This isn't dead on trad hot rod...well maybe it is...Hell, I don't know. Anyway, there was a great story on Speed channel today about the Old Yeller, buick nailhead powered homebuilt sportscars by Max Balchowski from the late 50's early 60's. Kicked some serious**** against the ferrari and other high dollar sports cars of the era. Very cool story.
Does anyone remember what he said about the front suspension? Something about a stock control arm and shortening another. It went by so quickly that I wasn't sure what he said.
The upper control arm was from one car and the lower was a shortened piece from another car,but I don't remember what brands. What I thought was cool was the fact that he drilled out the suspension pieces not to make them lighter but to make them break in a collision so his frame wouldn't get bent.
The upper arms were Jag 120 and the lower were Pontiac shortened 4 inches (didn't say what year or model)
thats my buddy Russ Martin's Hero!! He's got old pix of that car and pics of him and Max...He's got all kinds of rare Nailhead molds and injection by Max...You Nailhead fans would love it!!
No one mentioned that he did all of Tommy Ivo's motors, and was considered the Buick guru of the 50's and 60's. Definitely a hot rodder. Mutt
Damn, I didnt know that Mutt, awesome info. I loved that episode of autorotica, SPEED channel has been gettin better lately. Greg
Maybe I should reword that statement - Tommy Ivo gave Max credit for what Tommy knew about Buicks. In several interviews Ivo gave Max the credit for his performance, and Max was mentioned in several old Hot Rod articles about buicks. If I can find them I'll post them. Mutt
The Jalopy Journal
