Quote:
Originally Posted by oldskool
OK guys, I just found this Q-list that brings up more questions.
https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=96912
#35 is Sal Piacentini, driving a SS/MA '77 Bird. I've been told that this Bird was 350 Pontiac powered, and that it is the same Bird that Mike Morgan now races.
Now, #90 is listed as Al Vanis, also driving a SS/MA '77 Bird. Since the class is the same, I assume that this Bird was also 350 Pontiac powered, at the time.
So, does anybody here have more info on the Bird Al was driving ? 350 Pontiac power ? Who owned it ? Who was the next owner and/or driver ? Is the car still racing ? If so, owner, driver, engine ??? 
Sorry, but this is the 1st time I've even been aware of this car, and that Al Vanis even drove a Super Stock Firebird. |
This answers some of what I wanted to know.
"...Al Vanis...traded 77 Lemans to Bob Michael' for a 77 Firebird S/S..."
So, Al traded his '77 Lemans for the '77 Bird from Bob Michael. He was running SS/MA with it -- same as the 350 powered Sal Piacentini Bird. So, was Al's Bird also 350 powered ?
I ask since weight can be added to most cars in order to run a class lower than it's natural class. But, from what I can find, it appears that there was a 35hp difference between the 350 & 400 SS engines, in '77 models, at that time.
That would require a large amount of added weight. Over 400lbs, if my math is correct.
SS/M is 14 lbs/hp. '77 400 engine had a 285hp factor for SS. 14 x 285 = 3990lbs. NHRA weight was just over 3500lbs, for a '77 Bird. Don't think rules allow that much added weight, to run a lower class, do they ?
http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac
http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...spx?ENGINE=764
Therefore, I assume that a 400 powered '77 Bird could not run as low as SS/MA. If I'm wrong, someone please explain.
Assuming I'm right, either Bob had a 350 in the car when he had it. Or, Al changed it over to a 350 after he got it. Assuming Al was familiar with a 350, since he'd raced the '74 350 powered Ventura.
As a side note, Sal won the SS/MA class at that race.
https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop
I love to search for Pontiac powered cars, on the old Q-lists. On the list for that race, besides the 2 birds mentioned, Steve Smith's '92 GT Bird was Pontiac powered, & was #33. Peter Biondo is listed @ #96, driving a 2000 Bird. I assume that was Phil Monteith's "Hatari" Bird, in which Peter did so much winning.
https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop
If any of this info is wrong, somebody please post the correct info. And, if I missed a Pontiac powered GT car, please post that info, also. Thanks !
Below are pics of a Bird which had:
"Bob Michael
Bob Peters"
on the door. Bob has had so many Pontiacs, I don't if this is the one Al traded for, or not.
I had the 2nd pic labeled "Bob Michael @ Indy". I have no idea what year these pics were taken. But, with solid center wheels, plus Winston on the tower, in the 1st pic, I assume neither pic was taken this century. Probably not the same car Al ran in 2005. I have no idea.