First Car to the Strip

[6130]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

My first car that I owned and also first car I raced was a 1968 mustang coupe. It was a factory 302 4 barrel engine and top loader 4 speed. I think I ran some high14s bone stock with it. That was a fun car to drive on the street. I was 16 years old.

That must have been a heck of a bone stock 230hp 302. In 1968, Motor Trend was only able to wring a 15.20 at 94 mph out of a manual trans 335hp 390 Mustang. They ran a 14.57 at 99.55 mph in a 428-powered Shelby GT500KR, and a 14.75 at 98 mph out of another 360hp 428-powered Shelby Mustang.

[BRETV]

Originally Posted by 6130

That must have been a heck of a bone stock 230hp 302. In 1968, Motor Trend was only able to wring a 15.20 at 94 mph out of a manual trans 335hp 390 Mustang. They ran a 14.57 at 99.55 mph in a 428-powered Shelby GT500KR, and a 14.75 at 98 mph out of another 360hp 428-powered Shelby Mustang.

You have to remember back in '68 they tested those cars on the 7 inch bias plys tires, terrible tires for quick ET's.



Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

[6130]

Originally Posted by BRETV

You have to remember back in '68 they tested those cars on the 7 inch bias plys tires, terrible tires for quick ET's.



Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Yes, I remember 1968, to include the tires.

He said it was bone stock, and it was back when he was 16- he doesn't sound like he was 16 recently...

[Mike Bassin]

Made my first pass at 75-80 Dragway in June / 1962, had my drivers license two weeks, took my moms '62 Dodge Polara 361 4 barrel car and ran 16.70's @85 mph, spun like mad. The car felt faster on the street. Won C/SA trophy, only one other car entered, hid the trophy, many years later, maybe 20 or so I told her about racing her Dodge, she wasn't thrilled about it after all that time. Can't understand it! Oh, had the trophy for years, ex tossed it back in the '80's I guess.

[joe huestis]

Turned 16 Oct. 9, ‘71 and had my drivers’ license by Nov.14 a little over a Month later. That weekend drove my wagon to Dover to spectate before track shut down for the winter. ‘57 Chevy 210 wagon, 283-4v, 3 speed. Dover Drag Strip, Wingdale, N.Y. 1972. Ran 16.49 @ 83 mph. Had JCPenny slicks with no posi. Have 8mm film with smoke coming off RR slick leaving line. Forever hooked ! By springtime 1974 was running stock eliminator with my ‘69 Camaro, “Annie’s Song I”.

[GUMP]

Bone stock 1979 Trans Am 403 automatic sometime in the late eighties at Moroso. Memory says it ran mid 15's.

[6130]

Originally Posted by GUMP

Bone stock 1979 Trans Am 403 automatic sometime in the late eighties at Moroso. Memory says it ran mid 15's.

I remember racing against stock 1979 Trans Ams with the RPO L80 Oldsmobile 403 engine and the required automatic transmission. They weighed about 3,700 pounds, and with the 175hp small block engine wheezing through a single pellet converter, a 3-speed automatic, and 3.23 rear gears, it should come as no surprise that they were no quicker than mid-17s.

Car & Driver tested the more powerful 200hp Pontiac 400 "T/A 6.6" Trans Am 2 years earlier, and it ran a best of 16.9 at 82 mph.

I think all of our cars her faster in our memory, if we don't keep the time slips.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by 6130

Yes, I remember 1968, to include the tires.

He said it was bone stock, and it was back when he was 16- he doesn't sound like he was 16 recently...

The engine and trans was stock. The car did have some G-60 tires on the back and traction bars so that probably helped the suspension. It did hook good. 16 was a long time ago.

After I blew up the 302 I put a 289 in the car. At that time it had headers. 650 holley, dual point distributor bigger camshaft and an edelbrock intake. Also had a 410 gear in the rear. If I remember correctly it ran 12.90 with those mods. Broke the 8 inch rear that day and put a 9 inch in it after that.

[jmcarter]

Since we are limited to “strip” outings (the 1966 unofficial outings on Husbands Road in Paducah Ky probably don’t qualify) my first track excursion was with a 68 SS Chevelle (bone stock 396/325) in 1980 at Bremerton. Ran 15.20’s and won $20, we had to catch the Bremerton ferry to get back home and have a pic of my four year old son sleeping while sharing the back seat with one of the cheater slicks. Good memories.

[6130]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

The engine and trans was stock. The car did have some G-60 tires on the back and traction bars so that probably helped the suspension. It did hook good. 16 was a long time ago.

Makes more sense...