Wally Parks editorial from Dec 1955

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by R J Sledge

Thanks Travis, interesting read.

RJ

So, what was it like RJ? You were there,right?

[NewHemi]

This proves that nothing much has changed over the years.

There are many, many legal cars running. But unfortunately, there are also those that running who are not legal.

We got HP at least twice and even lost class from a car that was not legal, but was never torn down, until very recently.

We have been torn down twice in the last 6 months, and I can say that the guys doing the tear down had no ulterior motive or agenda. They weren't trying to punish us. Their only job was to be sure that my car was legal.

While I respect Wally's opinions on what could have been done, I think the most obvious solution was missed. Tighten up the tear down schedule. If a car goes 1.20 under, tear it down. We got torn down for 1.20 under. Why shouldn't everyone? If a car wins class, tear it down.

Do I enjoy tear downs? Absolutely not! But I think they are absolutely necessary.

The challenge is to keep the playing field level. And letting a car get you horsepower and never being torn down, then found being illegal, and leaving the HP in place is just plain wrong.

This isn't intended to open an opportunity to attack what you see as unfair rules. The rules are the rules. Whether you like them or not, or because you think someone has an advantage because of the rules. Taking advantage of the rules, has always been the strategy of racers. You pick a favorable combo, and race it. So, you don't need to attack me, or the new cars. As you can see things really do level out based on the rules.

So I just say, more stringent enforcement of the rules through tear downs, and appropriate penalties for those caught with an illegal car, is the way to go.

David
The New Hemi Guy

[RJ Sledge]

Yeah Chad I had the "A" Stock 1953 Ford Flathead Business Coupe, I thought it was a legal move to replace the flathead with a 292 dual quad Y-Block out of my brothers 56 Fairlane . Hell it was Stock, so whats the big deal.....Right??

RJ

[bill dedman]

The "big deal" is, Ford never EVER put two 4bbls on a 292... LOL!

You knew that....

[BlueOval Ralph]

In one of the 312 Engine books there is a copy of a Ford Dealer bulletin form the spring of 1956 ( I have the book if I could figure out hot to post it I can scan it) li lists a two fourv and cam kit for the Ford line bolts right on a 292 Buddy Bar cast intake and tea pot Holleys the intake took a different valley pan, one with a recess to clear bottom of intake. Had one on my 1956 Ford Sunliner

Originally Posted by bill dedman

The "big deal" is, Ford never EVER put two 4bbls on a 292... LOL!

You knew that....

[RJ Sledge]

Ralph you are correct, it was a dealer installed option from Ford in the 56 passenger car models. Only the 56 TBird got that combo from the Factory. 292/245hp

Bill you are sort of correct, Ford did not have any Passenger car 292 dual quad 245hp combo's built at the factory, they had the selling dealer install that option before delivery.

RJ

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

speaking of tear downs, i remember the days everybody was torn down after winning class and after you won your eliminator you was torn down in staging lanes after pictures where taken, i still remember Max Hurley coming over, taking a beer out of our cooler and looking at my father and the IHRA tech man grinning and saying, "Hope she is just a little big" after we won the Empire Nationals, lol we was good to go.