Best Pontiac Powered Stockers

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by TOM KASCH

...Ace Wilson Pontiac in 1962

Yeah, I think that may have been a '63 Catalina, since the headlights are vertical. Looks like they ran it in an FX class. Assuming the early FX rules were more similar to Stock or SS rules than to the later Modified rules.

[Mike Jones]

From georgeklass.net

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

From georgeklass.net

Yeah, there are several of those classes from the early '60's that I still don't understand the rules for.

So, exactly what was the difference between classes like S/S, OS/S, & A or B/FX. Can anybody here explain the rules for all those classes ?

Here's the best explanation I've read, so far.

"...The factory drag wars were just heating up in 1961, and for the Nationals, the NHRA introduced the Optional Super/Stock (OS/S) class for cars using special factory components that were not yet factory equipment...In 1962, OS/S became the Factory Experimental (FX) category..."

For Pontiac, I suppose those "special factory components" would have been 421SD parts, which were not an option on the body being raced.

[oldskool]

Besides the S/S, OS/S, S/SA. A/FX, & B/FX classes that have already been discussed, the old big Pontiacs ran some regular Stock classes, too. Below are some pics of big Pontiacs, in several Stock classes. I suppose that all these cars had some form of either a 389 or a 421 engine.

[Mike Jones]

My machinist friend passed away unexpectedly over the summer. His widow sold off most of his equipment. Customers have received their parts back and the shop is almost empty. I don't know exactly what is left, but there is a cache of Pontiac stuff unclaimed. If anyone is interested, PM me.
Mike
A114

[oldskool]

After giving it some consideration, I've decided to include the very early S/S, OS/S(& similar designations), as well as the early FX classes, in the Stock section.

The main reason for this is because, as I understand it, the engines & engine parts were all Pontiac factory parts, with GM part numbers. And these parts actually came on later Pontiac model cars, which could be bought by the general public.

So, in light of the fact that the FS cars, from recent years, are included in the Stock class, I feel that those early classes are just as, if not more "stock", than these late model FS engines.

Don't think those early model engines were allowed to have aftermarket parts, such as aftermarket intakes & roller cams. Hey, I could be wrong. But, anyhow, I'll include those early classes in this Stock section. For those who disagree, you can consider 'em Super Stock cars, if you wish.

I don't know who raced the 1st Pontiac, in any of those classes. But, 1962 is the 1st year that comes to my mine. I think I've already mentioned a couple of these cars. The 1st that comes to mind is the little 421 powered M/T Tempest. It won the A/FX class at both the Winter Nats & the US Nats, with different drivers. Also, the wife of the US Nats driver, won the S/SA class, in a full size Pontiac.

Then, in '63, Pontiac actually installed the 421SD engine into several Tempests & Tempest wagons.

[oldskool]

I have no idea how many of these classes Arnie Beswick ran. But several, for sure.

[oldskool]

Found a few more Pontiac Stocker pics. The White bros raced in both Stock & SS. They ran one or more early '70's A-bodies. They'd swap front metal, so they could run as a '71 T-37, a '71 GTO, or a '72 GTO.

Also found a pic of a B/S '65 GTO, sponsored by Stan Long Pontiac.

[oldskool]

Gary Moore had several Pontiacs named "Acre Maker".

The White bros also ran a '71 Formy.

The last pic also shows an early '70's Formy, with a real good pic of an old 5-Amber tree, like we used back in the '70's & '80's.

[oldskool]

One thing I've learned from these Pontiac threads is how some of the cars are passed on & raced by the next owner.

This is one of those stories. We went to the IHRA World Nats, in Amarillo, back in '75 or '76. We saw & made a pic of a '68 Bird. It had Lyndel Warren on the side.

Just found out, from this article, that Lyndel had bought the Acre Maker II '68 from Gary Moore. Set records & won races with it. Later, he also bought the Acre Maker Formy & was #1 Qualifier at the Winter Nats, in '78.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0408...tiac-firebird/

Lyndel named the 2nd gen car the "Coke Machine", I assume because he worked for the Coke soft drink company.