Optional Super Stock Indy 1961

[troublemaker427]

I have a question I hope some of you folks on this site can help me with. I've been researching the 1961 Indy Nationals and specifically Super Stock.. I have obtained a 1961 program that contains the entries but is not broken down into classes. I know they ran a class called Optional Super Stock which basically was the forerunner to AFX. Did they also run SS and the cars with the latest updated engine "packages" run O/SS or did O/SS cover all of the cars eligible for SS? Is a breakdown available of eliminations in O/SS anywhere? I've been trying to find a 1961 National Dragster with the event coverage but I haven't found one yet. The Hot Rod/Car Craft coverage of the event only hits the highlights and only mentions both Dyno and Beswick were DQ for unapproved parts.
I feel in many ways the O/SS class at Indy in 1961 was a very historical event. It basically opened NHRA's eyes to how popular SS racing was to become. It also was the "breakout" event for Chryslers drag racing program with the success of the Ramchargers there.

I'd really like to learn more about that event but photos and detailed coverage is hard to find. Any help you guys may offer is appreciated.

[Travis Miller]

O/SS is not mentioned in the 1961 NHRA rulebook while Factory Experimental does show up in the 1962 NHRA rulebook. There are photos of cars at Indy with class designation of O/SS and O/SA. Since Stock classes in 1961 went from Super/Stock on top and continued with A/S down through K/S, the designations of O/SS was for Optional Stock Stick and O/SA for Optional Stock Automatic.

Here is the class winner in Optional/Stock Automatic....

[troublemaker427]

Travis, thanks for posting. Everything I've been able to find regarding O/SS including period coverage calls it Optional Super Stock or Optional Super Stock Automatic. It appears NHRA created the class on the fly for Indy because of all of the "service packages" that the manufacturers were cranking out at the time.


From what I can tell Strickler & Nicholson were basically running the '62 409-409 engine and the Thompson/Profitt Pontiac was using the 421SD. I also believe the stick Fords had 4-speeds in them. This also explains the Fords winning O/SA with an automatic transmission when they were never factory available behind a 390-401.


NHRA went on to finally recognize "Stock" car records in October 1961 at York. Dave Strickler set the first ever "Super Stock" record at 13.24 @ 106.64. I've actually held this record in my hand as Mike Strickler still has it.

[Travis Miller]

O/SS allowed a hood scoop and some look homemade.

[Carguy49]

I'd really like to learn more about that event but photos and detailed coverage is hard to find. Any help you guys may offer is appreciated.



Jody, If you really want to learn more about this era, there is a very good book available. The title is - Super Stock - Drag Racing the Family Sedan, by Larry Davis. The book was printed in 2010 and is very good reading with lots of photos. It should still be available from Amazon or through your local book store (Barnes and Noble) or such. I don't believe the book covers the event in question with much detail but covers the era (55-68) very well and can answer many questions you might have.

[FED 387]

look at this website ---"MRE Books" under 1961 Super stock--- it explains in quite a bit of detail the difference in the classes then --- it goes on to explain 1961 rules-- then on to 1962--- then on to 1963 --lists weight breaks allowable equipment ---equipment that was NOT allowed etc. on a year by year basis.. Might answer all your ???? FED 387

[troublemaker427]

I have the book, the details/photos are limited. I thought someone on here may have more to offer. MRE Books and Larry Davis' book are the same...

[Charlie A]

I used to have a 61 Dodge Phoenix 2dr hardtop.

Big memories triggered by this one.
(mine was a red 318) :

[Travis Miller]

61 Ford vs 61 Chevy in O/SS.

[dplotkin]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

, ...there is a very good book available. The title is - Super Stock - Drag Racing the Family Sedan, by Larry Davis...

Gentlemen, please forgive me for hijacking this 3 year old thread. I found it doing a search and signed up so I could ask you a question about the subject at hand (3 years ago).


I was given a copy of Davis's book and it was life changing. I decided then and there I would have a Superstock, but one I could use on the street, and it had to be interesting. I didn't want to be driving yet another 62-64 Max Wedge B Body. I found a 61 Plymouth Savoy & built it to resemble what a purpose built ram inducted 61 Savoy would be if so ordered. You can read about it if you are interested at a Hemming's Muscle Car Magazine feature from 2007 here:

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mu...y/1676817.html


Back to my question: What did guys who ran 61 Dodge & Plymouth cars typically have for a power plant? Was it a 383 4 barrel, or the 383 Ram Induction? Did anyone lay hands on a 413? There was a 61 Savoy like mine called Rambunctious (See photo) and I would love to know what is under that hood. AMA specs listed a 413 but I cannot confirm any wound up in a 61 Plymouth.


Any info would be sincerely appreciated.


Dan