Originally Posted by Carl Libucha
I am in the process of building a 1955 Bel-Air 2 dr hdtp for Stock Eliminator. I raced the car from 1980 to 1992 in SS/PA, then retired it in 1992 after winning Super Stock at both the IHRA Nitrous Nats and the North American Nats at New England Dragway in Epping NH in1992. The car sat outside covered up for 19 years and at the end of 2010 I decided to go racing again in Super Stock. Then I heard NHRA was allowing the 1950's cars back again in Stock, so I'm going for the challenge. The car will run in P & Q/SA at the present 205 hp.The car is back to stock configuration, body work and paint complete. The engine isn't complete yet, but with all the information known right now, on paper the car will not run the index. When the engine is dynoed, that will tell the real story. The factory 180hp peaked out at 4600 rpm's. Hopefully, with all the latest technology in cams, hyd lifters & springs, the rpm's will be much higher. What NHRA has to do, is lower the hp so every 1955 body style will drop down at least one class. This way, the cars should be able to just run the index or a little under. For an example, AT 205 hp, my car has to weigh 3655 lb min weight with driver for Q/SA (13.80 index). If the hp was lowered to 188 hp, my car would be right at the top of R/SA at 3548.4 lb min weight with driver (14.05 index). I hope NHRA will lower the hp down to 180 hp, otherwise, not too many racer's are going to build these cars. I'm a 1955 Chevy nut, I've always raced a 55 chev. From 1968 to 1971, I raced a 1955 Chev Conv in R/S, then from 1972 to 1979, I ran a 1955 4 dr 210 wagon in SS/U, then the Hdtp in SS/PA from 1980 to 1992.
NHRA, DO YOUR THING, I'M COUNTING ON YOU.
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