The best "Dime Rocket" combos!

[Billy Nees]

So my New Year's resolution is to stop being a crusty old poop and quit complaining about NHRA rules and regs (and combos) that I can't fix anyway. Vic just started a thread about "The Best 60's Stockers" and Travis brought up building a 60's Stocker for $400 bucks. i think that counts as a "Dime Rocket" even though $400 bucks was worth a bunch more back then.
It's the middle of winter and there's no a lot of other stuff to do so let's hear what you've got! Vic? Travis? Bender? Yac? Dwight?

[Chipper Chapman]

1980 Cutlass, 3.8 buick NA, factored at 140, for V/SA. Just sold one of these today, likely for the best because 2 stockers are enough already!

[Woodfin]

I like the concept of lower cost cars. And we all understand "lower cost" is a relative term because we have to buy and work with 2017 dollars.

Since my age is 69 I know and lived the days when most racers built low-cost cars from common parts. In the "beginning" we built with all most exclusively factory parts, the aftermarket as we know it today did not exist. Gradually, during the 1970's and 1980 more and better parts became available.

The first dedicated, trailered drag race car I built was in 1965. It was a 1955 Chevy with 365 horse 327 Corvette warranty engine. [I worked for local Chevy dealer]

With the help of friends, we took it to the track with a total outlay of about $1200.00 We race NHRA D/G [ten pounds per inch] After a few outings we ran 11.90's which was fast at that time.

It was great fun and valuable experience for a bunch of school boys with part-time jobs.

This background snippet helps to explain that while I benefited and learned necessary lessons in those early years I have moved on, times have changed.

I still like the old cars and if money was not an issue I would have a nice Tri-five of some type.

So, in ref to drag racing, [and this is personal] many of the dime rocket, lower cost combos simply do not interest me, too slow, too old, too rusty, too much work to put the body and interior in shape.

For me, at this time, the later model bodies are sooo much easier, no rust, interior in good shape, plenty of cheap body parts, and building a competitive engine is about the same regardless of age or size or class.

As posted about, it's off season so my thoughts from another angle.

[stage1scott]

I am not sure this qualifies as a dime rocket, you guys (mark) will have to fill that in-but-I was in LOVE with the (79/80?) turbo Mustang Mark Yac built a few years ago. I would have bought that car if I wasn't opening a new business and raising a teenager at the time.
(business is going great, teen is still a teen....)

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by stage1scott

I am not sure this qualifies as a dime rocket, you guys (mark) will have to fill that in-but-I was in LOVE with the (79/80?) turbo Mustang Mark Yac built a few years ago. I would have bought that car if I wasn't opening a new business and raising a teenager at the time.
(business is going great, teen is still a teen....)

Scott, That was a lucky find (about 3 miles from my house)
Already a 4 speed, correct hood, all the right part numbers, etc.
I believe that's the key, rather than chasing old parts down all over the country.

I had about 10 grand in the thing to start out, after having to upgrade to the Moser spool and axles. Of course, that was after doing about 90 % of the work myself.

Four or five number ones, three national records, Top Gun ,2007.

Not a bad bang for the buck, or the dime, I should say, if you can live with a high 13 second car.

[Daran Summerton]

Why is the term "Dime Rocket" automatically assumed they are all 13 second slugs. I'm currently looking for a Regal that fits E/SA that I believe will index for under 5K

[John Bender]

Hi Bill. Several old MoPars that should fit the category. 66 and 67 Plymouth Belvedere and Dodge Coronets with the 383 2 barrel carb. Built one twenty years ago in the back yard with no fancy machine work and it ran under the index in K/SA and I ran it at the Summernats. If you can't find one intact, you will have trouble finding the right carb. It was rated at 270 hp. The 70 Duster with the 170 or 225 cu.in. Six cylinder was also a good low buck car back in the day if you were ok driving a slow stocker. The 273 2 barrel 65 wagon is still competitive today in U/SA.

[Mark Yacavone]

87 Monte, 262
If you can't figure out how to go 15.50, cheaply, with that, perhaps you're in the wrong section of this forum. Right, Bob?

[Bob Shaw]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

87 Monte, 262
If you can't figure out how to go 15.50, cheaply, with that, perhaps you're in the wrong section of this forum. Right, Bob?

Mark,
You have to remove the muffler and air cleaner and raise the fuel pressure a little,

[Chris Barnes]

What about the "quadraports"? There are still bargains to be had in the four doors. I know it's no dime rocket but you can hang aluminum parts and a Max Wedge on a '64 Dodge/Plymouth, unlike my 64 wagon! Speaking of which, wagons can still be a bargain...