The guy talking to the Grump looks like Dick Arons....... Anyone ever see his "trick launching" technique he used with the 396 Camaro Convertible........I think it was in SS/EA at the time......
Rich, Great article about Dick Arons and his 1967 396/325HP SS/EA convertible Camaro in the December 67' Super Stock & Drag Illustrated Seems the heavier car (convertible) was just what the doctor ordered, as he hooked up better at Southwest Raceway in 1967 at the World Finals than the lighter cars, as the traction was poor there. He made it the Finals, before Ed Miller in his SS/A 1965 A-990 Race Hemi finally put the big-block 396/325HP rag-top away. pc
The "In-Bomber" just fired for the first time, we only let it run for about 10 seconds. Waiting for some friends to drop by in a few hours to time it and change the jets. I'll take a video then and post it up. We're loading it on the open trailor in the morning and heading to York! -Dean
1969 Winternationals Stock Eliminator champion 17-year old Mark Coletti. I bet that is one kiss Mark never forgot! Pete
He would get the back tires spinning well before he left the starting line! I watched him do it at a race at Maple Grove.....back end was bouncing a little and tires started spinning as the tree came down (5 light tree back then).....Must have been a way to get the rpms up higher.....loose converters were not very loose yet.....I think he did pretty well that event but I doubt it was something he could perfect as it was pretty difficult to control the car.....I don't recall exactly what engine /trans combo it was. I am thinking a lower HP 396 with a Turbo......
Pete, Great photos. Mark Coletti is now 58 years old. Not bad for a 68' 340 Cuda (42 years old) It ran 12.80's all day long. His father Joe ran that car at the 68' Winternationals in E/SA, and lost to Jim McFarland in the famous 68' 340 S & M Cuda, in the E/SA Finals. You can still see Smokey Joe lettered on the door panel. By the way, wouldn't those girls make a nice Prom Date for Mark at 17. PC
I was also lucky enough to land in the winners circle at one NHRA national event and got to "smooch" Linda Vaughn and mug it up for Les Lovett and the other photograpers.....Linda was and is a great personality......she is the best and always was. She is always approachable and friendly. We used to always greet her anytime we saw her at big events and she always stops and is happy to speak with anyone........she's one of a kind. and I do remember her up on that platform on a Hurst Olds doing "her thing" for the crowd......WOW......There were some other woman that were something to see as well.....back in the glory days......I can't quite recall what company they were with but they definately got some attention on a hot summer day at a place like York...... I love those pictures of '58 Pontiac racecars. My first nice car was a '58 Pontiac 2dr hdtp Chieftain. White with a dark blue roof and side panels.....I ran some 14's with it driving it to the track. I even used it to tow our sedan delivery a few times. 4.56's were a littlle to steep for street driving though!!! Never got a tri-power for it. It had an AFB on it and I was always messing with it......Had a tricked out Hydro (built by Craig Muller) and shifted way to hard with the 4.56's on the street.........chirped the tires on some gear changes....
Fat Andy, It was a 1965 Chevrolet Impala 327/300HP. Car ran in I/S in 1968 (12.00-12.49). They were a little heavier than the 'Plain Jane" Biscayne and BelAir. His car couldn't get around that black 57' Chevy 283/270HP dual-quad. 'Long Way Home'
My memory batting average is way below the Mendoza Line, but didn't the Centolanza Brotheres run out of the Mountain Garage?
I feel your pain.....lol. I got close at 75&80 a couple of times against Larry but he always outran my 69 Corvette.
Islandworker, The Centolanza Brothers were based out of Mountain Garage, Highlland Falls, NY. Just south of Newburgh. Lou Pelligrinelli was the owner of Mountain Garage, liked racing and had a few Mopar connections. Sponsored the Centolanza's cars. Pretty much regulars at Dover from late 65' thru 73', when not at big meets. Started out with a 65' Valiant 273/235HP in D/SA in 1965. PC
Mr. Colesy, Wasn't there info on this thread about a 66' Valiant 273/180HP 2-barrel, that was the NHRA Record Holder in 1968, in N/SA. My mind says it was from the south somewhere. PC
Paul, I remember the Centolonza Bros. Belvidere, they ran on occasion at Island and I thought they also ran a black Hemi-Cuda (68) in super stock later on. Remember, my memory only is around 15%
Islandworker, Time for a Brain Valve Job, Must improve the flow. Their history. 65' Valiant 273/235HP; 65' D/SA, 66' E/SA, 67' D/SA 67' GTX 440/375HP; 67' SS/EA, 68 SS/FA 67' R/O Hemi Belvedere; 68' SS/DA, 69' SS/EA, 70' SS/DA, 71' SS/DA 71' Cuda Hemi (convertible); 72' SS/E, 73' SS/E 68' Hemi Cuda; 75' SS/A, 76' SS/A I think they took a break in 1974 PC
There was a SuperStock Circuit that ran some tracks around the Northeast. I don't recall what they called it but I was at one of the early races at Island Dragway right when SS was first formed.....Some very cool cars and I loved them at the time. This was around 1968 or 1969. SS/A to SS/J Stick and Auto SS/A was a big car Hemi Mopar....SS/J was A Z/28 Camaro A lot of good cars....Mopars...Fords...Mustangs...Camaro's Some very fast cars for the time and they put on a great show..... Pro Stock was not a class yet.....so SS by itself was a real good show. Each categorie had these circuits.... Gassers....Stockers...Super Stockers......usually always something to see while we were racing.....
Who ran the Rambler in the photo that P426 put up? Seems to me that someone was running a Rambler with a 327 from California named Preston Honea in the 60's.
Here it is guys! We only have 1st gear at the moment, but we made it in time as far as I'm concerned. We'll see you tomorrow in York, -Dean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edpB3atOxAw
The Jalopy Journal
