Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

X-Tech Man,
Thanks for the correction, I was only guessing on the 302 Z-28
cross-ram engines.
Stricklers red 68' Z-28 SS/F was the 'hot ticket'.
Now for a Mopar question, in 1969 was anyone running 69' 440 Cuda's in C/SA with success. I found a Jim Rothmeier out of Laporte, Iowa
running a Chuck Ostrich prepped car. What was the main problem, the car couldn't hook-up with 7" slicks, and the nose-heavy 440 in the car?
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

The Direct Connection "Bible" (factory race tech bulletins by Larry Sheppard primarily) gave a dozen or so reasons why the B & RB A-bodies could not be run successfully given the parts and suspension of the day.
Neil Smedley and I built a 440 '69 Dart w/ Super Stock springs, 9" slicks and a 12.5:1 bracket engine with an 8" ATI convertor back in the early '80's, just to see if it could be done. The car was a former G/SA 340 car so other than the engine, all stock legal. We instantly proved ma MOPAR wrong as the car hooked and I enjoyed my first wheelie. And it wasn't a little one either. We later put a equally built 383 in the car. Solid mid 11 second car and traction was never an issue.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

The 9 inch tires made the difference. I ran on 7 inch tires up thru the end of 1971 and it was tough even with a small block Vette.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Well, thanks for the answewrs regarding the x-ram Camaros, but WHY? Enough were built/availible and yes, I never saw one. I always thought they'd make a good car to go against the 396/325hp cars. Back in NY wwhere I grew up I was privvy to see Scott Schafiroff's Z/28 do real well in AHRA's GT classes (Truppi-Kling motor as I recall) and always wondered how it'd do with an x-ram. Motion Performance had a "Z/30" package as I recall that ran a x-ram. I only saw one of these things & the car (a Camaro) ran solid mid-11s---- not bad at all back in the day for a street smallblock.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

It (the X Ram) was never assembly line installed. If you ordered the X Ram it came in the trunk. Either the dealer installed it or you did the job yourself. No over the counter parts were allowed in stock which is why the 389 SD Pontiacs (1960-1961) were outlawed and dropped from the class guide. I bought a new British Racing Green with white stripes, spoiler package and console with gages, and black interior 68 Z-28 and went over the order sheet with the salesman. You could also order rear disc brakes and Doug headers which also came in the trunk. The cowl cold air air cleaner was also an option but it was installed from the factory. The NHRA stock rules were more restrictive back then. The stockers had to come with a transmission, rear end, and be fully assembled on a standard assembly line which is not like what we see today. . The headers were an allowed add on in stock so you could use the GM parts or get them from another supplier.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

By the way....the Bronze colored Z-28 that Jerry McNish (sp?) owns and used to race in E/S before building his new record holder is the real deal Dave Strickler "Old Reliable" World Champion SS/F Camaro if you didnt already know that. He is without a doubt the most knowledgeable Z-28 guy on the planet in my opinion.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Thanks! I kinda suspected that was the reason & I knew about the headers & brakes being in the trunk when ordered. BUt as you mwntioned, the ehaders were allowed so I don't see the difference between allowing a bolt-on factory exhaust system & a bolt-on factory intake system, but I guess it's just the way it was back then. Personally, I think they should go back to alot of the old Stock rules..........

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

The rear disc brakes were installed at the factory on the assembly line if you ordered them. The X Ram intake and headers came in the trunk if you ordered them.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

X-Tech Man,
I tried to race my 69' 440 Cuda back in 73'/74' (Pure-stock era).
No headers and grooved street-cheater slicks. I did a 360 coming off the line at Dover Drag Strip. Nearly wiping out the brand-new Chrondek-tree. After about a half-dozen or so line-launches, I finally figured out that I had to feather the car off the line for about 80' or so, before punching it.
It still got out-of-shape.
Couldn't find anybody running them in C/SA.
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

I remember the "Good Ole Days" 1961-1966. The 7 inch caslers, etc. were next to nothing and track prep was non existant except for sweeping. I remember the 409,s, Max wedges, 406 Ford,s not getting on the throttle all the way until they were 60 to 80+ feet off the line. Wheel stands and wheelie bars were NOT the order of the day.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

The results are in...
The winner of the "Ultimate Musclecar That Should Have Been Made"
Bret Kepner with........1966 L-88 Amphicar.
2350 lb 4-speed. Car could probably run 10.50's with the propeller's
engaged!
Wouldn't want to put that floatation vehicle in the water with that engine:eek:
Paul,,

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

10.50's on land but how fast in the water.....wow, you could drag race it on land and in the water!

JimR

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
If you had an L-88 Amphicar and lived in Detroit, you could actually take take the car to Niagara Drag Strip in New York, by way of Lake Erie.
As long as you kept the revs up, the nose would stay up. Drive the car to the docks in Western New York, and on to the Drag Strip.
Not sure on MPG in the water. One thing to be aware of, if you stopped in the water, the car would drop like the 'Titanic', nose first:D.
So, when you entered the water, you had to be going 100MPH to keep the car afloat:eek:
At least we can dream a little..
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Paul,

If you put a blower on it and ran nitro you could run funny car and pro fuel drag boat! Streetability would suffer somewhat !

JimR

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

The Amphicar is rear engined. It wouldn't get nose heavy. The ZL-1 option would save some weight here:D. At 430 factory rated HP, 10 times the 43 HP Triumph they came with factory.

A friend of mine restored one of these for a customer about 20 years ago. I don't know if he water tested it?

There used to be a few of them in my home town with a recreational lake here. Some of us were camped out along with a couple of kegs just below the Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River. An Amphicar came down the park entrance road with a county sheriffs car in pursuit. The driver with his passenger dived into the river at the boat ramp at about 40 mph. It kind of nosed in but bobbed up, they engaged the props and went downstream.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

I'd really like to see a factory rear wheel drive 2010 Chevy HHR panel van equipped w/a LS V8 motor....Run them w/the GT/ trucks, or whatever, maybe even as a stocker if production warrants it.....they're quite cool-looking and could possibly be a lightweight fairly budget- friendly racer....WJ

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

WJ,
This is now a water-based musclecar thread;)
Do you think the Amphicar with the L-88 could have utilized the props from the 'Titanic'.
An alternative French-based musclecar, the 1965 Peugeut 404
Cabriolet, with a Chevy 327.
Paul,,Please pass the 'Grey Poupon'

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

You guys have been drinking your own dirty bath water......lol.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

X-Tech,
No, just the backwash from the Amphicar props....:D
Any Fiat 'Musclecars'???
PC

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Ford Fairmont with a 460. Afterall it was on the Fox (Mustang) Platformhttp://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Martin1981.jpg
Bob Glidden - Dyno Don

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Bret,

Here's another one from the land of partial reality:

PT Cruiser with the SRT6 blown Mercedes 6cyl and rear wheel drive.

JimR

Remembering Miss Cleo Chandler.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
I think this thread should be called "Can You Top This Musclecar"
I'll give your PT Cruiser a run...
Here goes,,
1954 Mivalino,, with a ZL-1.
I'm not sure, what weighs more, the car or the engine???
And you only need (3) wheels...
Who would drive that car.??,,
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

I knew somebody that had this exact combo in a '65 Chevy II, 12 bolt posi, street gears and skinny tires... I don't think it was ever pointed straight, lol!

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

If they only could have kept them from rusting here up north. I had a 4spd. 283 SS Nova in HS. It was only 5 years old and needed two quarters due to rust!

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

That was around 74 or 75 and the car's sheetmetal was good. However my family had a 63 Chevy II SW that was bought used in 65 and rusted through in 69 when it got replaced.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Buddy Holly's '58 Impala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mppMP...eature=related

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Paul,

Since we're in the twilight zone I'll see your Mivalino and raise you one Messerschmitt with an aluminum hemi and one goodyear slick.....and a prayer!

JimR

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
You out did me with the 'buzz-bomber'.
Lots of Chevy II's mentioned. I do remember a 1967 Chevy II SS
with only a 283/195HP 2-barrel 4-speed. Did they make Super Sports
with only the 283 2-barrel.
Ran in M/S, I think in 1969.
PC

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Paul,

A car I always wanted to build but could never afford it: 1955 Chevy 2 dr Sedan with a complete street Hemi, 4sp, and dana..........a sleeper!

JimR

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
You like putting Hemi's in the Chevy's.. I think that is illegal in some states:).
Almost done by my father in 1970, a nice little street-sleeper, he wanted to take my mothers 1964 Plymouth V-100 Valiant station wagon,
red-colored with the push-button transmission. Re-do it with a
Keith-Black 305, and tunnel-ram, and Vitar transmission. I think it would have been classed in F/MP.
The plan, was that the Corner Deli was only a 1/4 mile away, and my father figured that my mother could get there in 11.50 for the fresh
Canoli's on Sunday morning:eek:
It still would make a nice sleeper, minus the tunnel-ram.
Paul,,,,Keep the hits coming!!!

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Paul,

It's funny that you would mention the Valiant wagon.

When I lived in New Jersey we used to go to Langhorn Pa for the races and to look at the various used car lots. One time we went over and I was looking at a Galaxy 500 427 R 4sp car and my girlfriend said "Isn't this cute" and parked beside the Ford was a '65 V200 wagon with factory 273/235 and 4 speed. I dismissed it immediately, looking at the big inch stuff instead, besides, what High School kid wanted a stationwagon?

JimR

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
You should have listened to your girlfriend. Back in High School, the station wagons had many uses;).
Of course the 65' V-200 had a few more options than the standard
V-100.
Now the Signet, were talking 'big bucks'.
All the 'bells and whistles'. Out of my league!!!
By the way, the 65' 273/235HP cars were the best of the bunch.
Not in looks, but in performance. A Hurst shifter (standard), and a
hollowed out muffler.
1966, the horrible 'Inland' shifter and a more restrictive muffler.
Station wagon, 'Where are all the women at??'
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
Mercury Bobcat or AMC Spirit?
PC

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Spirit with a 401 4sp and 8 3/4.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Jim,
I knew you'd go AMC.
A blast from the past, 1974 Matador-X with a 401.
Car Craft got a stock one to go 15.38. Not too shabby.
By the way, you get one that turned into an airplane.
ie; James Bond 'The Man with the Golden Gun'
Came with Britt Eklund in the trunk:D
Limited Warranty.
Paul

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

How about a 1970 Maverick with the 429 SCJ
c6 or Top Loader manual
Bench seat only
plain wrapper only

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

I have an idea that you Buick fans may like...how about the Buick Skyhawk with the engine out of the GNX in it? Heck, if it could get the GNX Regal to run 13.2's in '87, imagine what it would've done with the much lighter Skyhawk...Lane what do you think of that one bud?

Or how about you this one for the Mopar contingent...The Dodge Shadow and Daytona with that wicked 340 in it?

They could've made special edition rwd versions of those cars, as well as a 351 Cleveland (or even a 302), for the Ford Tempo.

Chevrolet could've had their Cavalier line converted to rwd and had a choice between the 302 & 350 V8's available too???

Talk about pocket rockets..... :)

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

Mopar Performance did offer somewhat of a v8 and rwd conversion kit for the Daytona.

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

401 powered 70s CJ-5, a buddy of mine built one and it was scary

Re: Musclecars That Should Have Been Made
 

That's cool Peter, but I wish they would've made that into a regular production offering to challenge the Mustangs, Camaro's and Firebirds of their time...that would've been cool to see, and as an OEM offering too? Nice......