66 L72 Biscayne in SuperStock

[Terry Cain]

Trying to remember how many Super Stock classes they had 67-71. Best I can remember it only went to D or maybe E. Remember the Camaro's running D. Maybe the Biscayne didn't fall in the upper classes in Super Stock. Also remember in Stock they ran B stick.

[tommy d]

In 71 they at least had SS/I and J I think. By

[DeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Trying to remember how many Super Stock classes they had 67-71. Best I can remember it only went to D or maybe E. Remember the Camaro's running D. Maybe the Biscayne didn't fall in the upper classes in Super Stock. Also remember in Stock they ran B stick.

Oh, the L72 Biscayne / Impala fit just fine, here are some examples:

66 Biscayne 2dr sedan W/P 3725/425=8.76
1966 B/S=8.70
1967 A/S=8.70

1968 factored to 435hp so 3725/435=8.56
1968 B/S=8.50
1969 C/S=8.50
1970-71 D/S=8.50
The combo ran & won or set records every year in all those classes.


And in SuperStock:
1967 SS/D=8.70
1968 SS/E=8.70 no fit
1968 SS/D=7.70 bad fit
1969 SS/G=8.50
1970-71 SS/F=8.50
Other than the results I’m still hunting for (see below if you have any), the combo is NOWHERE in these classes even though it’s a near perfect fit in 1967-69-70-71.

Maybe it was just money- cost was the same to prep an engine/driveline for a hotter class, so the cost to get these “heavy” cars to run didn’t bring enough winnings. And I did get a PM saying the factory 12-bolt would be iffy if these big cars DID hook up, whereas the tires in Stock back then really couldn’t hurt the axles.

I once had an ex-SS 429SCJ Torino, 3834 lb (heavier than the 66 Biscayne!), and with a 5.14 locker and IIRC 12” slicks it had twisted the 31 spline axles. So even the Ford 9” was living on the edge with the OEM parts back then. Maybe SuperStock would just be too much for the factory 12-bolt stuff back then especially with a 4-speed hitting it.


As noted in this thread:

https://classracer.com/classforum/sh...ad.php?t=84674

I’m still looking for Stock and Superstock results sheets from these NHRA Nationals events:

1970 TX Spring
1970 PA Summer
1971 CA Winter
1971 TX Spring
1971 NJ Summer
(anybody have these?)
But, I don’t see any big Chev’s or Fords up in the SS/ classes.

[Rory McNeil]

According to Dwights site, the 66 full sized Chev with a 427/425 HP is a stick only combo, with SS/F the natural class at 3868 pounds with driver. Sounds like a parts breaker to me. Years ago, I used to help a local racer, who ran 65 Big Chevs in Super Stock. This was in the early-mid 70s, his 65 Biscayne ran SS/KA with a 396/325, he later swapped the running gear into a 65 Impala wagon, which ran SS/LA, I think it was. I remember he ran a Turbo 400, which unless I am mistaken, was the first year for a 3 speed in a Chevy? Back in those days, S/S cars had to retain stock style rear suspension, and those cars had a habit of ripping the upper control arm brackets out, even the BB cars, that had 2 uppers.

[DeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

According to Dwights site, the 66 full sized Chev with a 427/425 HP is a stick only combo, with SS/F the natural class at 3868 pounds with driver. Sounds like a parts breaker to me. Years ago, I used to help a local racer, who ran 65 Big Chevs in Super Stock. This was in the early-mid 70s, his 65 Biscayne ran SS/KA with a 396/325, he later swapped the running gear into a 65 Impala wagon, which ran SS/LA, I think it was. I remember he ran a Turbo 400, which unless I am mistaken, was the first year for a 3 speed in a Chevy? Back in those days, S/S cars had to retain stock style rear suspension, and those cars had a habit of ripping the upper control arm brackets out, even the BB cars, that had 2 uppers.

I hadnt thought of the upper control arm issue.

I have seen examples documented of the big Chev in SS/Auto, not so much impact loading, but it seems indeed the loading was too much to launch a winning stick car.

There was a T400 L72 for its final year 1969 only but it looks like very few were built like under 100. I dont see any of those in the win sheets either for 1969-71 but as I pointed out I'm missing a few event results from those years.

Do you have a link to Dwight's site you referred to?

[Dave Gantz]

Originally Posted by DeuceCoupe

Do you have a link to Dwight's site you referred to?

http://www.classracerinfo.com/ There's a sticky on the S/SS home page.

[Mark Yacavone]

Surprised no one mentioned Richard Feldman. He had a 66 , bought new, I believe.
Raced in stock but was pushed into SS in 1972.

Lots of issues with running one of those cars in the late 60's
Long wheelbase but they would hook hard still..right before they would rip the upper cross member off, or tear the end off an upper trailing arm..If none of the above first, they'd knock the left lower trailing arm bracket off the frame ...This was all with a 283 !
A spool and good axles weren't commonly available in the late 60's either.

Don't forget they overlapped the big block Chevelle and were only one year away from the BBC Camaro and two from the newer Chevy II
Case closed ..Not a big market for a SS full size Chevy.

[Dwight Southerland]

Also surprised no one mentioned Dwight Cox. Although not an L72, one of the hardest running SS Impalas ever;.

[Marty Knox]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Surprised no one mentioned Richard Feldman. He had a 66 , bought new, I believe.
Raced in stock but was pushed into SS in 1972.

Lots of issues with running one of those cars in the late 60's
Long wheelbase but they would hook hard still..right before they would rip the upper cross member off, or tear the end off an upper trailing arm..If none of the above first, they'd knock the left lower trailing arm bracket off the frame ...This was all with a 283 !
A spool and good axles weren't commonly available in the late 60's either.

I tore the end off the upper control arm in my 65 Bel Air 4 door sedan - with a 230 ci 6 cylinder.

[DeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Surprised no one mentioned Richard Feldman. He had a 66 , bought new, I believe.
Raced in stock but was pushed into SS in 1972.

Lots of issues with running one of those cars in the late 60's
Long wheelbase but they would hook hard still..right before they would rip the upper cross member off, or tear the end off an upper trailing arm..If none of the above first, they'd knock the left lower trailing arm bracket off the frame ...This was all with a 283 !
A spool and good axles weren't commonly available in the late 60's either.

Don't forget they overlapped the big block Chevelle and were only one year away from the BBC Camaro and two from the newer Chevy II
Case closed ..Not a big market for a SS full size Chevy.

I do have Feldman as winning D/S=8.50 1971 Summernationals.
No ET or MPH though, that's one of the results sheets I'm still missing.

I can see now a bunch of reasons these didnt appear in SuperStock. A few auto cars maybe but no 4-speeds.