Best Pontiac Powered Super Stockers

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I'll list all the guys I can think of that run the 428. If ya'll know of others, please list 'em.

Scott Burton, Robert Cruzen, Todd Frantz, Leo Glasbrenner, Don Kennedy, Phil Monteith.

The McCarty's have 2 GT cars. Don't know what engines they'll run.

The McCarty's Lynn runs a 455 SD and Stacey runs a 428

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

My only Claim to fame is that I wrote the GT rules in the early 80s, Gave the notebook to Darell Zimmerman and Elroy Adams to give to NHRA. Then NHRA made a few changes to them and bang the GT Classes were in effect with Dave Danish. The Factories loved the GT rules and so did the Racers who now could use Older Motors in Newer Cars. My Trans Am was the very first GT car Build under the watchful eyes Of Danish NHRA National Tech Person .also about the same time Dick Henry built a GT car

Wow, that's cool !

So, you basically wrote the rules, and had one of the 1st GT cars. I had no idea. Thanks for sharing that info !

So, GT cars became legal somewhere in the early to mid '80's ?

Also noticed that you won your the GT/EA class at Indy this year, with a 9.177. And, Todd Frantz won the GT/FA class with a 9.188, in his 428 powered Cobalt.

Also, it was an all Pontiac 350 powered final, in SS/MA. Bill Rink won & Mike Morgan was RU, for the 2nd year straight. Bill Rink's little GTO has won class at Indy a BUNCH of times.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2019#indextop

Robert Cruzen has also won the GT/AA class at Indy, more than once, with his 428 Cobalt. One winning time was an 8.90 ! That same year, Mike Morgan won SS/MA with his 350 powered '77 Formula.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2016#indextop

[Rory McNeil]

If I remember correctly, the first of the new SS/GT cars that raced, were at the Winternationals (around 1984?), and they were Dick Henrys Camaro, and Len Schneiders Thunderbird. Len is still racing the same Tbird, I was talking to him at the Pomona Finals a few weeks ago. Schneider raced his Tbird with a 428 Cobra Jet at the beginning , but switched to a 351 Cleveland shortly afterwards, and that is the same engine he runs today. Here in Div. 6, I believe the first GT cars were Jim Gormans Malibu, and Steve Hahns Dodge Lebarron, which may have been one of the first FWD conversion Super Stockers.

[oldskool]

The GT rules have probably saved lots of cars from the crusher. Without the GT rules, lots of the GT bodies would never have been used to make a drag car.

I think it was a REAL good move !

I just thought of one more Pontiac powered GT car. It ain't real quick. But it will run the index, which makes it a threat to win some races. And it's a black '68 Bird, which I've always liked. Belongs to Larry Maxwell. I think he sold his Pontiac 455 powered Lemans Stocker, & moved up to GT/NA.

I think it's powered by a low compression Pontiac 350. Looks like a small tire Stocker. I assume he built it to just barely run under the index.

[Mike Jones]

Is Mike Morgan`s 77 Bird, Piacintini`s old car?
If so, its from the Monteith stable.
MJ

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Is Mike Morgan`s 77 Bird, Piacintini`s old car?
If so, its from the Monteith stable.
MJ

I don't have a clue. Never heard that name.

That reminds me. I saw the name Ken Shawver, which was listed as pickin up 4 straight class wins at Indy, in '03 thru '06, driving a '78 Firebird. A '78 could have several different engines. Assuming it had a 400 Pontiac. But I don't know that. Never heard that name before.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop

Once his name disappeared, in '07, Monte Howard is listed as driving a '78 Bird. I have heard that name, in Pontiac circles. He's listed as the SS/KA class winner, in 2010. And it's showing to have a 400 engine. Just wondering if it was the same car ? Anybody know ?

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2010#indextop

Well, this answers my question. It is the same car. Looks like Monte Howard took over the driving duties, in '07.

"...Monte Howard at the wheel of Ken Shawver’s ’78 Firebird captured the Super Stock title with a dead-on 10.430..."

http://www.nhradiv3.com/apcm/APCMvie...4918&print=yes

https://public.fotki.com/fwd3300/nhr...ontehowar.html

[Mike Jones]

From DRC May2012 LODRS 1-2 Super Stock Final Order
61 1809 SS/KA Sal Piacentini, Northeast MD, '77 Firebird10.835 11.25 -0.415

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Is Mike Morgan`s 77 Bird, Piacintini`s old car?
If so, its from the Monteith stable.
MJ

Yup.

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

If I remember correctly, the first of the new SS/GT cars that raced, were at the Winternationals (around 1984?), and they were Dick Henrys Camaro, and Len Schneiders Thunderbird. Len is still racing the same Tbird, I was talking to him at the Pomona Finals a few weeks ago. Schneider raced his Tbird with a 428 Cobra Jet at the beginning , but switched to a 351 Cleveland shortly afterwards, and that is the same engine he runs today. Here in Div. 6, I believe the first GT cars were Jim Gormans Malibu, and Steve Hahns Dodge Lebarron, which may have been one of the first FWD conversion Super Stockers.

Dave Danish NHRA Tech watched my car being built by Danny Davis in California every week until it was done. Danny Davis was very creative and Dave came over a lot of times to see the car being build to make sure the car was being built to The GT rules. Danny Ran the headers out towards the front. There is some Pictures in the Pontiac Musclecar Performance Book By Pete McCarthy of the car being built..I have the book somewhere and I will post some pictures of the Pontiac Trans Am . The Car is now in Sweden being raced. The present owner has won a lot of races with the car

[BRINK]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Is Mike Morgan`s 77 Bird, Piacintini`s old car?
If so, its from the Monteith stable.
MJ

Yes.