my Dads brand new Hudson, changed cams and put 200 miles on it before the first race. Worked out ( note the masking tape on the headlights)
I've been down the rabbit hole of vintage NASCAR lately and have built a few models. If I could find a reasonably priced 57 Chevy 150 project it would definitely have some black widow nascar livery. I have Tim Flock's 55 Chrysler 300 waiting to be built. I also want to build a "Fabulous Hudson Hornet"
No, that’s my in-laws pool. I took those pictures when we had to live with them for 8 months when our house flooded.
I love this stuff..... I have found it very hard to find out the technology and how cars were built for Stock car and Nascar of the 40's50's and early 60's..... or maybe just looking in the wrong places. Excellent thread.
There really wasn’t much… Stock Cars were essentially stock with some weight saving measures combined with safety stuff… by the rules. Panamericana cars though… man, those dudes did some shit… brakes, suspension, and drivetrain were all game…
Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer's "MERCURY OUTBOARDS" stable of 1955 & 1956 Chrysler 300's: @Jive-Bomber Jay can confirm ... but I think it's pretty obvious that Tim Flock's #300 "DELAWARE VALLEY Dealers {KIEKHAEFER} MERCURY OUTBOARDS" C300: ... was the inspiration for "LEROY HEMIng" (the animated '55 Chrysler C300 in "CARS 3"):
I can tell you for one that I'm glad the old " Wrap a couple of gunny sacks around the driver's side top cage bar and tie it down with baling wire" technology has given way to better material. I've seen guys helmets crack after hitting the roll cage bar over the door.
5tz Stock Cars were anything but stock. The Panamericana cars were the toughest of the tough, true. But every OEM had a program. Info today is hiding in plain sight. Chevy' "Black Widow" Program started as early 55 (ever notice a 55 with 6 lugs ?? only on stock cars and those are not "truck hubs" on the front.) How about the Petty Oldsmobile, factory supported and full of go-fast parts to win the 1st Daytona 500. The Hudson's like Smokey's "Doc Hudson" was full of "Factory Race" Parts. I would suggest Jeff you search some of the race teams from back then and cars like Keikhaefer's Chrysler program. Check out Mercury's "Mermaid" Racing program ( I can't make this up guys)
Even by the mid fifties the "Stock" in the Strickly Stock (later Grand National) class was getting blurly. The factories had "Commercial" and for "Export" options which were thinly vailed ways to make racecar parts legal. Outside of NASCAR Grand National cars have you ever seen a 57 Chevy with the six lug rear axles, front hubs and wheels? Stock refers to stock body and frames, as opposed to purpose built racecars like midgets, sprints, and big cars (Champ/Indycars) Sportsman and Modifieds are Stock Cars. Junior Johnson at my home track Fonda Speedway Fonda NY.
@Jeff Norwell I seem to recall seeing at least a few articles in old magazines covering stock car construction. If I come across any of the articles I'll give you a heads up. They are definitely there.
Seeing the Robert Hamke name on the hood of the car brings back wonderful memories of a guy who was a short track chassis ledgent for many years, he was the man to go see if you needed a front clip or someone to set up your car chassis. After he passed on, I believe Kyle Busch purchased his old shop building and all the tools and jigs he used for many years. I happen to be in Mooresville one day with a friend who was having a New front clip installed on a Late Model car at Roberts shop, and we all went out and got lunch together. I don't think there were many people in North Carolina or the south who did not know Robert Hamke. He was very out going and if he thought you were full of shit, he told so to your face! Jimbo
Jeff, One of the many problems in finding information on the "Factory Racers" is many just didn't survive. Take for example Bob Wilborns 6-Lug '56 here. It ran both in the "Convertible" class as well as the "GranNational" (sedans). Twice the chance to get destroyed. Check out Wendell Scott with the driver of what look like a Keikhaefer 300
Up until this thread, a picture of a 55 or 56 Chevy with 6 lug wheels would have been deleted by the moderators because "chassis modifications are not allow on the H.A.M.B. and Chevy never made 6 lug car wheels". If I took the mufflers off my car, it would sound just like 80% of the 50s and early 60s Stock Cars. I prefer to keep what little of my hearing still exists. I took the roll cage out of my fake stock car after I banged my head on the cage a few times, but other wise, it appears like a period correct dirt track car. Its logged enough hard laps on a rough dirt track to add up to a feature race, but does not have any real race car experience. But, yea, post more 50s Stock Cars!
The 6 lug wheels were a part of the "Black Widow" package & as I recall (could be wrong) were listed in a G.M. published NASCAR equipment pamphlet.
What many don't realise is that in 56-57 Ford dominated nasca and many other forms of racing with their 312 y-blocks. They are a very underrated engine today.
I really have never seen that comment or any mod delete that facts… and if it is true… give me a example….. Anyhow… please don’t muddy this thread . I want to thank others that have pointed me in a few directions…I find this era so interesting because it was at a time…. That a small shop or a group of average folks could somewhat compete.
I seem to remember seeing an article in, I think, a late 50's/early 60's HRM about converting 9" Ford rears to full floating axles.
Being a 1961 Pontiac owner I've always fantasized about building a replica NASCAR in black and gold Smokey Yunick livery (like the 1962 model shown above). Years ago I was fortunate to meet Marvin Panch, who drove Smokey's 1960 Pontiac to win at Daytona in 1961 (Fireball Roberts was leading in a '61 Pontiac but blew his engine, and Marvin won driving the car left over from the previous year). In his retirement, Marvin built a replica of that car for himself and took it to shows for years until his passing.
There are a few guys who race vintage US cars at the Goodwood Revival in England, one in particular is a 1959 Thunderbird that is amazingly fast. I'd like to get a close look at that thing to see how it was built. (there have been previous discussions about those cars, here's one from 2019. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=42807 )
Portland, Oregon racer Hershell McGriff was invited to Daytona by Bill France and DROVE a stock '50 or '51 Olds 2 door sedan from Portland to Daytona, raced on the beach, and drove it back to Portland! I don't remember his finish, but as I recall, he did pretty well. Now THAT, friends and neighbors, is stock car racing!
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