I'm looking for pics, stories, rumours... whatever shows Plymouths (or even Dodges) racing at the dry lakes, el Mirage, Bonneville etc in the forties and early fifties. What I specifically look for is racing a '37 Plymouth coupe such as my own. Russetta Timing Association, founded 1948, allowed racing with coupes and I guess there must have been at least ONE guy trying to surprise everyone with a flat six. Please help me find some information and don't just give me stories of the all mighty Fords ;-)
Cotton Owens with a 331 Hemi equipped '37-39 Plymouth coupe were almost impossible to beat in the early fifties Modified Stock Car racing with approximately 100 wins those years. Sent from my SM-A300FU using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Goddammit!! Probably the first pictures I've seen from old times, and still with the flat six!! You got any story, origin or else regarding these pics?
I just know they're from the Life magazine collection, and that the girls in the jackets raced it, apparently they had an all girl car club that was fairly active called the Lady Lucks. Here's another angle pic I just found, hadn't seen it before. Juding by the plate and the car next to them, taken in 1957 in Nebraska.
I ran a four cylinder Plymouth flathead at the lakes quite a bit. In a Ford roadster though. Good engine.
Not to long ago. Ford is shown to the left. Plymouths are pictured here. Both OHV and flathead versions.
Sorry I wasn't updated... what you guys do is awesome!! Thanx for opening my eyes That flat 4 Dodge find must be the holy grail among fourbanger motorheads. Thank you for beating up those Fords ;-) My flat six is a "long-stroker" with lots of torque but not so high RPM's but I love that.
You like the Montana Dodge Boys and MoPar Flathead six engines. How about their F head conversion for the Flat six?
The infamous George Asche, of AoK Racing, been building hi-perf Chrysler flathead 6s since 1949, and continues to this day. George is 84, builds engines, split exhaust multi carb intakes, cam grinds etc. George Asche Jr at Daytona in 1955, with his 265 powered 1929 Desoto Roadster, he hit a top speed of 142 mph. He and his 265 powered Chrysler flathead 6, were undefeated by all, including the newest V8s and a 12 cylinder Jag. George still drives this car and like he stole it, who ever thinks these engines were slouches in there time are dead wrong..
Guys I edited my previous post to reflect accuracy with the date being 1955 not 1952, and this was not a record, but a race on the beach...
all of which proves that Hot Rods are Hot Rods. They don't need to be a belly button powered car. Flathead Ford or SBC. It should be fun, challenging, Teach you something and convert money into noise.
No mention of EDGY Speed Shop? Isn't he the builder of the "F" head conversion? Site shows quite a few items for the Mopar 6's.
Anyone knows how to link my request to (Don) Rockerhead, HAMB-member? He might have some information regarding my request for Mopars at the lakes from late '30s to early '50s. I think he's got a lot of knowledge of Russetta TA and he also participated in the races.