Quote:
Originally Posted by Geerhead55
I was looking at some old video footage on Youtube of the '65 Winternationals and the US Nationals,, and I noticed shots of the original "Hemi Under Glass" '65 Barracuda, and also the "Pandemonium" exhibition Barracuda and I got to wondering who was the first to bring out a Hemi powered "Cuda" back in the day. I know Richard Petty had his 43 JR. Hemi drag Cuda on the March '65 cover of Super Stock and Drag Illustrated, and figuring in magazine lead times back then, I'm thinking that car had to hit the track in late'64.
If any of the old timers have any info, or if someone can research this, lets hear it. Its going to be hard to confirm a car appearing earlier than Lee and Richard Petty's little blue fastback, but I've been wrong before. So, if you know,,let us know too.
Danny Durham
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Okay, I don’t know if this will help or not, but I was at the inaugural SpringNationals at Bristol in 1965. I had just graduated from high school so you can so the math and determine if I am a “old timer” or not.
The Hurst Hemi Under Glass was there and I thought it was making is first runs in public. I know I about dumped when it did made its first run and got up on the back bumper. There was no such thing as “wheelstanders” at the time.
Richard Petty was there with the 43jr Hemi Barracuda and I don’t think it was that car’s first time out. It was towed on a open trailer behind a big Dodge truck with a van body. It had a spare Hemi in the back wrapped in a clear plastic bag. I was impressed.
Bill Lamb