Reunited - Page 2

Jim Wahl · 02-11-2010, 10:46 AM

I still have my '71 Dodge Demon 340 that I ordered from the factory in June of '71 when I was 20 years old. It started out as a street car then an AHRA Stock Option racer then an IHRA Stocker then Super Stocker and finally an NHRA Super Stocker. I have had it in storage since 1987. I look at it almost every day.Oh yeah it has 15,003 original miles on it. Many many memories! Jim

SCOTT SST2871 · 02-11-2010, 11:12 AM

I bought my 71 pontiac ventura in 1984 it was sitting in a field with grass growing around it i paid 50$ for it.it had a 307 3speed.i towed it 10 miles to my shop,pulled the engine and trans and put my pontiac400/th400 in it and drove it my senior year of school.its been raced year round ever since...im leaving for bradenton with it in a few hours
scott fifield

Ed Carpenter · 02-11-2010, 11:16 AM

My dad had a 65 Chevy II he race for about 15 years. I bought and had it for about 8 years and I sold it. It is currently for sale but I just don't have the cash to get it back. I wish I did. When I sold it the car was a 283 stick car. It's now an automatic with a 406 in it. To bad. Ed

Ronnie Smith Jr · 02-11-2010, 03:53 PM

Guys thanks for the replies and keep them coming. Those are good memories for sure. I enjoy reading the replies, it takes my mind off of the 40 inches of snow we have here.

The Chevy II will not be cut up for Super Stock - sorry Ed. I am sure it would be way cool with the 327 stick. With the new clutchless trans rule, it would make it easier for me. I admit to being one of those guys who "can't drive a nail with a hammer" but I would seriously consider that option if I was going back superstock racing.

Mike T - Joe always had nice looking Chevy IIs. I remember them well.

Mike P - Perseverence pays off. Looks like your getting the car dialed in. Good luck.

7423 - Sounds like the Keens have been very successful with the car.

Jim - Awesome info and low mileage to boot. Can it be returned to Stock or street or has it been backhalved for a true superstocker? Either way, good memories.

Danny - Smiles all around. Guaranteed to bring fun to the kids - and to Dad too.

Scott - What a great story. Don't hear of too many field finds anymore. Good luck in Bradenton.

Ed - Good luck with your 283 this year. If you sell the 327, you could have the funds to buy the 65, if that is what you want. Hope it all works out for you. Stay safe.

Love to see pictures. "Post em if you got em".

Ronnie, Jr.

Scotty D · 02-11-2010, 07:00 PM

ronnie,my dad bought a 66 hardtop bench seat 350hp chevy2 in 66 (actually ordered it in 65) it only lasted 13 months before a pole jumped in front of it.but going to the division 3 points meet at edgewater and seeing your dads and noel davis and danny coffmans superstock chevy2's made me fall head over heels for superstock chevy2's,later it was scooter anderson,robin brown and the one that mike cates had and sold to brian self.i bought a 66 when i was in high shool in the mid 80's and have held onto it all this time and now its time for me to do something with it,i have a 13 yr old son that loves going to the race track and its time to do something for us as father,son plus drag racing is such a great family sport that my daughter 6 and other son 3 would also enjoy it very much.so thank your dad for giving alot of people a bug that wont go away.

Angelo DiTocco · 02-11-2010, 07:32 PM

Ronnie -
I regret selling just about every car I ever had

1st car in HS - 69 SS 396 Nova w/ 4sp very clean (sold it) circa 1980
2nd car ...........70 Boss 302 (had it for over 20 years &....... sold it) 1980-2001
3rd car ............2 69 Z28's one silver & one red(didn't have em long sold em to make money) mid 80's
4th ..................70 SS 396 Chevelle Auto/w air - had this car from 85 through 92... reason I sold it?.............. to build an Super Stocker !

All of them were matching # cars at a time when that wasn't that much of a big deal.
The Nova was an animal ! Such a great car....... I was too young to really appreciate it. That was the first car i took to the track "to get a time slip". I street raced it mostly and I just loved working on it. I even let my mother drive it once ! I sold it to a guy in Brooklyn NY & the car was promptly stolen from him.
The Boss belonged to a distant relative who had bought it new. I bought it off him and had it and enjoyed it for a long time - Regretted selling it but that's how it goes.. I used the proceeds to buy real estate - which worked out pretty well.
The Chevelle was a Great car too - I used to use it daily - it had a ride like a Cadilac.
In the 80's people still used to drive these cars around and you'd see them on the street every now and then - Now you really only see them on cruise nights.
I loved em all & wish I could have them back now - I'm sure everyone has a similar story.
when I get my scanner hooked up I will put pics of them in my class racer photo gallery

greg fulk · 02-12-2010, 02:28 AM

Ronnie build it back as a pure stock 283 4bbl. Have two gear set-ups for it. That way you can race it & drive it...Dad's Mustang GT runs a 3.73 on the street & brackets. He then sticks a 4.56 in it to run pure stock (it runs about a .10 under but hey he can race).

Glenn Hayes · 05-18-2011, 11:35 AM

Ronnie,
Great story and pictures. Since you asked for opinions, I'd make it a street car that you and the family can enjoy and have fun with for years to come.
I'd love to see more pictures of it from either back then or today. If you cannot post them up here, I would really appreciate if you could email them to me @ GlennHayesPerformance@gmail.com

I sold my dually truck and trailer and my Chevy II Wagon is licensed so I have been just driving it around town for a couple of years. It's hard on gas, so I'm compelled to pull the engine and 'glide out, as well as the 4.30 gear and spool, and turn it into a street car, keeping my Q-Jet... of course.

Ronnie Smith Jr · 05-18-2011, 02:01 PM

Thanks Glenn for the info. The Chevy II is being completely restored at Steve McCreary's shop. The car took a beating while it sat in a barn for 11 years. Steve has replaced a majority of the panels to make it look right. The plan is for a light resto mod and street enjoyment.

I have a 327 that Bub Whitaker is going to make stronger with Heads Up! heads, factory L-79 intake and carb. Vintage Air Gen IV a/c and front runner system. Undecided about the trans, leaning towards the new RS Keisler 5 speed - definately a stick. Complete Church Boys Racing front suspension including coilover DA shocks with 2 inch drop spindles. Church Boys rear multi-leaf springs with 2 inch drop and DA rear shocks. New 4 wheel disc brakes with upgraded/drilled/slotted rotors. Coys C-5 17" wheels and BF Goodrich Gforce Sport radial tires. Interior will be factory "Fawn" color. Paint will be House of Kolors candy burgundy metallic over silver base.

There are many things for consideration and most of the "list" has not been accomplished yet because of funding. But we will get there maybe later than sooner.

Jack Matyas · 05-18-2011, 02:05 PM

Although it wasn't my first , selling my Ventura was a huge mistake and I wish I had it back today ..............

02-11-2010, 10:46 AM	#11
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 668 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Reunited I still have my '71 Dodge Demon 340 that I ordered from the factory in June of '71 when I was 20 years old. It started out as a street car then an AHRA Stock Option racer then an IHRA Stocker then Super Stocker and finally an NHRA Super Stocker. I have had it in storage since 1987. I look at it almost every day.Oh yeah it has 15,003 original miles on it. Many many memories! Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-11-2010, 11:12 AM	#12
SCOTT SST2871 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PORT ST JOHN FLORIDA Posts: 226 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reunited I bought my 71 pontiac ventura in 1984 it was sitting in a field with grass growing around it i paid 50$ for it.it had a 307 3speed.i towed it 10 miles to my shop,pulled the engine and trans and put my pontiac400/th400 in it and drove it my senior year of school.its been raced year round ever since...im leaving for bradenton with it in a few hours scott fifield

02-11-2010, 11:16 AM	#13
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Reunited My dad had a 65 Chevy II he race for about 15 years. I bought and had it for about 8 years and I sold it. It is currently for sale but I just don't have the cash to get it back. I wish I did. When I sold it the car was a 283 stick car. It's now an automatic with a 406 in it. To bad. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

02-11-2010, 03:53 PM	#14
Ronnie Smith Jr Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 220 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reunited Guys thanks for the replies and keep them coming. Those are good memories for sure. I enjoy reading the replies, it takes my mind off of the 40 inches of snow we have here. The Chevy II will not be cut up for Super Stock - sorry Ed. I am sure it would be way cool with the 327 stick. With the new clutchless trans rule, it would make it easier for me. I admit to being one of those guys who "can't drive a nail with a hammer" but I would seriously consider that option if I was going back superstock racing. Mike T - Joe always had nice looking Chevy IIs. I remember them well. Mike P - Perseverence pays off. Looks like your getting the car dialed in. Good luck. 7423 - Sounds like the Keens have been very successful with the car. Jim - Awesome info and low mileage to boot. Can it be returned to Stock or street or has it been backhalved for a true superstocker? Either way, good memories. Danny - Smiles all around. Guaranteed to bring fun to the kids - and to Dad too. Scott - What a great story. Don't hear of too many field finds anymore. Good luck in Bradenton. Ed - Good luck with your 283 this year. If you sell the 327, you could have the funds to buy the 65, if that is what you want. Hope it all works out for you. Stay safe. Love to see pictures. "Post em if you got em". Ronnie, Jr.

02-11-2010, 07:00 PM	#15
Scotty D Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 139 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reunited ronnie,my dad bought a 66 hardtop bench seat 350hp chevy2 in 66 (actually ordered it in 65) it only lasted 13 months before a pole jumped in front of it.but going to the division 3 points meet at edgewater and seeing your dads and noel davis and danny coffmans superstock chevy2's made me fall head over heels for superstock chevy2's,later it was scooter anderson,robin brown and the one that mike cates had and sold to brian self.i bought a 66 when i was in high shool in the mid 80's and have held onto it all this time and now its time for me to do something with it,i have a 13 yr old son that loves going to the race track and its time to do something for us as father,son plus drag racing is such a great family sport that my daughter 6 and other son 3 would also enjoy it very much.so thank your dad for giving alot of people a bug that wont go away.

02-11-2010, 07:32 PM	#16
Angelo DiTocco Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NY, NY Posts: 750 Likes: 175 Liked 189 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Reunited Ronnie - I regret selling just about every car I ever had 1st car in HS - 69 SS 396 Nova w/ 4sp very clean (sold it) circa 1980 2nd car ...........70 Boss 302 (had it for over 20 years &....... sold it) 1980-2001 3rd car ............2 69 Z28's one silver & one red(didn't have em long sold em to make money) mid 80's 4th ..................70 SS 396 Chevelle Auto/w air - had this car from 85 through 92... reason I sold it?.............. to build an Super Stocker ! All of them were matching # cars at a time when that wasn't that much of a big deal. The Nova was an animal ! Such a great car....... I was too young to really appreciate it. That was the first car i took to the track "to get a time slip". I street raced it mostly and I just loved working on it. I even let my mother drive it once ! I sold it to a guy in Brooklyn NY & the car was promptly stolen from him. The Boss belonged to a distant relative who had bought it new. I bought it off him and had it and enjoyed it for a long time - Regretted selling it but that's how it goes.. I used the proceeds to buy real estate - which worked out pretty well. The Chevelle was a Great car too - I used to use it daily - it had a ride like a Cadilac. In the 80's people still used to drive these cars around and you'd see them on the street every now and then - Now you really only see them on cruise nights. I loved em all & wish I could have them back now - I'm sure everyone has a similar story. when I get my scanner hooked up I will put pics of them in my class racer photo gallery __________________ Angelo DiTocco '98 Firebird SS/HA '98 Firebird B/SA

02-12-2010, 02:28 AM	#17
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Reunited Ronnie build it back as a pure stock 283 4bbl. Have two gear set-ups for it. That way you can race it & drive it...Dad's Mustang GT runs a 3.73 on the street & brackets. He then sticks a 4.56 in it to run pure stock (it runs about a .10 under but hey he can race). __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

05-18-2011, 11:35 AM	#18
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Reunited Ronnie, Great story and pictures. Since you asked for opinions, I'd make it a street car that you and the family can enjoy and have fun with for years to come. I'd love to see more pictures of it from either back then or today. If you cannot post them up here, I would really appreciate if you could email them to me @ GlennHayesPerformance@gmail.com I sold my dually truck and trailer and my Chevy II Wagon is licensed so I have been just driving it around town for a couple of years. It's hard on gas, so I'm compelled to pull the engine and 'glide out, as well as the 4.30 gear and spool, and turn it into a street car, keeping my Q-Jet... of course. __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

05-18-2011, 02:01 PM	#19
Ronnie Smith Jr Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 220 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reunited Thanks Glenn for the info. The Chevy II is being completely restored at Steve McCreary's shop. The car took a beating while it sat in a barn for 11 years. Steve has replaced a majority of the panels to make it look right. The plan is for a light resto mod and street enjoyment. I have a 327 that Bub Whitaker is going to make stronger with Heads Up! heads, factory L-79 intake and carb. Vintage Air Gen IV a/c and front runner system. Undecided about the trans, leaning towards the new RS Keisler 5 speed - definately a stick. Complete Church Boys Racing front suspension including coilover DA shocks with 2 inch drop spindles. Church Boys rear multi-leaf springs with 2 inch drop and DA rear shocks. New 4 wheel disc brakes with upgraded/drilled/slotted rotors. Coys C-5 17" wheels and BF Goodrich Gforce Sport radial tires. Interior will be factory "Fawn" color. Paint will be House of Kolors candy burgundy metallic over silver base. There are many things for consideration and most of the "list" has not been accomplished yet because of funding. But we will get there maybe later than sooner.

05-18-2011, 02:05 PM	#20
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,932 Likes: 408 Liked 2,052 Times in 400 Posts	Re: Reunited Although it wasn't my first , selling my Ventura was a huge mistake and I wish I had it back today .............. __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO Last edited by Jack Matyas; 05-18-2011 at 02:13 PM.