Ray Allen versus Jack Werst '1970 SS/EA Showdown'

[Dan Bennett]

As I remember, the amount of races that car won is surprising because it's really not that many. Allen won a bunch of the high profile races and the car became famous, though I'll never forget how it looked when it launched.

Now that I'm seeing various pictures of the car, some probably dumb questions are coming to mind.

Allen is listed as "driver". Who actually owned the car when it was being raced? Allen? Briggs? Truppi?

Is that really a fiber optic light monitor I see on the front fender in the last shot you posted?

How did T-K make that kind of horsepower with that ridiculous flat intake manifold? The story of why those intakes were on the LS6s is pretty interesting in itself.

[Ed Wright]

Is that really a fiber optic light monitor I see on the front fender in the last shot you posted?

Kidding, right?

[Rich Biebel]

Briggs owned the car and the ramp truck from what I recall at least for that year. We could not keep up with them with our old GMC on the way back from Sanair's WCS race.....

I am no expert but the intake on a Chevelle was lower than others......

The carb mounting pad kind of sunk down to make carb to hood room.....

Not to sure what they did with that one....


The car did leave very cool for the era......I used to laugh and say the rear bumper is going to hit the gorund....

Not sure what the rear tires were on it but XS-11's were "big tires" back then.....

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

As I remember, the amount of races that car won is surprising because it's really not that many. Allen won a bunch of the high profile races and the car became famous, though I'll never forget how it looked when it launched.

Now that I'm seeing various pictures of the car, some probably dumb questions are coming to mind.

Allen is listed as "driver". Who actually owned the car when it was being raced? Allen? Briggs? Truppi?

Is that really a fiber optic light monitor I see on the front fender in the last shot you posted?

How did T-K make that kind of horsepower with that ridiculous flat intake manifold? The story of why those intakes were on the LS6s is pretty interesting in itself.

S/S was allowed any OEM or aftermarket intake back then. Sheet metal intakes didnt become allowed until many years later. Im almost sure they used an Edelbrock Taranchula (sp?) intake but its been a long time ago since I looked at the car in the staging lanes. Kenny Koonce Sr. ran the same type car as an A/SA before he ran his Camaro and used the legal replacement high rise intake and it fit under the hood OK. Im probably wrong but I think the tires were 11.5 wide. The rear fenders looked slightly bowed out to me. This was before tubbing the wheel wells and narowed rears were allowed.

P.S. I just found an article in the December 1970 issue of Super Stock magazine on Ray Allens car. The picture of the engine dosent show the inake very well with the big air cleaner base in the way but it looks like a GM Hi rise intake from a 66-69 427 Camaro or big car. I thought for sure they had an Edelbrock intake on it when I saw it but that was 41 years ago....LOL. The carb is facing straight in the OEM position instead of on an angle. No mention of the rear tire size but are M&H's for sure. Best E.T. was 11.21 @ 123 MPH.

[Rich Biebel]

Terry there were very few single 4 barrell intakes out in 1970 and the Edelbrocks for a rect port BB would have likely been the one that turned the carb off center line to try and minimize the runner length differences...Not sure if that was out yet.....

The Tarantula intakes did not come out untill probably 1971 or 1972 I think

My old Chevy II became a SS/J stick car that year (1972)and had one of those intakes on it with a flat tappet cam....

In 1970? Not sure what might have been available.....

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

Terry there were very few single 4 barrell intakes out in 1970 and the Edelbrocks for a rect port BB would have likely been the one that turned the carb off center line to try and minimize the runner length differences...Not sure if that was out yet.....

The Tarantula intakes did not come out untill probably 1971 or 1972 I think

My old Chevy II became a SS/J stick car that year (1972)and had one of those intakes on it with a flat tappet cam....

In 1970? Not sure what might have been available.....

You are probably correct but I thought the intake mounted the carb on an angle. Its possable they were testing one after they won the world finals. I cant remember. I added to my post after I found an article on the car. 41 years is a long time ago.

[Rich Biebel]

I was in the T/K shop a few times while the Chevelle was in there.

We installed our engine there for our H/S Chevy II....

Ralph....Tommy....Jerry Stinner.....almost always there...

Ray liked to play Darts...He didn't like to get dirty and wore white shoes or pants....LOL

He could drive a 4 speed as good or better than anyone and was the "T/K Test Pilot"

I have a vague memory of Ralph pointing to the low slung intake and it was on the car......Probably early in 1970....

My partner and Ralph would talk ...I hung out in the shop.....Tommy was quiet but a great guy and was always working on something.....

Pretty sure they were in to Bowling.....and all worked stopped on bowling nights......I forget the name of the lanes.....RT 22.....Might still be there....



The shop they occupied then is Charlie Westons and he has been there for many years....

[Jess Suter]

It sure seems like embelished stories are more acceptable then the truth! I have known of the Superbird for almost 40 years! Once again, the same driver CANNOT drive 2 vehicles in the same eliminator! Always has been a rule and probably always will be a rule. The pictures in this post clearly identify that fact!
When the story came out a few years ago, I offered the author a chance to hear the true story, but he declined.
Only a few know the TRUE story behind this fabeled car. Ask Dave Wren or Bob Lambeck-both were present at Indy and were part of the MOPAR contingent.

I do applaud Mr Werst for keeping the story alive

[Hemi Moose]

Originally Posted by Jess Suter

It sure seems like embelished stories are more acceptable then the truth! I have known of the Superbird for almost 40 years! Once again, the same driver CANNOT drive 2 vehicles in the same eliminator! Always has been a rule and probably always will be a rule. The pictures in this post clearly identify that fact!
When the story came out a few years ago, I offered the author a chance to hear the true story, but he declined.
Only a few know the TRUE story behind this fabeled car. Ask Dave Wren or Bob Lambeck-both were present at Indy and were part of the MOPAR contingent.

I do applaud Mr Werst for keeping the story alive

Jess,
Would you care to share anymore information or old stories that YOU might know about these old race cars...True Story...please do tell everyone here.

[BadBanana]

To answer Dan Bennetts question, I believe the Car was always owned by Briggs Chevrolet. The earlier description of Ray Allen staying clean and wearing his white shoes is an accurate one for the most part; Tommy Kling was the diligent worker; Jerry Stinner his willing helper; and Ralph Truppi was the "thinker" - very very intelligent. I will always miss those "deep" theoretical discussions with Ralph.
Dave Colbert