4 speeds for 55-56 chevrolet superstockers

[bill dedman]

NHRA allowed the 4-speed HydraMatic in Chevy sedan deliveries and El Caminos from about 1964 until they pulled the plug on all the "Dual-Range" 4-speed HydraMatics somewhere arounf 1972 or '73....not sure of the exact dates.

Nomads were just fancy station wagons and had to run Powerglides, like a sedan.

How they ever got approved is not exactly known; I heard that some guy from California, who was a close friend of a Division Tech Director (perhaps, Div. VII), had a 348-powered Stocker that was an El Camino, and was licensed as a truck in California. He supposedly convinced this Division Tech guy that since it was licensed as a truck, it should be allowed to use a truck transmission. Chevy trucks at that time,didn't use Powerglides... they had 4-speed HydraMatics. I don't know how much of that story, if any, is true, so, please don't quote me. It was a l-o-n-g time ago...

This was during a period of time when torque converter science was in its infancy. It was very difficult, if not impossible, to get a decent hi-stall converter for a Powerglide transmission.

The NHRA rules at the time, allowed virtually any engine in the Blueprint Specs to run in virtually any body, so it was legal and feasible to run a 283 c.i.d., F.I. 283 horsepower motor in a '57 Chevy sedan delivery, for example, with a 4-speed HydraMatic tranny. These transmissions had a fluid coupling instead of a torque converter, and were very easy to modify for high stall speeds.

The news of this transmission, its superior performance, and its across-the-board legality in Chevy "trucks" (sedan deliveries and El Caminos, included), spread like wildfire, and soon, they were populating every class from about E/SA down to N/SA, whicjh was the bottom "automatic." class for V8's at the time (16 pounds per hp???)

At one point, they held virtually every record from E to N... with "host" vehicles ranging from '55 Chevy sedan deliveries with 4-bbl "Power Pack" 265s in N/SA (high 14's) up to '57 Chevy F-I- 283/283hp sedan deliveries, running mid- 13's in E/SA.

I remember a letter-to-the-editor of National DRAGSTER from the wife of the driver/builder of "BIG DADDY": (not Garlits), a '60 Buick convertible G/SA Stocker from Lafayette, Indiana (Russ Matthews) who announced that her elderly husband was giving up trying to compete with these "fantasy cars" that were never built by the factory. He'd been a national record holder for years with his 401/nailhead/Dynaflow Buick, but the sedan deliveries made his car uncompetitive. So, he was quitting. She just wanted everyone to know why.

I think that letter MAY have precipitated some action...

It wasn't too long after that, that NHRA bit the bullet and disallowed that "truck" transmission in sedan deliveries and El Caminos.

The reason they were disallowed is that NHRA finally (albeit, tacitly) admitted that the Chevy factory never put that transmission in passenger-car based vehicles. It was in pickups, panel trucks, and larger Chevy trucks, but NEVER in sedan deliveries (or, El Caminos.)

I built one of the first ones to hit the strip in 1965, and I remember pouring over Chevy parts books, trying to find motor (rear) mounts that would fit the engine/tranny and the sedan crossmember.

No go; they had mounts for Powerglides in sedans, and mounts for Hydros in Pickup trucks, but NOTHING for a Hydro-to-sedan cross-memeber (which is what the sedan delivery had... because it was, in essence, just a station wagon with 2 doors.)

So, like everyone else, I had to build my own... LOL!

With the advent of Marvin Ripes' (and, others') new hi-stall Powerglide converters, it soon became a moot point, anyway.

This whole deal was a major embarrassment for NHRA, and one that I'm not sure they'll ever live down. It's been 35 years since they pulled the plug on the hydros in the sedan deliveries, and people still talk about it...

You'd think they would have learned something about the bogus legalization of "never-never" combos...

[Tom Dorsey]

This is the proposel that I sent, to the Tech. Dept. of NHRA! Gentelmen, I would like to suggest a "rule change" pertaining to the 55-57 Chevy Super Stock Stick Cars. The Change in which I am asking is the following. That you allow the handful of these cars to be allowed to run a Four Speed Transmission instead of a Three Speed Transmission. I feel that the 3 speed is at a disadvantage when trying to compete with other COMBOS with 4 Speeds.I have talked to others,(East Coast to the West Coast) and we are all in agreement,that if the rule could be changed, this would make these cars more competitive.I think,that a lot of people would like to see these cars in competition.For a long time to come. I remember a few years back ESPN2 showed a 55 Super Stocker(Gary Howe)as a feature at a National Race. Don't remember which one! Looks like ESPN2 thought these cars have eye appeal as well. I have noticed the 2008 rule change, that the THREE SPEED Automatic is allowed to be used over the 2 Speeds.
I have a 56 150 Sedan im considering to build for N,M Stick Class.I would be more comfortable about doing this , knowing that I would be to compete with a 4 Speed. Thanks for your time and consideration Tom Dorsey Member #406383

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Tom Dorsey

This is the proposel that I sent, to the Tech. Dept. of NHRA! Gentelmen, I would like to suggest a "rule change" pertaining to the 55-57 Chevy Super Stock Stick Cars. The Change in which I am asking is the following. That you allow the handful of these cars to be allowed to run a Four Speed Transmission instead of a Three Speed Transmission. I feel that the 3 speed is at a disadvantage when trying to compete with other COMBOS with 4 Speeds.I have talked to others,(East Coast to the West Coast) and we are all in agreement,that if the rule could be changed, this would make these cars more competitive.I think,that a lot of people would like to see these cars in competition.For a long time to come. I remember a few years back ESPN2 showed a 55 Super Stocker(Gary Howe)as a feature at a National Race. Don't remember which one! Looks like ESPN2 thought these cars have eye appeal as well. I have noticed the 2008 rule change, that the THREE SPEED Automatic is allowed to be used over the 2 Speeds.
I have a 56 150 Sedan im considering to build for N,M Stick Class.I would be more comfortable about doing this , knowing that I would be to compete with a 4 Speed. Thanks for your time and consideration Tom Dorsey Member #406383

Your car didn't come with a 4 speed.Why should you be allowed to put one in?Don't like the glide issue?Spend some energy letting NHRA know your feelings,instead of adding to the cluster &?#* that they've created already.

Ed F.
NHRA #1945
IHRA #14
T/SA
I want my 401
WAAAAAAAAAAA

[Speedracer]

Why don't you guys write a letter that says that 55-56 Chevrolet Superstockers should be able to run a 150 horsepower Nitrous kit?
Blower?


I would think that would help a little more than an extra gear.

[Mark Yacavone]

"I remember a letter-to-the-editor of National DRAGSTER from the wife of the driver/builder of "BIG DADDY": (not Garlits), a '60 Buick convertible G/SA Stocker from Lafayette, Indiana (Russ Matthews) who announced that her elderly husband was giving up trying to compete with these "fantasy cars" that were never built by the factory. He'd been a national record holder for years with his 401/nailhead/Dynaflow Buick, but the sedan deliveries made his car uncompetitive. So, he was quitting. She just wanted everyone to know "


Bill,
Looks like Big Daddy missed the boat back then .GM already had an early TH 400 that would bolt right up to the Buick Nailhead motor. All he had to do was call 1 800 - CRY- NHRA and ask for it. You know, in the interest of fairness.
Oh wait, that line wasn't in use back then . Well, maybe Farmer would have changed it for him . What do you think ,guys?

[bill dedman]

Farmer's comment to such a request wouldn't be anything printable here (this is a "family" forum.)

But, that was then; this is now...

[Mark Tallent]

I'm Gonna send this as well LOL




This is the proposel that I sent, to the Tech. Dept. of NHRA! Gentelmen, I would like to suggest a "rule change" pertaining to the 64~73 Ford Super Stock Stick Cars. The Change in which I am asking is the following. That you allow the handful of these cars to be allowed to run a Five Speed Transmission instead of a Four Speed Transmission. I feel that the 4 speed is at a disadvantage when trying to compete with other COMBOS with 5 Speeds.I have talked to others,(East Coast to the West Coast) and we are all in agreement,that if the rule could be changed, this would make these cars more competitive.I think,that a lot of people would like to see these cars in competition.For a long time to come. I remember a few years back ESPN2 showed a 69 Super Stocker(Red LeBlanc)as a feature at a National Race. Don't remember which one! Looks like ESPN2 thought these cars have eye appeal as well. I have noticed the 2008 rule change, that the THREE SPEED Automatic is allowed to be used over the 2 Speeds.
I have a 64 Sedan im considering to build for L,M Stick Class.I would be more comfortable about doing this , knowing that I would be to compete with a 5 Speed. Thanks for your time and consideration,
Mark Tallent 7724 SS/L


WOW Where does this come from?

[Tony Janes]

Mark I think the 16 HP reduction on the 352 FE is a better gift than a Five Speed. Still have not seen this combo on the track since the early eighties

[Robert Simpson]

I believe that Myron and others that run this combination of a 3spd, under the current updated rules, should be allowed to run a 4spd trans. If I understand this right NHRA said that they have received letters requesting this for some time and I was told by NHRA that they observed a difference between a powerglide car and a turbo car in the same class!!! DUH... My father and I run the 3spd 56 combination and we believe that IF NHRA does continue to go through with this rulling that we to deserve the same "level playing field", that other combinations currently run in the lower classes. I would be completely happy with NHRA leaving everything as it was supposed to be, the correct transmission for the combination claimed. Yes, I do aggree that if this continues then it will continue to dissolve the basis of S/SS racing. It goes to show that all of the recent rule changes have done nothing but increase the cost of being competative and lower NHRA's responsibility to enforce rules. Choose ypur combination and let the HP's eventually work its way out.

[Bill Belden]

Tony, there is a 63 352 running L & M in Div 1