Early 1970s Raceway News Scans

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Pete,

You are correct.

1974

In Stock Class, you couldn't run Slicks, but you were allowed Monster Mother Tires, as long as they fit within the Rear Fenderwell.

I believe Ray Cook and Art Leong had N50- x 15's on the 1971 Charger R/T.

I had Pro-Trac L60 x 14's on my green 69' 440 Cuda for 1974.

Thankfully, we were allowed Headers in 1974, but still had to retain
the full exhaust system w/tail pipes.

I ran against them on a 'Cold *** Day', and I couldn't hook up, and broke loose sideways coming off the line.

I nearly T-Boned the Charger.

Thanks for the memories!

Pete

[mopar68]

[Paul Ceasrine]

Pete,

The 'word' was, that Ray Cook and Art Leong's 1971 Charger R/T Hemi automatic was a former 'Rod Shop' car.

Chemically Engineered from Chrysler, and with lightened parts.

Mystery Charger R/T

[grncpe]

Nice to see a pic of the Pink Panther making it in here.That Must be a Pic of the car in 71 or early 72 as it was factored out of stock into super stock right around then...

[Paul Ceasrine]

Originally Posted by grncpe

Nice to see a pic of the Pink Panther making it in here.That Must be a Pic of the car in 71 or early 72 as it was factored out of stock into super stock right around then...

For the 1970 NHRA Season in Super Stock,

It was 1965 and newer cars.

In 1970, the 1964 Mopars were forced into Stock Class.

Another fine move by the NHRA to 'screw' Mopar out of Super Stock
after a successful 1969 Super Stock season by the 1964 Super Stock
Mopars.

[mopar68]

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Pete,

The 'word' was, that Ray Cook and Art Leong's 1971 Charger R/T Hemi automatic was a former 'Rod Shop' car.

Chemically Engineered from Chrysler, and with lightened parts.

Mystery Charger R/T

Paul,

I heard (read) about this car in another thread on this forum. I don't recall anything being mentioned about it being a former Rod Shop car. If true, which one? Dave Boertman's? I doubt it was Bill McGraw's SS/E 1971 Hemi Charger which has been found and is restored. I never heard anything about the whereabouts of Boertman's J/SA 383-powered car.

Pete

[Paul Ceasrine]

Pete,

'Part I'

In depth research from 'The Dodge Detective'

The 1971 Dodge Charger R/T {WS23} 'J-Code' 426 Hemi 'Automatic' was built in May 1971. {1 of 63 built}

The #3850 lb. Charger R/T was 'Chemically Engineered' {acid-dipped} by the Factory before it was shipped out.

It was rumored that that the car was under 3500 lbs. after it's 'bath treatment'.

'The Dodge Detective' said it was to be run by 'The Rod Shop'
out of Columbus, Ohio in Stock Class {C/SA = 8.00 to 8.49 Wt/HP} in Division 3.

It was supposed to be ready for the 1971 NHRA Springnationals .{June}

It was prepped and painted, and set to go after the C/SA Record of
11.74 @ 119.26 MPH.

Now here's where it gets 'tricky'.

Supposedly, it was to be a car for Judi Boertman.

But, after a few test runs, Judi was uncomfortable with the Charger R/T as the lightened car got 'real squirrely' going thru the traps at
120 MPH.

The 'thin-skinned' Charger R/T was then sent to Western Dodge Sales in Owensboro, Kentucky where they ran the Charger R/T in C/SA
for 1971.

It was still painted with 'The Rod Shop' design, with Flag stripes on
the rear quarter panels, and Stars on the roof and trunk deck-lid,
but the 'Rod Shop' lettering was removed.

The Charger R/T was campaigned in C/SA for 1971, where it ran
11.90's and was competitive in Division 3.

In 1972, the NHRA Stock Class rules were changed, and the Charger
R/T was sent 'packing' back to Chrysler {Vehicle Performance Planning}.

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Pete,

'Part I'

In depth research from 'The Dodge Detective'

The 1971 Dodge Charger R/T {WS23} 'J-Code' 426 Hemi 'Automatic' was built in May 1971. {1 of 63 built}

The #3850 lb. Charger R/T was 'Chemically Engineered' {acid-dipped} by the Factory before it was shipped out.

It was rumored that that the car was under 3500 lbs. after it's 'bath treatment'.

That's a quite a story, Paul! One question: what engine was in the car allowing it to run to run in C/SA? It couldn't have been a 426 HEMI.

If Art Leong is reading this (or someone can get him to read this post), can you tell us from whom you and Ray obtained the car and add more tidbits to the story?

Pete

[mopar68]