Early 1970s Raceway News Scans

[Paul Ceasrine]

Pete

The 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi had a 'Shipping Weight' of
#3839 lbs.

In '1971', the Horsepower Factor for the 1971 426 Steet Hemi was 455 HP.

#3839 lbs. ~ 455 HP = 8.43 Wt/HP = C/S or C/SA

Weight Break ...Super Stock...Stock Class
0.00 to 6.49 .......SS/A .....................
6.50 to 6.99 .......SS/B .....................
7.00 to 7.49 .......SS/C ...............A/S
7.50 to 7.99 .......SS/D ...............B/S
8.00 to 8.49 .......SS/E ...............C/S
8.50 to 8.99 .......SS/F ...............D/S
etc.

The Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi was at the high end of the weight break.

Only 63 1971 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi cars were built, and only 30 with the Automatic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In '1974', the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Street Hemi was re-factored to 440 HP for Stock Class, and 455 HP for Super Stock.

#3839 lbs. ~ 440 HP = 8.72 Wt/HP = B/S or B/SA.

1973 and 1974 Classes

Weight Break......Sper Stock......Stock
0.00 to 6.49 .......... SS/A ..................
6.50 to 6.99 .......... SS/B ..................
7.00 to 7.49 .......... SS/C ..................
7.50 to 7.99 .......... SS/D ..................
8.00 to 8.49 .......... SS/E ............ A/S
8.50 to 8.99 .......... SS/F ............ B/S
etc.

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by mopar68

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

I know Arthur frequents facebook as I have been contacting him re: my car. I'll see if he'll stop by here Pete/ Paul. It wouild be great info on that car.

liteweight

[Jimbo17]

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.

The photo's sure bring back some old names and wonderful memories.

That model Diana sure got around and I remember her being on Dick Moroso's very first catalog and she was holding up here middle finger in the photo.

Thanks to everyone who posted and shared their memories.

Jim Hill Nostalgic Racing Decals

[art leong]

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'.

'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}.

This is pretty much what we could pry out of people back then. We bought the car in 73 with a connecting rod hanging out the side of the block. From a kid in Manhattan Beach Brooklyn. He bought it new from a dealer. We started thinking the car was something special when we took off the door panels and found no safety side bars. We put it together as a stocker and even with heavy wheels and a full exhaust it was 400 pounds light. They running gear was all really stock (not dipped it had heavy disc brakes up front) In full street race trim (no interior, glass hood, etc.) it weighed 2980 pounds. I believe the body was in a tank at one time.
We made a lot of money on that car when you told someone it was 4000 pounds they believed you. We ran it as a stocker before the street racing. You could see the outline of the "Rod Shop" stars and stripes though the "factory" black paint. It had a build date of May 1971 at least 4 months after they stopped producing hemis. We talked to the guys from Chrysler and while they never admitted to it. Off the record they talked about a car that Judy Boertman didn't want to drive.
I sold the shell for $300 a factory original hemi numbered car. That was even dumber than selling a 58 corvette for $500. LOL
I sold the car and it eventually wound up in Pennsylvania. The guy called me begging to get it titled in my name and transfer it to him. Prior to 1972 there were no titles for cars only a assignable registration. I didn't even have a drivers license so I couldn't register the car.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Pete

The 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi had a 'Shipping Weight' of
#3839 lbs.

In '1971', the Horsepower Factor for the 1971 426 Steet Hemi was 455 HP.

#3839 lbs. ~ 455 HP = 8.43 Wt/HP = C/S or C/SA

Weight Break ...Super Stock...Stock Class
0.00 to 6.49 .......SS/A .....................
6.50 to 6.99 .......SS/B .....................
7.00 to 7.49 .......SS/C ...............A/S
7.50 to 7.99 .......SS/D ...............B/S
8.00 to 8.49 .......SS/E ...............C/S
8.50 to 8.99 .......SS/F ...............D/S
etc.

The Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi was at the high end of the weight break.

Only 63 1971 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi cars were built, and only 30 with the Automatic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In '1974', the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Street Hemi was re-factored to 440 HP for Stock Class, and 455 HP for Super Stock.

#3839 lbs. ~ 440 HP = 8.72 Wt/HP = B/S or B/SA.

1973 and 1974 Classes

Weight Break......Sper Stock......Stock
0.00 to 6.49 .......... SS/A ..................
6.50 to 6.99 .......... SS/B ..................
7.00 to 7.49 .......... SS/C ..................
7.50 to 7.99 .......... SS/D ..................
8.00 to 8.49 .......... SS/E ............ A/S
8.50 to 8.99 .......... SS/F ............ B/S
etc.

Our car ran B/SA in 74. As I read your production numbers the tears are running down my cheeks. That car would have been worth more than a decent house right now. No matter how much you had to put into the restore.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Jimbo17

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.

The photo's sure bring back some old names and wonderful memories.

That model Diana sure got around and I remember her being on Dick Moroso's very first catalog and she was holding up here middle finger in the photo.

Thanks to everyone who posted and shared their memories.

Jim Hill Nostalgic Racing Decals

Talking about models. I could tell you a story about Miss Mopar (the model not Judy) and our pit crew Kevin. in 1980? Las Vegas. I was green with envy. LOL.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Art Leong,

Hopefully my information is correct. I did some digging, and asked my Dodge connections.

Supposedly, in 1971 that Charger R/T also had thin-steel front fenders and hood {.019" thickness} instead of the standard sheet metal {.040" thickness} when it was pre-prepped for
the 'Rod Shop'.

It also may have had a thinner steel 'firewall' and 'radiator support', which could not be confirmed.

Mystery parts were also to include; 'lightened' front Bumper
supports, braces, reinforcement bar and related parts.

The book lists the 1971 Charger R/T with the 426 Street Hemi at Shipping Weight at #3839 lbs.

I did run against you {Black} Charger R/T Hemi in B/SA at Englishtown in later-1974.

I was running my 'Factory Original' M-Code green 69' 440 'Cuda fastback in B/SA as well.

It was a cold day, and I came out sideways with my brand new Concorde G60-14 tires. I forget to lower the tire pressure, and they were 'rock hard' from the cold weather.

I nearly T-Boned the Charger.

If the Charger R/T was as light {thin-steel} as they say, and I hit you, I probably would have severed that car in half.

[Pete L.]

Fellas,

What a great thread ...brings back lots of memories of good times and friends from long ago !!!


Thank you very much,

Pete L.

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Pete L.

Fellas,

What a great thread ...brings back lots of memories of good times and friends from long ago !!!


Thank you very much,

Pete L.

You're welcome. You wouldn't happen to be Pete LaFronz, would you?

Pete

[Paul Ceasrine]

Pete,

At the end of 1971, this 1971 Charger R/T '426 Hemi' went back to
the Factory.

It was deconstructed, and 'toned down' back to a Street Vehicle with a new 426 Street Hemi and full-exhaust.

It was re-painted Black, and shipped out to the East Coast, and
arrived in Brooklyn, New York in 1972.