Indholdsfortegnelse for October 1968 i Hot Rod

Cool it, GTO fans. The Great One is still The Great One. It's just that our 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix is such a gas. It's a really intimate automobile for people who know and appreciate what driving's all about. With the kind of qualifications that keep our competitors wondering where they went wrong. At 3 a.m. The hood alone is enough to give them the whim-whams. It's the longest in the business. (The bulge shown is a tach you can order.) And we filled the space underneath with 350 horses. Or you can specify up to 370 or 390 in a 428 V-8. A floor-mounted, heavy-duty, fully synchronized, 3-speed stick is standard. But you can order Turbo Hydra-Matic. Or a close-ratio 4-speed with the 428. As all true-blue driving men…

Still 100%. You say that Pennzoil is 100% pure Pennsylvania motor oil but my friend says it comes from the West Coast. Who's right? D.T.C., Kansas City, Mo. All Pennzoil motor oils are made from 100% Pennsylvania crude. This base oil is shipped to various parts of the country where Pennzoil is blended with Z-7 additive and canned. The West Coast is one such place. So is St. Louis. And, of course, Oil City, Pa. Some Things Are Better Used. But... I've been told that used oil is better than new oil. My “authority” said that the second time oil is refined it removes harmful particles. What do you say? R.K., Milwaukee, Wise. There is simply no truth to the statement that re-refined oil is better than new oil. There…

Whatever marketplace success the future holds for performance cars, the Ford Motor Company has begun a heartening program of recovery to insure them equal standing with their competition. Pre-'69 performing products from FoMoCo were nearly all limited to factory-sponsored race cars. Showroom products suffered in comparison to “not-in-racing” Detroit rivals. But a host of new products, developed both in '68 and for '69 models — and quite rapidly, we might add — have kicked some new life into the Dearborn machines. Much is yet to be done, but we've a feeling it will get done. Company President Bunkie Knudsen is known for his keen perception of customer attitudes and this, combined with a talented group of men now in residence at key posts throughout the divisions, can't help but add…

The second-quickest quarter-mile ever run in the state of Texas and the largest crowd to show up for a drag race in that state highlighted the NHRA World Championship Points Meet at Austin Raceway Park. Dwight Salisbury, touring with the “Beach Boys” car, humbled the Texans on their own strip by taking home a strip record, one thousand dollars and four hundred points on the road to Tulsa. NHRA Division Director Dale Ham had his hands full in “the land of the good guys.” This points meet produced more than 400 competition machines and a paying crowd of ten thousand plus — most of which gave up before the final run at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Johnson grass as high as a bull's belly had to be mowed as cars…

owner: Paul Stage Rockford, Illinois car: AA/Competition With this kind of a machine, it almost pays to go racing. Paul Stage of Rockford, Ill., not only garnered trophies but 5500 long green ones as well, after only three outings. Paul took the Super Eliminator titles at Rockford Dragway, The Olympics of Dragracing, and the '68 Springnationals, in addition to the class win. R&B Automotive of Kenosha, Wis., built the 155-inch chrome moly rail which mounts the Cai-Auto 'glass 'T' bucket. M°H slicks are mounted on 8-inch American Mags, with spokes by Dick Moritz of Tulsa. A Simpson chute assists the Sterling Engineering disc brakes at the end of the strip. The '67 Dodge rear end carries a 4.11 gear ratio. A 464 cubic inch Chrysler pumps out the horses, using…

M. D. Masterson of Valinda, California, is a family man, a printer, a Winternationals winner, a former NHRA record holder and a dyed-in-the-wool drag racer. Masterson currently races a 1968 Rambler 232-inch six-cylinder automatic. Masterson also drives the little sedan to work (28 miles round trip) daily. As delivered from the dealer, the Rambler turned an e.t. of 18.31 and a top speed of 73.46. Best performance to date is an e.t. of 16.36 and a speed of 83.41. The car runs in stock class. Masterson couldn't be happier. He's drag racing, bench racing, experimenting and is still within the realm of economic reality since the six delivers 16 miles per gallon. Bill Perkins is an electronics engineer who spent some years herding a stock car around eastern oval tracks.…

“How would you like to drive a car with me at Bonneville to set some International and National Endurance Records?” That was the question with which Mickey Thompson opened the conversation last spring when he called me from Detroit. “I'm sitting in Jacque Passino's office right now,” continued Mickey, “and we've just made a deal where I'll take a team of '69 Mustangs to Bonneville and go for a bunch of speed records on the ten-mile oval as well as the straightaway.” “Fine,” was my reply. “I've never driven more than just a lap or two around the ten-mile circle, but I'm game to give it a try. What size engines are you going to run?” “One of the cars will have a 302 tunnel port like Ford uses in…

Parnelli Jones won Daytona’s inaugural Paul Revere 250 NASCAR G.T. race in ’67. He wasn't at the ’68 running. It’s likely that Lloyd Ruby drove the same Bud Moore-prepared Cougar to victory in the ’68 event, although it matters little, especially to Bud Moore. He’s independent now, having lost his factory support last winter, and this makes two Daytona wins in a row for him. And both of his ’68 entries, the other one driven by Tiny Lund to fifth place; completed the race. That’s what matters to Bud Moore. Ruby put his Cougar in the pole starting spot with a 103.258 mph speed around the 3.81-mile course. His average speed for the race was 103.152 mph, which was good, but below the winning time for Jones in ’67 of…

A '68 CAMPAIGN of a non-political nature is proving very successful for Bud Gregson, general manager of Midtown Rambler in Seattle, Washington. Bud is currently blazing the trails as builder-driver of “Revenge,” a 390 AMX running SS/FA. The car is legal in both NHRA and pro circuits, and has claimed numerous victories since its first race last April. These include winning seven straight events as Super Stock Eliminator, as well as the North American Fuel and Gas Championships. It remains undefeated since making a “clean sweep” under a handicap system at Pacific Raceway's Memorial Day “King of the Hill” event. Best time and speed to date are 12.01 and 114.2 mph, but the car runs consistently at 12.03 and 112 mph. Another of Gregson's recent building ventures is “Retaliation,” a…

Only buses. Just think for a second, the last time you were on a bus—caught up in rush-hour traffic. Now imagine what it would be like if the same bus were sailing along on a bus-only expressway. Two lanes wide. With no traffic lights, cars, trucks or stops. GM thought about it. And helped the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to develop the idea for Metro-Mode. A mass transportation system that can relieve urban congestion and speed commuter bus travel. Here’s how it would work. Buses gather riders at neighborhood stops, then enter uncongested outlying expressways. As they near the center of the city, they pull onto the busway—several miles long and built alongside an existing expressway—and travel at maximum speed limits. When they reach the downtown area, they leave…

exactly the same powerful premium you get at any Union Oil station The champions know that Royal 76 is powerful enough to make a difference. A winning difference. That’s why they choose it. And their choice pays off in top dollars. Look at these results at Riverside International Raceway in March, 1968: Champion drag drivers aren’t the only competitors who pick this powerful premium, of course. Most drivers... and winners...in major Western races choose Royal 76. For one thing, it’s the official gasoline at Riverside, Laguna Seca, Stardust, Kent and Phoenix. But more important, Royal 76 delivers the power and dependable performance that wins races. Why not try a tankful of winning power in your car?…

When G.M. pioneer, Kettering made his famous statement concerning moving metal-tometal contact in an engine, he underscored for motorists of all time the importance of good engine lubrication … and the maintenance of the lubricants themselves. The following report shows you the exact “how and when” of additive usage by one of the industry's full-line additive producers. Keep it as a reference on how you should—and shouldn't—use these low-cost engine savers. First aid for a worn engine —Casite Motor Honey. Add to oi I. If your car is starting to smoke, sound noisy, or has lost its power, add Casite Motor Honey to the oil. The cure is fast. You can actually hear your engine quiet down. Exhaust smoking stops, usually within 10 miles of driving. You can feel the…

The Super Stock Nationals took its “senior” year in stride and graduated with honors to take its place as a prestige event in the drag world. The fourth annual event proved that a specialty program can provide enough action to suit almost everyone as long as the caliber of racing is presented at a high level. We say “specialty program” because the Super Stock Nationals is limited to cars that are identifiable by the general public as being stock-bodied in appearance. This gives them their categories of Stock, Super Stock, Experimental Stock, Gas Funny Car (2400-lb. and 3000-lb.) and Fuel Funny Car Eliminator brackets. Even though we know that a Fuel Funny Car is a far cry from a stock-bodied machine, its appearance is such that the average person can…

In order to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bonneville National Speed Trials, the staff of Hot Rod Magazine decided to enter the Project Olds in competition at the salt flats. Now that's a simple enough decision to make, but preparing the car for competition is something else again. The participants at Bonneville only get to race on the salt one week out of a year, so the rest of the year is spent getting their cars ready, and the machinery that makes it is pretty tough. Our work was cut out for us if we were to have any chance at all in class competition. Incidentally, the Olds falls in the middle of C/Production, where the record is 161.026 mph. Our first step in preparing the car was…

The modern Army goes to school, and there's a place in class for you. In fact, high school graduates have more than 300 job training courses to choose from. And if you qualify for the Army's enlistment program, we guarantee your course selection before you step forward and raise your hand. There's still another plus. The training is great. A leading American university credits the Armed Forces with one of the most advanced and comprehensive educational programs in the world. Job training in the Army could be the opportunity you need to acquire a vital and rewarding skill. At the same time, you fulfill your military obligation. We can give you more than 300 good reasons for joining the Army. But all you need to choose is one. Your future,…

ATLANTIC RICHFIELD CO. PPC AUTOMOTIVE LIBRARY SPORTPIX CHARGIN' THE TANK? Not quite! But Doug Coenen is charging the battery of his little Opel Kadett gasser. With the fuel tank up front and the fiberglass deck held in place with hood pins (or is it deck pins?), he found it wiser to rig up a female jack in the former fuel filler pocket in the fender. Now when he wants to give the battery a boost, he plugs in his portable battery charger, which itself is hooked up to a portable powerplant. Right smart idea. MILEAGE MAKER When servicing a carburetor as part of a tune-up, always check tc see if the unit is clean. The few sec onds it takes can save you plenty in gas mileage. According to Cham…

Q: This year's Indianapolis 500 was one of the most exciting races in history. How were the other drivers handling themselves that day? BOBBY: I think it was the best of the six years I have been driving at the Speedway. There were fewer wrecks and the ones we had were practically unavoidable. I just think it was the best group of drivers they've ever had. I kept looking for some exciting things to start happening. But we had a safe start and a good safe race all the way. Q: What was the caliber of the rookies? BOBBY: The rookies were exceptional. A very nice group. We passed them occasionally. When we did they were gentlemen about it. They didn't give way real easy, but when it was necessary…

One of the primitive attractions of a motorcycle is its ability to climb a hill to a greater degree than any other form of automotive contraption. From the weekend warrior to the hillclimb professional, the results are amazing and differ only in terms of finesse and specialized equipment. The rookie does it without the good equipment, relying on sheer determination and momentum. The pro has everything going for him, from a climbing engine, gear ratio, weight distribution and chains on the rear wheel to the “kill button” on the handlebar. There's no comparison between even the strongest amateur mount and that of the pro — so don't get any ideas about climbing his hill. If there are some choice slopes in your neighborhood, a hillclimb makes an ideal activity for…

SELL — '23 'T.' Meticulously built glass street/show rod. Tube frame, CAE axle, spoke Americans, Pontiac engine/hydro, Olds rear, Indys, exceptionally sanitary. $1850. Roger John, RR #1, Box 392, Pekin, Illinois 61554. (309) 387-6385. SELL — '54 Corvette. Balanced Olds engine, Isky cam, LaSalle trans, Olds rear, custom rolled-pleated interior, Cragar mag wheels, car in good condition. Best offer. John Howard, 130 Roberts Avenue, Haddonfield, N.J. 08033. SELL — Rebuilt '63 heavy-duty 3-speed overdrive Ford trans and Hurst Syncro-Loc; an excellent street-strip combination. $245 or best offer. J. B. Weimerskirch, Star Route, Coulee City, Washington 99115. SELL OR TRADE — 1938 Chevy coupe. 409 cu. in. 425 hp. 4-speed Hurst. '57 Chevy rear, black Naugahyde interior, Stewart-Warner gauges, Astro mags. $1700 or 1968 VW. Paul Clark, Box 515, Barksdale AFB,…

A number of features are common to all GM cars for '69. A new steering column lock with key positioning on the steering column is one. The wheel is locked when the key is removed, and it's virtually impossible then for the car to be “hot wired.” While this is troublesome in a way, we prefer this to having a car “removed.” The key can't be removed from stick shift cars unless the gearshift is in reverse, and the car can't be started without the clutch pedal pushed to the floor. Automatic transmission cars require the selector to be in “Park” for key removal. A swingout or swing-down tailgate, introduced some time ago by Ford, is incorporated on most wagons for '69. All “B” body (full-size) cars now have 15-inch-diameter…

Now into their second year on the comeback trail, American Motors should do well during 1969 with their five distinctive lines of automobiles. While styling and mechanical features have played an important part in an upswing of sales in their Ambassador, Rebel and Rambler (formerly American) lines, two completely new offerings, first made available in 1968, can surely be pinpointed as the source of the renewed activity at the AM doorstep. Of 21 different models offered throughout these five lines, ranging from the short 97-inch wheelbase AMX twoplace sports coupe to the lengthened 122-inch-wheelbase Ambassador, the AMX and the Javelin two-door hardtop models are the ones the “competition” will have to continue reckoning with. Basically, these sports coupes are unchanged from 1968 with respect to body design. Styling treatments have…

owners: Rogers-Johnson-Rossmoine-Janisch Los Angeles, California car: '51 Anglia A/GS…

The old cliche, “a chain is no stronger than its weakest link,” becomes an even more apt truism when applied to your car. Hop up the engine and you blow the clutch; beef the clutch and the transmission is next to go. By a process of elimination, you eventually work your way to the rear end; obviously, it too must be beefed up when more horses are added up front. Looking over back issues of our favorite magazine proved to be of little help; it seems that very little has been written on the subject of beefing rear ends. After a good deal of inquiry, we contacted our friend Pepe Estrada, an instructor in the chassis department of National Technical Schools and also an avid hot rodder, who has given…

owners: Mark & Barry Mano Racine, Wisconsin car: AA/Gas Dragster…

The fellow in the faded denims eased a well-scuffed boot onto the front bumper of the battle-weary Jeep. “Nope, these little dudes jest don't wear out. This'n here is goin' on her fourth engine, but the body and all is still in prime shape.'' While we didn't quite agree with what the rancher termed “prime shape,” we did agree that the Jeep got the job done. The respect for the little workhorse is universal. The Jeep is tough and so are her sisters — the Wagoneer and the Gladiator pickup — which can also grind out their share of work. Anything that does work needs muscle, and in this particular case it comes in the form of 340 inches of Buick, which slips into the '63 to '67 Wagoneers and…

In the final analysis, a sound performance tune-up consists of three distinct elements: the correct equipment, a tinkerer who understands how to read and correct malconditions and an engine in “tune-up” condition. For the purposes of this month's efforts, the equipment responsibility is yours (despite the fact that selection suggestions will be spotted into the text). We'll center the discussion on the conditions to be met in a given engine prior to tune work and fundamental steps to be considered in performing the operation. If an engine isn't in shape to receive tune-up work, you'd likely be spending your time more profitably by putting a Road Runner horn on your '58 Edsel. So it first becomes necessary to ascertain if the engine in question is in condition for tune-up work.…

Not satisfied with his 285.213 mph World Water Speed Record, Lee Taylor of Downey, California, is presently shopping for a sponsor to build a new boat, one with a bigger Pratt and Whitney jet engine, in an effort to push the record even higher. Incorporating the knowledge gained in the construction and operation of “Hustler I,” Lee's new design seems to present more of a problem in flying over water than in achieving a higher speed. With a weight of 6000 pounds and a thrust of 13,000 pounds, this could prove to be the major obstacle. Lee calls this boat a guided water missile, and we tend to agree with him. His original sponsor, Harvey Aluminum, is supplying the aluminum and titanium for the semi-monocoque hull and superstructure. This project…

SHOW SCHEDULES LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA Speed, Auto-Rama & Boat Show, October 18-20, Long Beach Arena. Competitors Car Club, P.O. Box 400, Maywood, California 90270. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Western Winter Nationals Custom Car Fair, November 27-December 1. National Custom Car Club Assn., P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California 91305. SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA Inland Empire Custom Car Fair, October 31November 3, National Orange Show Center. National Custom Car Club Assn., P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California 91305. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Southwest Speed and Custom Show, November 15-17, Community Concourse. National Custom Car Club Assn., P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California 91305. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Custom Car & Motorcycle Show, November 15-17, Sports Arena. Tyrant's Car Club of Redlands, Post Office Box 400. Maywood, California 90270. HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT National Autorama, November 22-24, Connecticut…