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Woodfin · 01-03-2017, 08:53 PM

I like the concept of lower cost cars. And we all understand "lower cost" is a relative term because we have to buy and work with 2017 dollars.

Since my age is 69 I know and lived the days when most racers built low-cost cars from common parts. In the "beginning" we built with all most exclusively factory parts, the aftermarket as we know it today did not exist. Gradually, during the 1970's and 1980 more and better parts became available.

The first dedicated, trailered drag race car I built was in 1965. It was a 1955 Chevy with 365 horse 327 Corvette warranty engine. [I worked for local Chevy dealer]

With the help of friends, we took it to the track with a total outlay of about $1200.00 We race NHRA D/G [ten pounds per inch] After a few outings we ran 11.90's which was fast at that time.

It was great fun and valuable experience for a bunch of school boys with part-time jobs.

This background snippet helps to explain that while I benefited and learned necessary lessons in those early years I have moved on, times have changed.

I still like the old cars and if money was not an issue I would have a nice Tri-five of some type.

So, in ref to drag racing, [and this is personal] many of the dime rocket, lower cost combos simply do not interest me, too slow, too old, too rusty, too much work to put the body and interior in shape.

For me, at this time, the later model bodies are sooo much easier, no rust, interior in good shape, plenty of cheap body parts, and building a competitive engine is about the same regardless of age or size or class.

As posted about, it's off season so my thoughts from another angle.

01-03-2017, 08:53 PM	#3
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 536 Likes: 8 Liked 274 Times in 105 Posts	Re: The best "Dime Rocket" combos! I like the concept of lower cost cars. And we all understand "lower cost" is a relative term because we have to buy and work with 2017 dollars. Since my age is 69 I know and lived the days when most racers built low-cost cars from common parts. In the "beginning" we built with all most exclusively factory parts, the aftermarket as we know it today did not exist. Gradually, during the 1970's and 1980 more and better parts became available. The first dedicated, trailered drag race car I built was in 1965. It was a 1955 Chevy with 365 horse 327 Corvette warranty engine. [I worked for local Chevy dealer] With the help of friends, we took it to the track with a total outlay of about $1200.00 We race NHRA D/G [ten pounds per inch] After a few outings we ran 11.90's which was fast at that time. It was great fun and valuable experience for a bunch of school boys with part-time jobs. This background snippet helps to explain that while I benefited and learned necessary lessons in those early years I have moved on, times have changed. I still like the old cars and if money was not an issue I would have a nice Tri-five of some type. So, in ref to drag racing, [and this is personal] many of the dime rocket, lower cost combos simply do not interest me, too slow, too old, too rusty, too much work to put the body and interior in shape. For me, at this time, the later model bodies are sooo much easier, no rust, interior in good shape, plenty of cheap body parts, and building a competitive engine is about the same regardless of age or size or class. As posted about, it's off season so my thoughts from another angle.