Indholdsfortegnelse for July 1986 i Hot Rod

Last weekend was very rewarding for me. It was the annual Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (NDRA) meet at Baylands Raceway in Fremont, California—and besides enjoying the tire-smoking, front-engine Top Fuelers, Altereds, Coupes, and Gassers, I was immeasurably taken aback by the amount of “HOT” creeping back into hot rodding. There must have been more than 500 street rods converted back into hot rods racing through the quarter-mile. And I would like to think that HOT ROD Magazine had something to do with this trend. But probably the most rewarding moment came when a special tribute was paid to our own Gray Baskerville. You see, Gray has made a major contribution to hot rodding over the past 16 years. He has always given of himself to further the sport, and has…

Read a good spark plug lately? We hope so, for your engine’s sake. But spark plug reading—the traditional way to check your fuel mixture and monitor other vital conditions in the combustion chamber such as detonation, ring seal, and ignition advance—may be a dying art. Fuel racers figure their plugs are just right if the electrodes melt away on each run. Gasoline racers can expect a rainbow of colors on their spark plugs, depending on the particular type of octane booster or racing gas they must use. And late-model cars running on unleaded gas and fitted with a plethora of smog controls seem to defy all the old rules regarding plug reading. But don’t give up. Maybe it’s time to forget some of the old rules—and myths. Let’s start by…

There are as many definitions for a performance car as there are drivers. Opinions vary on how fast is fast, what looks hot, and the degree of transient handling response required. But when it comes to purchasing a total performer, the determining factor of most new car sales is performance-per-dollar value. Today we can choose from a plethora of highly maneuverable new hot stocks. These vehicles are specially-optioned, daily transporters designed to run circles around their regular production-line counterparts. For example, a member of the hot rod set chooses a Z28 over a plain-Jane Camaro, a 302 GT over a 2.3 Mustang, and a Shelby Charger over a Turismo. There are a couple drawbacks to owning a car of this caliber, however. Both involve making payments; one to the bank…

PANTERA PROMOTIN’ GARY HALL’S ’39 ISN’T POWERED BY FORD Gary Hall is a hot rodder who buys, sells, races, and stocks Panteras and Pantera parts for a living. Everything he owns, including Hall Pantera (15335 Garfield Ave., Bellflower, CA 90723, 213/531-2629) is “powered by Ford,” and really “hauls.” But there is one exception: his “fat attacked”‘39. Thanks to the efforts of Don “Buffy” Thelan, Mike Cook, Pete Eastwood, Bob Bauder, and “Fat Jack” Robinson it does haul, but it’s also powered by, ugh, Chevrolet. According to Gary, “The ’39 was found in ‘rust-resistant’ Victorville, California, two years ago while I was returning home from a vacation. I had always liked the ’40 coupes, but after looking at this ’391 realized that they were nicer and sleeker than the ’40s, in…

The beauty and serenity of the Pacific Northwest is unequalled. So is the enthusiasm for nice hot rods—thanks to Vancouver, Washington’s, Slo Poks car club. Their philosophy about what is a hot rod coincides perfectly with the Hot Rod Super Cruise West format. If it’s a car modified for better looks and performance, then it’s a hot rod. The Slo Poks are the host club for this event, and they have a full array of cars from customs to street rods, trucks, and even nostalgia drag race cars. And that’s just what is expected to be at this year’s event on August 15 to 17 at the rustic Clark County Fairgrounds. It’s a great chance for our Canadian friends to jump south of the border and share some of their…

It’s a simple question: which of today’s openclass road rockets is the absolute quickest, nastiest vehicle on two wheels? Motorcyclist Magazine had tested both the major contenders, the Yamaha V-Max and the Suzuki GSx-R1100, separately. But when readers asked us which of the two is really the fastest through the quarter-mile, we couldn’t truthfully answer…because we didn’t know. The difference between the two would be measured in hundredths, and it’s impossible to predict how different bikes will perform on the same track, on the same day. We knew we had to take them both out and run them, head to head, and let the timing slips and the rubber smoke tell the story. The two contenders couldn’t be more different—it’s amazing how diverse the two engineering approaches are that got…

CARS & TRUCKS 70 AAR ‘CUDA. 340 Six-Pak, 34,988 miles, all original. $11,500. Mark Fridley, 102 E. Main, Anna, OH 45302, (513) 394-7218. ’48 ANGLIA.‘60s original A/Gas converted to Bracket car. Big-block Chevy, Americans, fully upholstered, clean and original, $7000. Larry Ploghoft, 2019 Grelle, Lewiston, ID 83501,(208) 746-6152. ‘ ’64 AV ANTI. No. 5276, “R1” 289, A/T, P/S, modified with flares, T/A’s, nicer interior, fresh black lacquer. $12,500. ’63 AVANTI.“R1,” A/T, P/S, basically stock, fresh engine, fresh paint. $7500. ’70 CHALLENGER. R/T, S/E, 440, A/T, P/S, A/C, power disc brakes, cruise. $3000. Steve or Walt Kaiser, 7223 Gladys Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530, (415) 6346446. ’69 BOSS 429 MUSTANG. Near factory-original condition, with factory invoices, etc. 36,000 miles. $15,500. Neil Power, 3334 15th Ave. S., #202, Fargo, ND 58103, (701)…

The Easy Life Bostik now has a comprehensive line of performance-proven automotive products to make life easier for any mechanic. The line includes gasket makers, gasket sealers, repair adhesives, lubricants, and service aids. With these products you can repair any gasket, make your own, or take one off. Bostik service and repair products are developed to reduce costly delays, speed repair time, and increase reliability. The Bostik line can be found in most automotive stores. Super Sonance Jensen offers affordable ($89.95) speakers for your summer sounds. New from the Classic Series, these 4.5-inch Coax Convertible speakers can be easily installed on any flat surface or flush-mounted as well. Designed to accommodate the digital demands of CD players, these speakers feature 70 watts peak and 35 watts RMS of power-handling capacity,…

HOW YOUR DISTRIBUTOR ADVANCE WORKS In the timing section of “Power Tuning” we learned why a distributor has an ignition curve and how it works. Now we’re going to look at the procedure for setting up an ignition curve or modifying an existing curve for optimum performance. The distributor is designed to provide variable spark advance to accommodate a broad range of driving conditions. The amount of spark advance and the rate at which it is applied can usually be adjusted for improved performance. Begin by examining your distributor or checking a service manual to see what method is used to limit the amount of advance. In almost every case there is some type of pin and slot arrangement that allows the breaker plate (where the points or the electronic…

Most rodders underestimate the importance of maintaining the emissions equipment on their cars. Contrary to popular belief, emission controls on modern engines are designed to help maintain an engine’s performance while reducing the level of pollutants. They are not power-robbing bandits. In fact, most of them contribute a great deal to your engine’s performance. With only a few minor checks and adjustments, you can maintain your emissions equipment in legal condition with no significant performance loss. The components of greatest importance include the EGR valve, air pump (smog pump), carburetor choke mechanism, air cleaner hot air warmup system, PCV valve, evaporative emissions canister, catalytic converter (if applicable), and the oxygen sensor in the exhaust system. Some of these items can’t really be tuned in the proper sense, but you can…

Driving other people’s projects is more fun than getting a tax return … on time. It’s hard to describe the thrill of sliding behind the wheel of Jim McCashin’s gennie 427 SC Cobra because the roadster was incredibly fast, worth its weight in gold, and had the smallest control pedals known to man. One slip and the SC would have been history. Some ragtops I’ve experienced have been downright dangerous to drive … like our own Lo-Boy, before Mike Johnson and Chuck Lombardo squared it away. But trolling around in Jim Davis’ B&M hair blower was like sitting down with old folks … both familiar and fun. Familiar because I’ve had the dubious pleasure of putting a conservative 130,000 miles under the Atlases of my own ’32 roadster, and fun…

Why do you suppose carburetors are so hard to adjust? Even a simple jet change requires major disassembly. It’s my hunch they’re made this way just so the average idiot can’t screw them up. But knowledgeable performance enthusiasts seeking the perfect engine tune on any given day—especially race day—are resigned to the ordeal of draining float bowls, tearing gaskets, mending leaks, and all the rest that goes with typical jet changing. Ever dreamed about a carburetor… a high-performance carb, no less … that you could tune by simply twisting a knob on the dashboard? It’s no dream. Holley has had one (actually dozens) for a few years now. We have no idea why it’s been such a well-kept secret. They’re called Mile-Dial and Quarter-Mile-Dial carburetors, and they are a very…

One good way to get your car in HOT ROD Magazine is to ask. That’s what Roy and Christy Martin of Denver did one weekend when we were covering an event at Bandimere Raceway. At first we were hesitant. They described their blown street ’67 SS-RS Camaro in detail, and it sounded good—until we asked the color. White. Just white. The problem, of course, is that white cars are very difficult to photograph. They’re even worse than black. They don’t exactly “pop” on a magazine page. Or on the street, for that matter. But, you know what? Painting a hot rod white makes a bold statement. It says, “This car doesn’t need bells, bangles, or buzzers.” A white hot rod has got to be tough. It has to be perfect.…

Increase awareness of your racetrack and its activities! The “Race Track Directory” is open to any type of raceway from quarter-mile dragstrips to dirt track ovals. By placing a low-cost ad in the “Race Track Directory” you can reach more than five million motorsports enthusiasts. This new section will not only keep HOT ROD readers informed of what events will take place at racetracks near home, but also serve as a reference when planning vacations. If you want to build participation at your track, contact the Petersen Publishing Company Automotive Performance Group sales office closest to you (see our masthead on page 7 for addresses and phone numbers).…

Six Appeal HOT ROD Magazine has learned of new engine programs planned by General Motors Corp, for the 1990s. The Trident engine is a high-performance, mostly aluminum V6 which is under development at GM’s Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac group (BOC), conceived as having three valve heads with tuned intake manifolds. This motor is the projected powerplant for the Buick Electra, Reatta, and Riviera. The Trident is also planned for powering the Oldsmobile Toronado, Olds 98, and possibly the Cadillac Eldorado; the earliest that the engine could be brought out appears to be the Spring or Fall of 1990.—S.D. ’Glassic Custom Well, lovers of the lead sled, ol’ Tone is at it again … only this time it’s a ‘glass act rather than a Beverly Hills “pee-koupe.” You see, Tony Nancy—the guy standing in…

The first time I met colorful Cary Weisner he had a blown ’56 Chevy with a Jag IRS, a ring in one ear, and hair on his head. They’re all gone now… the ’56, the ring, and most of his hair. But not Cary’s love of blown doorslammers. That’s as permanent as Weisner’s desire to burn rubber in most unusual cars in most unusual parking lots. Take Cary’s latest tire fryer, for instance. It’ll smoke up the world, especially if there are unsuspecting street rodders in the area. For Weisner’s latest, hazing the hides is no big deal. That’s because his ’66 Oldsmobile Cutlass was one of the first doorslammers ever worked on by famed Pro Stock constructor “race crafty” Don Ness. In fact, the guy standing next to Cary…

Statements like, “same back in the seat” and “itSBS so bad I couldn’t see I was going”—as spouted by our quarter-mile heroes—take on a whole new meaning when you’re the one making them. I never thought I’d be saying things like that! Let’s face it, for most of us, getting “set back in the seat” happens when the pilot pushes the throttles forward as your jet takes off for the Gatornationals; and when you’re talking about tire shake, you’re probably talking about losing a couple of balancing weights off the front wheel of the family car. Then along comes Frank Hawley’s driving school. If ever there was an answer to a frustrated drag racer’s dreams, it’s The Drag Racing School at Gainesville Raceway in Florida. Maybe the school can’t give…

PETE & PATTY’S ’55 IS PLENTY SWEET Pete Daniele and his ’55 210 sedan have one thing in common: they’re both 31 years old. Pete and Cary Weisner (owner of the ’66 Olds Cutlass cover car, “Goin’ Straight”) share something in common as well. Both happen to be body shop owners (Pete’s shop is in Madison, New Jersey and Cary’s is in Hugo, Minnesota). Now, when we add Bill Wyso (‘41 Willys, “Fat Attack Returns”) into the equation, all three share a similar experience: each drive “street-ified” ex-racing cars. While Cary and Bill bought theirs, Pete turned his $30 investment into an F/Gas “slammer” in ’71 and retired it five years later when the cost of racing became a drag. He then converted the gasser into a street-driven show car.…

Nolan White is a most familiar name to any lakes or flats racer. He, along with long-time nemesis Al Teague, has gone faster more times than any man in the last 10 years … especially after team White stepped up a couple of years ago and fashioned the four-wheel-driven “Spirit of Autopower.” While the Spirit’s means of “motorvation” is based on a 482-inch big-block Chevy—augmented by a go-fast collection of parts such as a “Razoo” Brown cam, Crower rods, Velasco crank, Arias pistons, and an alky-consuming 6-71 Jimmy blower perched on a Cragar intake manifold—it’s still the Spirit’s unique drivetrain that excites the bystanders. Based on a White-designed 4WD system encompassing Nolan’s own one-to-one ring ‘n’ pinion gears (which employs Associated Gear and Jay Machine-modified Jeep steering hubs), it also…

DRAG RACING July 4-6—IHRA Northern Nationals, Milan, Michigan July 5-6—The Dragbike! U.S.A. Championship Series, Earthquake Nationals, Columbus, Ohio July 10-13—NHRA Budweiser Summernationals, Englishtown, New Jersey July 18-20—IHRA Summer Nationals, Cincinnati, Ohio July 19-20—The Dragbike! U.S.A. Championship Series, Northwest Nationals, Spokane, Washington July 19-20—IDBA Firecracker Nationals, Norwalk. Raceway Park, Norwalk, Ohio July 20—IVWA VW Summer Nationals, Farmington Dragway, Winston-Salem, North Carolina July 24-27—NHRA Mile High Nationals, Denver, ‘Colorado July 25-27—1st ever NDRA Stroker Nationals, Tulsa, Oklahoma July 26-27—The Dragbike! U.S.A. Championship Series, Summer Cyclenationals, Colchester, Connecticut DRY LAKES July 13—Southern California Timing Association meets at the Lakes (SCTA sanctioned event, 619/268-019 ROAD RACING July 6—IMSA Champion Spark Plug Challenge Series Camel Continental, Watkins Glen, New York July 6—SCCA Trans-Am Series, Summit Point International Raceway, Summit Point, W. Virginia July 6—CART Cleveland…

WALSH GETS SPONSOR Bill Walsh, the wonder-boy of our “1985 NHRA Champs” interviews (HRM February ’86) who has thoroughly dominated Top Alcohol Dragster with a backyard-built, neighborhood-crewed car for all three years that he has been drag racing, finally has a sponsor. Running old and patched-up parts, traveling only in the East (with an ancient pickup and trailer), and winning lots of races, the World Champ still could barely manage to break even financially. So where has help come from? From another of the neighborhood guys, of course. Except this one—Joe Amato—owns the huge Keystone Automotive Warehouse parts distributorship and brings other healthy sponsors like TRW and Hurst. Plus this creates one more “team” in NHRA racing. Considering how good Walsh was low-buck, imagine what he’ll do with some spare…