Best Pontiac Powered Super Stockers

[oldskool]

I think somebody mentioned Robert Cruzen's 428 powered Cobalt, which has run some high 8 sec passes.

That alum head 428 is quite popular, in GT cars. Since the 428 was not available in an A or F body, I don't know of anybody running a 428, except in GT. But, since a 428 was available in a '69 GP, I assume that maybe somebody ran one of those, somewhere back in the old days. Anybody know of a non-GT car running a 428 ?

Here are pics of Robert's car as well as Todd Frantz's Cobalt. Don't know how many non-Pontiac bodies are now running the Pontiac 428 engine.

The GT rules allow LOTS of different combos. I like the idea of being able to run the older engines in later model bodies. Just curious. For you guys who were in SS, back when they came up with the GT rules, was there a lot pushback from the regular SS guys ? And, exactly what year did the GT rules go into effect ?

[jimmyparker]

The '63 Blue Catalina wagon is probably the Larry Pacey car out of the Miami area. He ran it in Div II for several years and set the record at will.

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I think somebody mentioned Robert Cruzen's 428 powered Cobalt, which has run some high 8 sec passes.

That alum head 428 is quite popular, in GT cars. Since the 428 was not available in an A or F body, I don't know of anybody running a 428, except in GT. But, since a 428 was available in a '69 GP, I assume that maybe somebody ran one of those, somewhere back in the old days. Anybody know of a non-GT car running a 428 ?

Here are pics of Robert's car as well as Todd Frantz's Cobalt. Don't know how many non-Pontiac bodies are now running the Pontiac 428 engine.

The GT rules allow LOTS of different combos. I like the idea of being able to run the older engines in later model bodies. Just curious. For you guys who were in SS, back when they came up with the GT rules, was there a lot pushback from the regular SS guys ? And, exactly what year did the GT rules go into effect ?

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

[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

[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.

[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.