Schonye, You know as well as I do that we love the little motors. Horsepower per cubic inch I think the small blocks got the big blocks beat but...... If my 1969 LT1 nova beat a comparable big block nova or camaro back in the day was because they were not set up correctly. I NEVER beat a good running rat motor car with basically the same set up as my 350 car had unless of driver error. My nova with the LT1 slicks, bars, headers, Hurst competition plus etc. (I drove the car to the track) Motor was balanced and clearanced but basically stock with the factory LT1 cam ran a best of 12.08 114.62. That was real good in those days. The big block guys with basically the same set up ALWAYS ran 11.70's. Also the big block camaros for the most part beat all the new LS6 chevelles, with the same set up. I was there, there was no doubt. I spent many a night down Front st. and Delaware ave. in Philly in those days. That is where the little motors would sometimes beat a big block, because of traction. Like I said it really depends on who owned them and drve them. An 85% efficient running small block could beat a 60% efficient running big block. And about the twisting, the tires in those days wern't good enough to twist those frames and sheetmetal as much as some people think. Starting in the early 70's did it become necessary to tie the frames. I don't even think Jenkins 1st. Pro Stock car had the frame tied at that point. P.S. Some people have to stop reading the books and start believing the guys that were there. You could basically get any combo that you wanted if the salesperson would order it for you.I don't care what the options list said or build sheets. Your salesperson was very important in those days. Now, You really can't order much. GM didn't stop making 4:10's in 1970 did they? If Don's car has a 4:10 in it, how can anyone dispute it. Just because the options list didn't state it? Come on! In 1970 it was not rocket science. How many 1959 ElCaminos did people ever see with fuel injection? Well they were available and I saw one.
