A990 Super Stockers

[HEMIDARTDAVE]

Does anyone know of a black '65 Plymouth A990 sold new in Belmar, NJ ?

[mopar68]

Nope. But I've been to Belmar several times.

M68

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by a990hemi

Shirl Greer's A-990 Coronet did not retain its factory built sheetmetal for very long.


This is how it looked towards the end of the 1966 racing season.

Now that's 'funny.' Just joshing...it's sad, really. Why not start with a six-cylinder or car from the wrecking yard that was written off by the insurance company (but still fixable) if you're going to butcher it? I know hindsight is 20/20 but still, these racers had to know that these were factory special, low (as in very low) production models.

M68

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Son of Hemi

I know the Bagwell Red car and the Leal 65 A990 from the 70's is the same car, but is the Bagwell Blue car the same?

Yep. From what I remember reading in a mid-1970s issue of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated magazine once upon a time many moons ago, someone by the name of Skeeter Hernandez (from Maryland) owned Leal's ex-SS/B racer (for a while) then it found its way into Steve Bagwell's racing stable.

M68

[wv_bob]

Originally Posted by mopar68

I know hindsight is 20/20 but still, these racers had to know that these were factory special, low (as in very low) production models.

My 69-1/2 road runner isn't that rare, and isn't that cut up, but I talked to Arlen Vanke about it since the mods were done in his shop and he said it was just the way it was. Nobody thought twice about it, they just wanted to race.

[a990hemi]

Originally Posted by mopar68

Now that's 'funny.' Just joshing...it's sad, really. Why not start with a six-cylinder or car from the wrecking yard that was written off by the insurance company (but still fixable) if you're going to butcher it? I know hindsight is 20/20 but still, these racers had to know that these were factory special, low (as in very low) production models.

M68

One has to consider that the 11 factory built hardtop A F/X cars became the hottest money making tool for a touring drag racer in '65. The fastest way for an independent racer looking to capitalize on the new funny car craze was to buy an A-990 sedan and move the wheelbase forward. Time was of the essence since everyone was scrambling to get a match race funny up and running. None of these cars were ever designed to last more than one season so it's amazing how many of them are still accounted for.

Originally Posted by HEMIDARTDAVE

Does anyone know of a black '65 Plymouth A990 sold new in Belmar, NJ ?

I bought a black 65 out of ny in 1979 that belong to 2 ny city policeman brocco & taylor but would have to ck my book to see where it was delivered new.

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by a990hemi

One has to consider that the 11 factory built hardtop A F/X cars became the hottest money making tool for a touring drag racer in '65. The fastest way for an independent racer looking to capitalize on the new funny car craze was to buy an A-990 sedan and move the wheelbase forward. Time was of the essence since everyone was scrambling to get a match race funny up and running. None of these cars were ever designed to last more than one season so it's amazing how many of them are still accounted for.

Yes, I know, but I still stick to my original argument: why butcher (not merely modify) a LOW production factory S/S car? I surely wouldn't have done it, especially if I parted with my hard-earned bucks to buy the car in first place, 20/20 hindsight notwithstanding, and which answers a question that I didn't ask (i.e., cars were obtained with little or no money out of the pockets of respective racers responsible for such automotive sacrilege). The fact that many of them are still accounted for proves that sanity did prevail at least in some (or more) cases.



M68

[a990hemi]

We must also recall that for every factory backed altered wheelbase hardtop car modified at Amblewagon, 1 genuine A-990 sedan was sacrificed for drivetrain and interior parts. Independent racers were simply following what the Chrysler Corporation had already done. This was the fastest and most economical way to obtain the drivetrain required for a match racer.

[Mr belvedere]

I have seen first hand what some did to these cars and its not good ,everything was cut out and hacked off makes me sick