1962 Mopar 383/343 HP 'Stocker'

[Paul Ceasrine]

Mike,

On the 1962 Dodge Model #440 3-Seat/9-Passenger Station Wagon

With the 383/343 engine combination, it had a Weight-to-Horsepower Factor of 10.51 Wt/Hp, based on its weight of #3608 lbs.

Between 1963 and 1967 it fell into the 9.50 - 10.59 Wt/Hp Factor.
Obvioyusly, not a desirable weight factor, as the car fell into the wrong end of the weight bracket.

In 1966 the NHRA bumped the classes up one.
In 1967, the NHRA changed them back to the earlier years.

In 1968, the NHRA re-factored the entire Stock Class Division by .50 Weight Breaks.

In 1968, the Dodge Model #440 Station Wagon suddenly became a highly desired race vehicle with the 383/343 HP engine combination.

Then the word got out during the year, as several racers were making news with this car combination.

In, 1969 thru 1971, it was one of the best drag race cars in the Stock Class Division.

In 1972 and 1973 in SS/JA, not a dominant car.


Classes by Year:
1963 = B/SA
1964 = B/SA
1965 = B/SA
1966 = C/SA
1967 = B/SA
1968 = F/SA
1969 = G/SA
1970 = H/SA
1971 = H/SA
1972 = SS/JA
1973 = SS/JA

In 1972, the NHRA changed the Stock Classes to basically 'Pure Stock', and instituted a 10-Year Rule, meaning cars built before 1963 were out.

Though some racers were successful in Super Stock (SS/JA) , the cars prime years were in the Stock Class Division, from 1968 thru 1971.