Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

And an opportunity presents itself, it must be seized (Carpe Diem) to get back involved after a LONG absence. So, as the former "chariot" of Haszlauer, Irving, Voigt, Kissner, Stickles, and Chin (after having had their collective "fun") went up for sale on Racing Junk, it now sits squarely in my shop. The process of upgrades in safety, performance, and cosmetics will have a bit of a slow ramp-up (as I continue with the Concours/OEM Gold restoration of my 71 340 Cuda convertible), but is already underway. My version: 76 Aspen 360/269 for SS/LA at a lard-*** total weight of 3667. I started competing initially in 1973 with my Duster, and have enjoyed life-long friends and business associates that were cultivated within the racing community, so I look forward to revisiting that once again. Rock On!

Bill Rolik

1514 SS

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

I'm happy to hear your back and I have always liked that Volare.

Please post some photos of your 'Cuda for all to see.

PS; Whatever happened to the 'Cuda of Bill Meerholz?

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Frank,

The body and paint will be the absolute last (and most costly) item to handle on the Cuda, so no photos, other than those on my website when the car was acquired. Click on "Significant Rides" near the top of my home page. Also, there is a another drop-down at the top of the home page for "Vintage Drag Racing". Click on that and see some cool pictures! Check out "Road Trips" too.I am in process of powder coating the appropriate items for the Cuda now and almost done. Misc. sub-assemblies in process. Engine in process by Bill Ceralli. Hydraulic roller. I will extrude hone the intake. .020 factory pistons. Otherwise OEM as produced. Fasteners (a world unto its own when doing any insane anal OE resto) are done. I have almost 100 tote bins of NOS parts which has taken a VERY long time to accumulate. 8 NOS tires. Belts, hoses etc. Everything is properly dated coded. These all-consuming deals are NOT for the faint of heart. LOL.


Meerholz? I see Bill almost every week. We both operate Mopar parts businesses. He does wiper motors and other concours component restorations. His 70 AAR Cuda is top 5 in the world. The Cuda race car (a very solid car which I drove numerous times) was given to his son some time ago with the projected use as a Pro Street car. Unfortunately it has been sitting idle since. With the HP reduction on the 71 340 it is a killer combo.


Bill Rolik


www.billrolikenterprises.com


www.bmcuda.com (Meerholz)

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Great car! It took me nearly a year to get the car built from Chrysler because of the gas war in 1979. I thought it had to be an original 360 car, which it is (L code). It arrived at the dealer in August of 1979 with all the new 1980 cars on board. (Transittown I worked there) It ran 14.90's with a lean burn ignition until October of that year when it went into my shop for dismantling. First engine was a Ritter and Weber built engine. Steve McGrath drove it mostly. We were good friends where I was the wrench and he was Mister steady. Very Good times! Even Dan Fletcher drove it once. It did a 330' wheel stand with no burnout. Next run before we went. Bob Lambeck came by and shoe polished the rear bumper. very fun times with the car.

Paul Haszlauer

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hey Paul,


Thanks for the reply.


I remember the long gas lines in 73 and 79 quite well! Driving down to Budds Creek with (2) 5 gallon jugs of fuel sitting on the front seat of my car hauler next to me. Insane. You would probably end up in jail now for that.


Since I need the weight for LA I must add to the bar to make it a full cage, among other things. Factory seats will be going in for that reason. I am too spoiled driving my 2016 Challenger Scat Pack to spend ANY time sitting in Kirkey seats. Lots of other stuff to do, including keeping this very wheelstand-prone car from going to the moon. All in due time. To borrow a line from Jan and Dean's "Little Old Lady From Pasadena"...

"But Parked In A Rickety Old Garage, Is A Brand New Shiny Red Super Stock Dodge"


I guess I gave away the upcoming color choice. And I hope I remember how to do a proper burnout!


Bill Rolik


SS 1514

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Funny I'm trying to build a 2013 Challenger now. Mine was a street car and I'm going to hopefully have the 5.7 Hemi street version. Do you have a source or extra window modules? tricky build for a one man operation like myself for sure.

Enjoy yourself,
Paul

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Say hey to Bill Ceralli for me.
Jimmy Lovallo used to say about guys who did long burnouts, "He's heating up the roof!" I'm sure that first burnout will bring a huge smile to your face.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

I seen scat Pack and had in my brain Drag Pak. Your probably thinking "what modules" I had the original fender tag for ever but I looked around today. Darn if I can find it now.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Paul,


On the module thing, if they have been cancelled by Chyrsler, your only recourse may be a salvage yard, or one of the Challenger-specific sites (Challengertalk.com, Hellcat.org etc.). Post a Parts Wanted ad.

Believe me,I know all about the one-man band thing.


If you find the fender tag, or the broadcast sheet, I will gladly take them!


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Let me know if I can be at any help to you
on your build.

Best of Luck!

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi John,


And thanks for the reply!


As I said, a bit of a slow ramp-up, but I appreciate the thoughts and I am sure we will chat along the way! Conversion from roll bar to cage and seat changes are the first areas to concentrate on.


Thanks,


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

What is the killer combo for the 71 340 in the E body?

Thanks

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi Larry,


They did of course take a bunch of HP off of this combo years ago because no one was running one. Most, including myself, went to a 340 low compression or 360. At max specs, with tuliped valve reliefs, the 71 340 is almost 12-1 compression. 2.02/1.60. Thermoquad carb. Positive deck engine but the piston perimeter is right up against the head so too much rpm and one will "kiss" the other for sure. LOL. Weber and others were very fast, at the old HP, BEFORE porting. To me, with properly done heads, current cam and header technology, and the ability to run a lower class at virtually the same weight, it should be very strong. Since I have been away for quite awhile, there certainly may be someone running one now, but I am not aware of that. Perhaps you have knowledge of such a scenario. I would love to be enlightened as I certainly may have missed much along the way!


Thanks,


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

I saw that car for the first time at Bakersfield when I was about 10 years old. Caught my eye because it was an SS version of my mom’s car. My only request is you rename it “Canned Heat.”

Good luck! Look forward to seeing you at the races.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

And Canned Heat's big hit of course is..........


Goin' Up The Country!!! Even made it onto a Progressive Insurance commercial recently!


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Bill,

I think I'd be also taking a serious look ay the 383 also...

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hello Pete,


Yes, the 383 is a very potent combo as well. Needless to say, just one example, as in Mr. Cotten's Cuda, is Bad To The Bone!


I also find the 62 383/343 combo quite interesting as well. Fairly light cars for their size, lots of rear body overhang, de-factored HP, and dual inline AFB 4-barrels! For S/S, sounds like a sheet metal "shorty" tunnel ram to me! I would think this would be quite strong! Not sure if anyone is out there with one.


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

any pictures of your new ride?

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

[QUOTE=Bill Rolik;634855]Hello Pete,




I also find the 62 383/343 combo quite interesting as well. Fairly light cars for their size, lots of rear body overhang, de-factored HP, and dual inline AFB 4-barrels! For S/S, sounds like a sheet metal "shorty" tunnel ram to me! I would think this would be quite strong! Not sure if anyone is out there with one.


Bill Rolik[/QUOTE

There is 5 1962 383/343 running in stock right now. Don't know of any Superstock ones

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Are you the gentleman Ken and I chatted with at VMP? How are you making out with the car ?

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

My son Jon Jr. runs one in SS/KA = 71 Duster 340 Thermoquad.
He can run with anyone in his Class out in our part of the World!

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

383/343 is an awesome SS/GT combination and I'm not aware of anyone currently running it.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Welcome back Bill!

(you really need to do a Neon Stocker in your spare time!)

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

John,


Good stuff. Kick butt and take names!


Just curious: "X" heads or aluminum?


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Billy,


IN MY SPARE TIME, and since my favorite car colors are red and white, why should I stop at ONE Neon? I think I will do one in EACH COLOR!


Bill Rolik


P.S. You can take Billy out of Jersey, but you can't take Jersey out of Billy. Chop buster extraordinaire! LOL!

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi Larry,


Referencing my earlier post as well, I had inquired along the way about taking over Bill Meerholz's SS/JA 71 Cuda, which I had driven before. Well built car with Dave Weber power. And again, that was BEFORE everything that is available today. Shaker hood as a bonus. Plus only 30 minutes away. However, Bill's son expressed interest in it with the intention of converting to Pro Street, and it is now, and has been, in his possession. The car has been idle, but his intentions are still the same. That car would have been my first choice, given the HP reductions, among other things. So, in short, my new acquisition will suffice! Rock on!


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Sorry for this, are W-2 heads legal for natural SS classes?

Or are they old news?

William Sands

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Congrads on the purchase, since you need weight, to cover up the studio 54 Disco Color Scheme(which owner painted it that?), you might be best served getting it wrapped and save the $ and painting skills for the Cuda.

Re seats, even better than stock, dragpak viper seats(09), so comfy, its hard to even describe how nice they are.

The 2010 versions aren't quite as nice, they were Jegs seats, not leather but still real nice, not sure if they are still sold new, I have a new in the box pair in the attic if you need, I just acquired another set of 09 seats for the Dart/Duster.

Tim put sanhuffs on the front, so you should be able to launch and forget.

The 62 383 2-4 @ 330 is a extremely thought provoking motor.....super cool, but likely not as good of a combo and the 383-4 @ 304 , maybe cheaper to build?

Too bad about the Cuda, I think he will be reducing its value going the pro-street route.

Have fun and we'll see you in the lanes I'm sure.

Eric

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi Eric,


Thanks for the reply and the input.


I will be going with Tor-Red, the same color as my Challenger Scat Pack. Perhaps some stripes as well. The dealership where I purchased the car, and where I have done business for 30 years, has their own body shop, and they did the two-tone white roof addition on the Challenger before I took delivery. You can see a picture of it on my website under "Significant Rides". I am sure I can get some help on the paint for the Aspen. As far as the seats, I am picking up a set of factory tan buckets this weekend (original interior/dash pad was tan). If I ultimately do not go with them, perhaps I will ring you up on the Viper seats.


I also confirmed with Tim that it has the Santhuff shocks in the front. Good stuff. Everyone that I have talked to about them has offered high praise. Light years ahead of the stock shocks in my Duster with half of the fluid pumped out. That was cool at the time LOL. No negative issues, and a great working car overall. I sold the Duster in 96 to a gentleman in Detroit who was going to install a B1 big block and go street racing. I have tried repeatedly to find him, but with no luck. I have PAGES of improvements to work on for the Aspen, so I am proceeding slowly and methodically on that. Cage upgrade is probably the first significant work.


62 383/343? On paper, it looks like a total winner. I know of a car that ran this combo in SS/HA that is out there and has been sitting for decades. I was very close to going to check it out in person, but that would have been an "ALL IT NEEDS IS....EVERYTHING" deal, and MUCH more costly in the long haul. Maybe in my next life.

Yes, Bill's Cuda just sits. I do not know if his son will ultimately do anything in ANY form with it or not, but so far no. It is up to him. Very cool car.


Bill Rolik

P.S. I know it was supposed to be a secret, but I heard through the grapevine that you have the original Studio 54 disco ball. Come on, come clean now! LOL!

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Neither.....

A late head modified to W2 Configuration


Paul the original owner painted it in his shop as I recall
many many Moons ago: I was way cool in those days.
He is on the forum regularly.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

No sir.

But you can modify and weld your stock heads to
a similar configuration....and we do that and
pickup up a bit of HP.

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi John,


I will stay the status quo for the short term, but what shop does the head work you described? And what casting do you start with?


Thanks,


Bill Rolik

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Hi Bill,

Tor-Red is in my opinion the best of the "new" color options that simulate the old.

I had it on my RT/Classic that I ordered in 09 great color, with the black stripe, I was so happy I made the right choice on it, and didn't go for the update B-5 blue, not close.

I asked if while waiting if my dragpak order could be customized with Tor-Red as a add-on, unfortunately they said no-go.

Alas my dragpak is #53 so old school retro look Minuteman Missile look, with Bogarts made to look like the fly's on the Carlton car......but if it had been #54, well it would have been certainly named studio 54, complete with scantilly clad lady....

As far as the actual disco ball in question, I can neither confirm nor deny to protect the guilty, whether it was part of a wager along with a Flashdance strip bar tab(West Palm Beach), back in 1990 on the Saw Mill Parkway with matching 5 liter notchback mustangs T-5's of course, just before the trek to the 5 day at Morroso......Good times


Eric

Re: Well, I guess when it is in your blood........
 

Eric,


Good stuff. Drag Pack's are very cool.


Maybe you are off the hook on the disco ball, but I am sure the "leisure suit" is still in the closet. Brown of course! LOL!


Bill Rolik