55-57 Stockers?
 

Since I am back, building a 1965 Impala big block 396-325 stocker right now, I noticed the rules now allow cars as old as 1955. Is there anybody out there running an early Chevy in stock today. With all the "nostalgia" racecars around it just seems somebody would build a legit NHRA stocker. Just curious.

Will Lamprecht
1965 H/I/J Impala

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Hey Will...
Seen a 55 Chevy using a crate motor and 1957 in H/PS last year.
Very nice pieces.

BTW..my chassis on my 1969 is getting cleaned and powder coated.
Going to reinforce the frame from your picture.
Do you have any more frame reinforcement pics?

D

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I am running a 1955 Chev Bel-Air 2Dr Hdtp in NHRA Q/SA. It's a factory rated 180hp, NHRA rated 200hp WCFB 4 bl 265 with a 2.18 low gear powerglide and 5.86 12-bolt rear. This year I ran the National Open at New England Dragway in NH and the Div 1 points meets at New England and at Lebanon Valley Dragway in NY. Also I run in the All Star Racing Association Stock/Super Stock 6 race circuit at New England and Lebanon. The car runs 13.2's, 3's and 4's on a 13.80 index depending on weather conditions. I'm glad NHRA brought these cars back. I wish there were more of them out there.
Carl Libucha

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Got a friend who has a 57 283 220 maybe a good O/SA car.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

The carbs and intakes hurt these combos. But, they peg the cool meter!

Wade

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Wade, I know you kick butt with a 4bbl 283, what are your thoughts on a 2bbl version, in say a 66 Bel Air 4dr?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

The 66 Chevy Biscayne with a 2 barrel is a U/SA at 3570 pounds. I would say it should run about 4 tenths under the 14.85 index. In 1983 Robby Robinson " Heavy Hitter 66 Wagon ran 14.95 in U/SA. In Jan of 2011 the horsepower on that combination went from 195 to 170, a nice gift.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Good to know, I saved one from the crusher, I'll keep it in the back row...

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

The aftermarket makes new 55-57 chassis, body shells, doors, hoods, trunks and interior parts.

Would a new build be acceptable in Stock today?

Dan

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Some one built a 69 camaro using all new parts. So I would think you could to the same thing with tri-fives if the chassis looks right. Sounds like a 100,000.00$ stocker.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

QUOTE=Dan Fahey;395900]
The aftermarket makes new 55-57 chassis, body shells, doors, hoods, trunks and interior parts. Would a new build be acceptable in Stock today?

Dan
[/QUOTE]

The bodies are correct but no one makes a stock replacement frame that I know of. All the aftermarket frames are Pro Touring or Gasser designs, therefore not legal for Stock or Super Stock. You can still buy a decent '55-57 roller for under $20,000. An aftermarket body alone would cost you that much. As Tony said it'd likely become a $100,000 Stocker before it was done.

BTW, Real Deal Steel in Florida sells the bodies and have more models about to be added to the lineup.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

What is considered to be the best combination for these cars, 265, 283 or 327?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

A 327 wasn't available in those years, so the only way you could run one is in SS/GT. The 283 combos would be '57 only.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

My bad, I thought the 327 was available for 1957. What combo did Jere Stahl run in his D/S '57?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I'd give a serious look at the FI 283's! Expensive but I know it can be done.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

327 started in 62 just saying not picking on.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

--------------------------------------------------------------

NHRA Records set in 1964 thru 1967:
1964: G/S- 56 Chev Wagon 245HP - 2x4 brl

1965: D/S- 57 Chev 150 sedan 283HP FI

1966: A/S- 66 Plymouth Street Hemi
1966: B/FX- 66 Plymouth Street Hemi
1967: SS/B- 67 Plymouth Street Hemi

..Stahl has reduced his involvement with the header business and now produces headers in kit form for select clients, and he is still very active in keeping up with the latest in racing technology...

Read more: http://www.readperiodicals.com/20110...#ixzz2clCnIStR
http://www.stahlheaders.com/Lit_Jere%20profile.htm


ONE of the all time iconic photos of that era..>Bill not the giant killer here..>'57 Bang'n gears Old school..>

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Not sure how I feel about aftermarket clones running in Stock and SS....

But like they say...."LKQ"....

$100K lower class cars? NOT for me...but it's YOUR $$$ and you can do what
you like....

Don't think the "classics" fit that well in Stock anymore...It's nice to see them out
there...BUT there are so many later cars that fit better in those classes...that weren't
around back in the day....

Are we trying to bring back the "glory days" of 1964-1971 once more?

Just my .02.....

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Can you win a marathon breathing through a drinking straw?

I think Deano told me they are 195cfm......

The only tri-five I know of around here runs a CM class in IHRA. Saw him testing at St Louis one weekend. Black and white '55......

Wade

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Dan,
I posted new pics of the frame on my build thread.

Will Lamprecht
65 Impala

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

There are very few older combinations that have characteristics that make them favorable without some power rating reductions. Prior to the late '60s, car manufacturers used "optimistic" horsepower numbers for marketing impact. But the technological development for most of the engines was at such an unsophisticated level that the component parts do not lend themselves to the same potential for performance as later designs. An example: 1962 Oldsmobile 394-330/330 hp with small carb (~525 cfm), small valves (1.88x1.56), poor heads and intake, .435/.437 cam vs. 1969 Oldsmobile 400-325/315 hp with Qjet (750 cfm), 2.07x1.63 valves, better heads and intake, .440/.440 cam. This example has common characteristics when comparing older engines to later enegines and is evidence that even before the net ratings in the '70s, the manufacturers were toning down their power ratings. To include more older models, some review of power ratings would have to happen else they will mostly be rejected because they will not be able to be competitive. That's part of the reason there are no more participants with the older cars now, even though the only real choices have been the pre-1960 Chevrolets. BUT, IHRA has attempted to increase participation by reducing the power ratings on several popular older combinations without any evidence that it has generated real interest. Considering the cost of building a basic Stocker, how many older cars will be built, especially if it's dicey that you can make one competitve?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Dwight,

All the more reason "sound minds" @ NHRA should be allowed to intervene for a HP reduction if a formal request is made and the combo in question has NOT been seen or heard on the strip in say, 5 or 10 years?

I saw that happened here recently and some (or one?) complained loudly to NHRA and the HP reduction was reversed; the argument being that the AHFS and only the AHFS can determine HP adjustments.

All well and good if the combo is actually built and running down the track but if ya'll want new blood in the sport with long forgotten or ignored combo's, it will never happen following the precise letter of the law of AHFS. Why would somebody spend a dime on a '55 Chevy 265-283 with a 2bbl if there's no way it could get in the same zip code as the class competitors?

Drop the HP to a reasonable level, let them get built and THEN the AHFS can take control.

Note the emphasis on looking at combos that are never seen.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Watch the movie "My Cousin Vinny" for more information concerning the first year in which the 327 was available in a Chevy.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Isn't there a young lady (Shelby I think) that runs a 55?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Kinda what I thought, and I am at 4100ft at that lol. I saved the car from the crusher, it will make for good tradin' stock anyways...

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Shelby Hurley from Hebron MD has a P/SA '55, her dad Steve has a SS/OA '55. Nice cars and nice people. Shelby has run some IHRA as well as my S/SS races, and they have run a few NHRA races as well with the change in pre-1960 cars permitted.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

265 CFM, I thought that would be enough to run well on a 307 considering that my 230s went fast with a 210 CFM Monojet. So far, I have been wrong.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I appreciate these cars and would like to see more of them in Stock Eliminator and agree that the factors should be reviewed and adjusted downward.
With the new cars (CJ,DP&COPO) making a huge impact, all of the older factors need serious review to balance the playing field.
The Indy qualifying sheet should be interesting.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

nhra can start by giving the 283's the same intake they gave wade owens and all 64-67 283's...(the rare 327 - 459) seems like discrimination :)

jack

oh did I mention 57-61 283's...i'd kinda like it too :)

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I agree...

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Does anybody remember if the 459 was a replacement back in the Jr. Stock days, because I have Kyle Marshalls 57 Delivery and thats the manifold it has on it.

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

The 459 manifold is only good for 65 and 66 chevy 283 's

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Jack, just so the new people understand. That intake was made legal long before I built my Stocker. I simply took what they gave me and everyone else who wanted to build a 4bbl 283 for those years. You know, including things like hoods, roller rockers, alum intakes, rods, deck heights, Edelbrock heads and now 3spd transmissions that werent originally available for a certain combo. I know you know, but the post reads like it was changed for me. I dont think I have that much clout....

Wade

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I for one believe Stock Eliminator has never been more exciting and marketable with the old and new cars, and the young people today will embrace it.
LODRS and National events can be marketed by promoting today's muscle cars vs yesterday's.
Agree?

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Forget STK, cam, intake, a little head work and let Mighty Mouse eat in SS!

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

I agree......

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Me too,,, S/S is the way to go here.
Danny Durham

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Danny, you & Randall are both right , you can go a lot faster to the index in S/S than Stock ... Carl & Hurley have done a great job to get to - 5 under in Stock ... The next 3 - 4 are very expensive & limited by the small Carb/ intake /Cam & hot weather ? The 57 (283) is a better combo
if you can get the later intake ... The 55-57 are all Super looking cars ...

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

sorry wade didnt mean to single you out.. your name was mentioned in a prior post on the thread and well... you are the poster boy for 283's right now :)
.
yes it appeared in the 90's im sure they meant to supersede 457 but 459 appeared and was in there 7 years or so before don quinn found it and used it on bill belden's 65 chevelle, and of course it will not go away now.

we 57-61 283 guys would like to have it ok'd for our use also seems fair...

captain jack

good luck at indy !

Re: 55-57 Stockers?
 

Too many hood scoops and high tech cars in SS.

Sorry my boys, Wes Leopold and Bobby Lasko!