Re: 1960s-1970s Drag Racing Pix
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3093844
11/13/22 01:26 AM
11/13/22 01:26 AM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 348 Red Deer, Alberta
Greenwood
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 348
Red Deer, Alberta
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I knew one Ford Racer, Ted Wells, that had one of the 50 1966 lightweight Ford Fairlane that Ford had assembled and prep for drag racing only, his was a 410 HP with a single four barrel originally. We were talking about engine RPM during a rain delay at the Orange County track back in 1975 or so, I was racing my 1970 Cuda stick shift 426 Street Hemi motor and he ask me what RPM I shifted it at and cross the finish line I told him I let the clutch out above 6000 RPM with throttle on the floor and shifted it at 7000 RPM with 5:38 gears and 9x30 inch bias ply Firestone slick it would cross pretty close to 7000 RPM in the 1/4 mile. He told me he let his clutch out at 8800 RPM and shifted around 8000 RPM and cross above 8000 RPM I didn't have a clue how high those 427 FE motors would rev I saw Jim Van Cleve's 427 Fairlane run at Seattle in 1980. He told Al Lee that he left at 8500, and it sounded like it. That was a fun car to watch. I was told about a pairing he once won against a Chevy that ran down in SS/MA or thereabouts. Van Cleve missed the shift into third. The driver of the slower car spotted the nose drop in his mirror, and clicked it off with several hundred feet of track left. Van Cleve, having shut his engine off, heard the other car shut off.Thinking quickly he grabbed a gear and legged it. The Chevy guy couldn't get his fired as quickly, and Van Cleve took the stripe by about a fender or less.
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Re: 1960s-1970s Drag Racing Pix
[Re: Greenwood]
#3093856
11/13/22 04:49 AM
11/13/22 04:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,382 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,382
Park Forest, IL
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That was the car that at times carried the front wheels through 3rd gear right? Car is still around.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: 1960s-1970s Drag Racing Pix
[Re: Greenwood]
#3094204
11/14/22 06:36 PM
11/14/22 06:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,041 New Jersey
Qwik426
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,041
New Jersey
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I knew one Ford Racer, Ted Wells, that had one of the 50 1966 lightweight Ford Fairlane that Ford had assembled and prep for drag racing only, his was a 410 HP with a single four barrel originally. We were talking about engine RPM during a rain delay at the Orange County track back in 1975 or so, I was racing my 1970 Cuda stick shift 426 Street Hemi motor and he ask me what RPM I shifted it at and cross the finish line I told him I let the clutch out above 6000 RPM with throttle on the floor and shifted it at 7000 RPM with 5:38 gears and 9x30 inch bias ply Firestone slick it would cross pretty close to 7000 RPM in the 1/4 mile. He told me he let his clutch out at 8800 RPM and shifted around 8000 RPM and cross above 8000 RPM I didn't have a clue how high those 427 FE motors would rev I saw Jim Van Cleve's 427 Fairlane run at Seattle in 1980. He told Al Lee that he left at 8500, and it sounded like it. That was a fun car to watch. I was told about a pairing he once won against a Chevy that ran down in SS/MA or thereabouts. Van Cleve missed the shift into third. The driver of the slower car spotted the nose drop in his mirror, and clicked it off with several hundred feet of track left. Van Cleve, having shut his engine off, heard the other car shut off.Thinking quickly he grabbed a gear and legged it. The Chevy guy couldn't get his fired as quickly, and Van Cleve took the stripe by about a fender or less. I love hearing stories like this. Watching stick cars run before the era of 2-step rev limiters was the best.
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Re: 1960s-1970s Drag Racing Pix
[Re: Qwik426]
#3095119
11/17/22 10:11 PM
11/17/22 10:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,877 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,877
Bend,OR USA
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Jims Maverick was fast also. I bought several sets of used tires with 3 or 4 runs on them from him when he was racing the Maverick in B/SM in Modified Production. He was on the deal with Firestone back then and would change them after 3 or 4 runs Good guy, L.A. County full time Fireman also.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: 1960s-1970s Drag Racing Pix
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3095143
11/18/22 02:26 AM
11/18/22 02:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,041 New Jersey
Qwik426
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,041
New Jersey
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Jims Maverick was fast also.I bought several sets of used tires with 3 or 4 runs on them from him when he was racing the Maverick in B/SM in Modified Production. He was on the deal with Firestone back then and would change them after 3 or 4 runs Good guy, L.A. County full time Fireman also. I was going to mention that. I didn't know Jim was a fireman too (like "Big Jim" Dunn).
Last edited by Qwik426; 11/18/22 02:29 AM.
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