Indholdsfortegnelse for November 1964 i Hot Rod

Doing hundreds of laps around high speed test tracks is but a part of the rugged testing program AC Fire-Ring Spark Plugs constantly undergo, Grueling test runs are made under the watchful supervision of AC engineers. The result: ACs surpass the exacting requirements of today's modern car engines—ACs prove themselves best for all makes and models, To help get maximum power and performance from your car, install testtrack-proved AC Fire-Ring Spark Plugs with your next tune-up. Gain the power-boosting benefits of AC's exclusive Self-Cleaning Hot Tip Insulator,…

The phone rang at our desk one morning a few weeks ago and little did we know as we reached for the receiver that we would soon come up with a story unfolding the secrets of the most successful, most feared competitor in drag racing. It was the long distance operator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the party calling was Don Garlits. “Hello, Don,” we said, “we've just been reading that you've finally done the impossible and broken the 200 mile per hour mark for the quarter. Congratulations!” “Thanks, Ray, I've got the answer now and I believe I can break 200 almost any time I want to from now on. As a matter of fact, I did it again twice last weekend at Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey,…

There are countless dozens of leading championship drag racing events each year, many of which are jammed with high-calibre entries and abound with the resulting expected excitement not always common at the local weekend digs. But few drag races, if any, except the National Hot Rod Association Nationals and Winternationals Championships, can boast the popularity and following of the World Series of Drag Racing, held annually at the Cordova Dragway. Cordova is in the northwest corner of Illinois, just outside Moline, which is one of the nation's Quad-Cities, a group of four industrial municipalities situated on the Mississippi River. The Dragway, under the direction of Bob Bartel, has been in operation since 1956 and has hosted the annual Series, as it is referred to by local fans, since 1957, when…

Jawohl! Der Gerstner's AA/A '34 Ford, built by 23-year-old Ron Gerstner, is a quarter-miler his fadder und gross-fadder would be proud of. Top has been chopped 5 inches, with stoutly braced roll bar extending through for extra driver protection. Body is slid aft on frame 12 inches to gain weight transfer and space for set-back mill. Various niceties include streamlined door hinges, unitized hood/grille arrangement. Das grosserkompressor mitt Hilborn 4-porter und scoopen on getoppen fairly well hides '58 Chrysler of original 392 cubic inches. Pistons were replaced by Forgedtrues in blower pattern with 9.5 to 1 compression ratio, however, twisting crank via Howard alloy rods. Action at valves originates with Isky 5-cycle roller stick and lifters, tube pushrods to Gotha rockers. 6-71 kompressor is Gilmer belt driven 1:1. With typical…

Nobody comes away from Bonneville empty-handed; Roger Reiman got a.1 mouth full of salt and the distinction of being the fastest 250cc jockey in the country, Harley-Davidson found out just how sharp their Racing Director Dick O'Brien really was, Goodyear added a page to their notebook on tire pressure vs. mud, and Stormy Mangham got a toe-hold on some world bike records that seem sure to follow. Although the Harley-Davidson speed safari did not complete its mission, that of bettering the 230 mph motorcycle world speed record in the unlimited class and the 150 mph mark in the 15-inch category, they did exhibit a rare show of strength and preparation in the face of ridiculous odds that would have completely discouraged a competitor of lesser fortitude and ability. As a…

Although the versatile little Corvair engine has appeared in almost every guise the hot rodder could conceive, it remained for Bob Laughton of Monza Enterprises in Sherman Oaks, California, to come up with this most unique application. Bob's shop specializes in Corvair maintenance and, during a moment of contemplation on a tired Merc outboard in need of overhaul, he came up with the idea of substituting the air-cooled Chevy mill in place of the marine unit. Here's what had to be done. Adaptor plates were machined and a driveshaft made up to join the rear of the Corvair crank to the Merc prop shaft. With the engine standing on end, a new carburetion system had to be found; Bob remembered seeing Del Orto cycle carbs used on an engine of…

The next time somebody quotes that old bit about “Well you can't please everybody!"—just point a stubby finger at Fairlane. In particular, point at Fairlane's marriage of the 289-cu.-in. High Performance V-8 to a special version of Ford's three-speed automatic. Everybody knows about this 289 by now; 271 horsepower, beautiful balance and breathing and revs that just never quit, a solid little classic of a V-8. But mostly you think of it with four-on-the-floor and some big muscular chap (you?) throwing power shifts. Scratch that; you can now think of your wife or Good Friend opening the gate on all those shaggy little horses while a beefy Cruise-O-Matic sits on the lid up to 5000 r.p.m.! How's that for an option? It's certainly a big step in the something-for-everyone direction.…

BY ERIC DAHLQUIST The Bonneville Speed Trials are a state of mind rather than just another automotive event. Part of it is the limitlessness of the salt flats site, rimmed by distant craggy peaks that awe the viewer with a sense of a higher purpose. Part of it is the wide cross-section of exotic machinery, built for this once-a-year binge and towed from the corners of the country. But mostly it is the people who attend the meet year after year; those who officiate and those who run. There are individuals like Multy Aldrich, tech inspector, whose authoritative voice would make an insurance underwriter's sleep peaceful, and Bob Higbee, the starter who instructs each contestant as to the course's condition, suggests the best path and bids them farewell with a…

Oldsmobile and Cadillac brought out the first “modern” short-stroke overhead-valve V8 designs at the same time, in the fall of 1948. They started a trend that revolutionized the auto industry. The fact that these basic designs are still competitive after 15 years of production is good evidence that the idea was “right” from the start. In fact the Olds “Rocket” engine has become one of the more popular power sources in the hot rod field in the last few years. It has good performance potential, can be bored and stroked to huge cube sizes, it's reasonably light, it's cheap and plentiful in salvage yards — and, most important, there is no biginch V8 in the industry that is more rugged. The Rocket can probably take more punishment under big high-pressure…

Fremont, California…

Get a new set of wheels in the Army. Ten feet across or scooter size, there are more wheels in the Army than in any other organization in the Free World. Some are an adventure to drive, others take you to adventure —and, if you want, you can learn what makes each one roll. You're not alone in today's action Army. Every experience you have is shared with other great guys. Regular guys who are learning, earning, growing, going, serving our Country, developing themselves. Just as you are. But the wonder of these experiences is yours alone. No one can tell you how great it feels to master a difficult specialty like computer programming, missile repair, electronics, or construction. No one can live the excitement of landing in a foreign…

The racing is fast and furious at Detroit Dragway's Championship meet. It's the week before the Big Go at Indianapolis, and cars from all over the country pull in on their way to the Nationals to test the competition. The results of this meet demonstrate once again that you can depend on Champion spark plugs to get the job done—with spark to spare! For street or strip, Champion has the right plug for your car, too. So why go with less? Get Champions.…

After an absence of three years, the National Kart Championships returned to California, and with a roar. Both the Enduro and Sprint Championships were held in the Riverside, California area. The Enduro event was run on the famed Riverside Raceway 2.6-mile road racing course, while the Sprints were held a few miles away on the, 6-mile Adams Kart Track. Enduro action got underway on Friday, August 21, with over 500 entrants blazing around the famed road racing course for four days to determine championships in all IKF Enduro classes. The action then moved to the Adams Kart Track to determine the Sprint Class Champions. Practice for all classes was held on Wednesday, August 26, with qualifying for all classes on Thursday and Friday. Saturday was reserved for Consolation and Semi-Main…

St. Louis. Missouri…

Woodworker Rogers got his first taste of metal work when he was unable to find a shop capable of his standards to restore the body; buying all the tools, he started on-the-job training. Check his work over closely: '32 Ford rails tucked 9 inches inside '29 Ford body, with belly pan from firewall to tail, and a shortened cowl to provide full engine access. Radiator in '29 shell is slung low behind glass-smooth rails and crossmember. Further evidence of Rogers' ability is seen in fine detailing of radius rods and exposed steering components. Cuno-type fuel filter is between frame and engine; handle for cleaning is atop it. Beneath the brilliance of thick chrome is a 241-inch '54 Dodge, its range extended by an Isky D-800 cam with solid lifters and…

Here's half the picture Here's the other half You don't build a hairy mill like this one by looking over your shoulder. You start from scratch. Absolute. Sweat off pounds and bulk with special iron alloys and casting techniques. Add sinew with a forged crank that takes its thrust on the center bearing. The precision of integrally-cast valve guides. Lightweight rocker arms for better lubrication. A wedge-shaped combustion chamber with more potent compression. That's Oldsmobile's new 425-cubic-inch Super Rocket—available in 300-, 310- and 360-bhp., including a regular-gas version. The 1965 Olds Dynamic 88 with a Super Rocket V-8 tucked under its hood! This powerhouse-on-wheels flattens hills like they were going out of style. Loafs along at turnpike speeds with inches of reserve action under the throttle. Strong claims? You bet…