Best Pontiac Powered Stockers

[BRINK]

Originally Posted by oldskool

Well, we've mentioned all the GTO's, in order, except the last one. For '74, the GTO was an X-body, and had a 350 engine.

But, as drag racers are known to do, some guys decided to see what they could get out of the '74 GTO. So, there have been a few '74's that did very well, including some record holders.

I think I've mentioned this, but the first to run a '74, that I'm aware of, was Rock Running. Think I posted a pic of his Super Sleeper '74 GTO.

Al Vanis won Indy with a Ventura II. It wasn't a real GTO. But, NHRA allows the same engine in a plain '74 Vent. So, for this discussion, there is really no difference. You can even run this engine in a 4-door Vent, or most any 2 or 4-door Lemans.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...px?ENGINE=2088

Bill Rink's '74 GTO is listed as the J/SA class winner at the 2005 US Nats.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop

He qualified #21, with a 1.141 under, 11.609.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop

The quickest '74 GTO Stocker, that I know of, belongs to Brad Koivisto. I'll look it up, but I think he ran some low 11's this year.

So, Rock Running's Super sleeper won class at the US Nats. Al Vanis won Stock at the US Nats, in a '74 Vent, the Duttweiler Automotive '74 GTO was class record holder for 5 years straight, from 1991 thru '95, & Bill Rink won class & was #21 qualifier, at Indy, in '05. That ain't a bad showing for the little 350 powered X-bodies.

Brad Koivisto ran a .939 under 11.211 at this July race, to qualify #6. So, I'd say the '74 Pontiac GTO was competitive in the the mid '70's, the first half of the '90's, the early 2000's, & still is, today.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r=100#indextop

Will be lookin for more info & pics of '74 350 powered Pontiac X-body Stockers. So, anybody with info and/or pics please post that info.

I'm proud to say that I was the dumb *** that put 27 horsepower on that combination in Stock over a 12 year period. From 250 to 277. That's the reason I switched over to S/S in 2008.

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by BRINK

I'm proud to say that I was the dumb *** that put 27 horsepower on that combination in Stock over a 12 year period. From 250 to 277. That's the reason I switched over to S/S in 2008.

Yeah, I'd heard you were responsible.

I think they give Bob Aceves the credit for the 8hp hike in the '68 Bird 330hp car. I could hardly believe it when I saw that they just took 5hp back off that combo.

I've noticed that sometimes the exact same engine will have a higher factor in different body styles. One of those is the 1977 400 180hp engine. It gets 283 in a Bird. But, you can run it in anything else at 260hp. I suppose there were certain cars running real quick with that combo, that caused the hit.

But, from what I've read here, it's not just Pontiac engines that get this treatment. I reckin it just depends on which body styles are makin the noise.

[RacerET]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Sam Biondo in Grey Ghost and Phil Monteith in orange 69 Firebird.

That was the late Butch Di Lorenzo driving the grey ghost that weekend.

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by RacerET

That was the late Butch Di Lorenzo driving the grey ghost that weekend.

I have a pic of a Bird with Biondo on the door. I now have a recent pic of a similar lookin car I have labeled as Dylan Biondo. It has Biondo & DiLorenzo on the window.

Anybody have more info on this car ?

Also have a pic of a Bird with DiLorenzo Racing on the side. Anybody have more info on this car.

When I say "info", I don't mean JUST who built it, & who all has owned it. I mean performance & race results, also.

[RacerET]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I have a pic of a Bird with Biondo on the door. I now have a recent pic of a similar lookin car I have labeled as Dylan Biondo. It has Biondo & DiLorenzo on the window.

Anybody have more info on this car ?

Also have a pic of a Bird with DiLorenzo Racing on the side. Anybody have more info on this car.

When I say "info", I don't mean JUST who built it, & who all has owned it. I mean performance & race results, also.

Its the same car Butch & Richard Di Lorenzo raced that car and when Butch passed away Peter & Sal Biondo took over racing that car with Dylan driving it now.

[Dave Ley]

Hard to believe in all of these posts no mention of one of the most diehard Pontiac guys of all time, Phil Szupka. A true Pontiac historian and expert who had a string of real fast Pontiacs !

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Dave Ley

Hard to believe in all of these posts no mention of one of the most diehard Pontiac guys of all time, Phil Szupka. A true Pontiac historian and expert who had a string of real fast Pontiacs !

Sorry, but I've never heard of him. But sounds like a good guy to include. So, any of you guys who have info on his cars, please post it.

You guys have to understand, I live in the deep South, where there has been no class racing, with only a very few exceptions, for a LONG time. I have never lived near any of the big tracks, and areas where there is lots of class racing. So, there may be LOTS of Pontiac racers who I have never heard of.

So, I'd like for you guys to help us get all the good Pontiac racers' info posted here, for all to see.

PS: I have since talked to Phil, by phone. Seems like a nice guy & obviously knows a lot of drag racing history.