Sunday, September 8, 2013

How about NASCAR themed full-sizes?

Popular Hot Rodding's "Project Talledega"- a 1975 Chevelle Laguna done up like Neil Bonnetts mid-70's racer is immensely popular with readers. Many other magazine's have featured Chargers done like Richard Petty's most famous racer and others have featured Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, and even Novas done in Trans-Am style. However-I think a unique ride would be early to mid-60s's full-size cars done in NASCAR style. After all, until the GTO took the world by storm in 1964-NASCAR racers and street performance cars were all full-size. Here's the best candidates in my mind. # 1. 1960-66 Pontiac. Whether it's a Catalina, Bonneville, or Gran Prix-these cars all have slick bodies and 389 cubes as standard equipment. There is a ton of aftermarket speed equipment for Pontiac V8s, and any aftermarket suspension or brake upgrades that fit an Impala will fit these cars. High Performance Pontiac featured a 1962 Catalina that was done as a tribute to Smokey Yunick's and Fireball Robert's Daytona 500 winner. It was way cool. # 2. 1960-66 Ford Galaxie. Most of these will have 390 cubes under the hood, and there is a ton of speed equipment for the old "FE" engine. ( Edelbrock even offers aluminum heads. ) The only downside is there is not as much aftermarket suspension or brake upgrades for these cars as there are for the GM offerings. # 3. 1961-67 Plymouth Fury / Belvedere / Dodge Monaco / Polara. Most of these will have 361 or 383 cubes, and a 440 or a crate Hemi would fit like it grew there. Of course you'd have to go Petty Blue and put number 43 on it. # 4. 1961-66 Chevy Impala / Bel Air. The reason the Chevys rank last is while the other three makes had big-blocks as standard equipment, most of the Chevys had 283 or 327 small-block power. 409s, 396s and 427s are rare and priced accordingly. On the upside, there is more speed equipment for Chevys than for anything else on the planet, and a Rat motor is an easy swap. You could build one of these relatively cheap because unless it is a 427 Galaxie, 409 / 427 Impala SS, 421 SD Catalina or 2+2, or a 413 / Hemi car-there not rare or pricey. There just and old "Big" car. With a lot of power and style.  Mastermind  

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