to hit even just the high points for us. Thanx kindly and would appreciate anything you could offer on this car; Tom S.
Here is what these tires look like. They say it is a new design tire copied from photos of the Firestone dragster tire of the day....and they are DOT approved too. size is 10.00 by 15 Is anyone here running these tires or famililar with them? I am fortunate enough to own a set of real Halibrad mags but, they are used on my AA/Fueler. Without the budget for a second pair of Halibrands, will use a polished set of vintage 15 by 10 Ansen Sprints instead. Would like to learn of other possible options for a street driven AWB Funny like mine concerning tire choice. Steve
Steve- I run them. So do many of the guys whom I have helped with their street-driven altereds. 25lbs. on the street, air 'em down to 14 or so for the track, and they launch just fine: http://public.fotki.com/bowtie0069/2011-irwindale-pix-1/10-13-11-irwindale-pix/img-7309.html http://public.fotki.com/bowtie0069/2011-irwindale-pix-1/10-13-11-irwindale-pix/img-7305.html http://public.fotki.com/teddisnoke/the-rosedale-rocket/freeway-comet-bmp17.html
Hubert, along with Gas Ronda, and a few other racers stopped by our AFX pit up at Bakersfield over the weekend during the 20th Reunion. Hubert is alittle hard of hearing but otherwise seemed to be doing well. They hung out, signed some stuff, looked over the cars, etc..
i have used radir tires on my awb see avatar. went 8.90 with them shut off at 1000ft. i soaked them in tire softener first also cut the tires to remove the two grooves. on my 31 blown chrysler i have the same tires and i drive it on the street all the time. i run 23lbs on the street and 14 lbs on the track. on my cars anything lower than 14 lbs. and the cars became loose past half track.
Thank you for your info, it is appreciated. It appears there are 3 choices- 1. the Coker Firestone Dragster 2. the Radir Dragster 3. or a more modern tire. It seems to me that the real 'pie crust' era was about 1961-1964. I realize that some cars used this design after '64 but, not sure if it was considered to be the 'Hot set up" by '65 and into 66/7 ( the real AWB era ). M&H Racemasters have been around since , at least the very early 60s and probably before. I did get to meet Marv Rifkin (sp?) before he passed. I also run the Nostalgia M&H 12 by 16s on my Nostalgia Top Fueler and are quite happy with them. Right now, I am leaning on buying a pair of DOT type M&H Racemasters. It is not a vintage design but, definately a vintage and historical company. The rear end parts should get here next week from Texas. Also, the tires, esp rears, being 'wear items', I will probably get the chance to try all 3 styles to see what I like best as time goes by. Just have to decide which ones to buy first. If anyone else cares to add, please do. It is all a learning process.
Just to get the juices flowing...... Someone having fun!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Qza3dvRa7EM
Nice article in the June 1965 Super Stock & Drag Illustrated mag. on the Butch Leal and Dick Landy cars
I've got a number of photos taken at various Southern California cruise nights and car shows of altered-wheelbase street cars. Is there any interest in seeing those?
The Mercury flip top cars were originally built to use the stiff pie crust style M&H slicks for the 66' season.
My buddy and I both run www.towelcityracingtires.com retread pie crust slicks on our AWB cars, and they look good and work good too. heres his S.S
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