CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post - 4 speeds for 55-56 chevrolet superstockers

bill dedman · 12-24-2007, 01:40 AM

Thanks a lot for the validating response, X-Techman. I'm an X-Techman, myself, or I probably couldn't remember half the arcane stuff I do remember.

I remember Ronnie Broadhead's Pontiac very well (Porterville, CA?), but I had no memory of him being associated with "THE" El Camino that started it all insofar as 4-speed hydro's behind Chevys in Stock.
The first time I became aware of a Chevy sedan delivery with a hydro was while reading the national records in National DRAGSTER in late '64 or early '65, and the e.t. record was held by a team from Washington state; "Anglin/Clark, and VanDill." I think it was 14.75. The MPH record was held by Marv "POWERGLIDE" Ripes at something like 94 and change (could be wrong about that.) Those were both 220hp "Power Pack" engine cars.

The whole point of my post, however, was lost in the fact that I hi-jacked a thread about manual transmission Chevys, and I guess I got what I deserved, for that.

My point was that NHRA has never apparently, accepted the fact that all '57-thru-'61 Chevy V8s (well, maybe not the 409's) had a 3-speed automatic available as an option (Turboglide), and as a result, have only allowed Powerglide (2-speed) automatics in those cars. since nobody ever figured out how to make a Turboglide work and live in a drag racing environment.

A few years back, the rules were relaxed in order to allow Mopars that came with 727's to run 904's, and Fords that came with C-6's to run C4's IF THEY WOULD BOLT UP.

Well, the rulebook says the same number of forward speeds must be maintained, and Turboglides ARE 3-speed transmissions, so what's to keep a guy with a '61 Chevy V8 from trading his Turboglide for a Metric 200, if a guy with a 427/425hp Camaro running a TH400 can trade IT for a Metric 200?

I think NHRA needs to take a Turboglide apart and take a good long look at the two (2.5:1 low- and 1.5:1 second-speed planetaries) inside and revise their thinking, if they ever thought this WASN'T a 3-speed automatic.

BTW, I have no dog in this hunt... Never owned a Powerglide car. I don't even KNOW anybody who owns one... but I recognize a raw deal when I see one.

12-24-2007, 01:40 AM	#32
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 4 speeds for 55-56 chevrolet superstockers Thanks a lot for the validating response, X-Techman. I'm an X-Techman, myself, or I probably couldn't remember half the arcane stuff I do remember. I remember Ronnie Broadhead's Pontiac very well (Porterville, CA?), but I had no memory of him being associated with "THE" El Camino that started it all insofar as 4-speed hydro's behind Chevys in Stock. The first time I became aware of a Chevy sedan delivery with a hydro was while reading the national records in National DRAGSTER in late '64 or early '65, and the e.t. record was held by a team from Washington state; "Anglin/Clark, and VanDill." I think it was 14.75. The MPH record was held by Marv "POWERGLIDE" Ripes at something like 94 and change (could be wrong about that.) Those were both 220hp "Power Pack" engine cars. The whole point of my post, however, was lost in the fact that I hi-jacked a thread about manual transmission Chevys, and I guess I got what I deserved, for that. My point was that NHRA has never apparently, accepted the fact that all '57-thru-'61 Chevy V8s (well, maybe not the 409's) had a 3-speed automatic available as an option (Turboglide), and as a result, have only allowed Powerglide (2-speed) automatics in those cars. since nobody ever figured out how to make a Turboglide work and live in a drag racing environment. A few years back, the rules were relaxed in order to allow Mopars that came with 727's to run 904's, and Fords that came with C-6's to run C4's IF THEY WOULD BOLT UP. Well, the rulebook says the same number of forward speeds must be maintained, and Turboglides ARE 3-speed transmissions, so what's to keep a guy with a '61 Chevy V8 from trading his Turboglide for a Metric 200, if a guy with a 427/425hp Camaro running a TH400 can trade IT for a Metric 200? I think NHRA needs to take a Turboglide apart and take a good long look at the two (2.5:1 low- and 1.5:1 second-speed planetaries) inside and revise their thinking, if they ever thought this WASN'T a 3-speed automatic. BTW, I have no dog in this hunt... Never owned a Powerglide car. I don't even KNOW anybody who owns one... but I recognize a raw deal when I see one. __________________ Bill Last edited by bill dedman; 12-24-2007 at 02:05 AM.