Why race your supercar

[SmallHurst]

I just found this topic and I have got to say that to question wheither you should race these cars is silly. It was said early in the post, if you want an award winner, buy a cheap, low option, underpowered, paperweight and dump a pile of money on it. I understand that some of you guys are playing with lower production numbers than I am, but you have to understand why these cars were so popular: they would go like stink down the quarter mile! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Rob and I had a lot of time discussing lifes little events as he was hauling my car with the 'Yenko up to Martin a couple of weeks ago and we came to the conclusion that sheet metal can be straightened and motors can be rebuilt.

Some of you are asking what this a-hole is doing commenting on this topic. I have a '69 Hurst/Olds with 39,000 original miles on it. When I purchased it in '95 it had 24,000 miles on it. When I was hauled up to MI, it was only the 4th time the car had been hauled on a trailer since I have owned it. I had to drive over 200 miles to make the point so I could have the car trailered up. I had to drive over 200 miles to get back home after the race. On the way back home, the passenger glass was busted out by a rock thrown from a semi as I was passing him. I am not going to stop driving the car because of that incident. The local drag strip announcer comes to life when I go up and do my burnout. I am doing with the car what I want to do. COPO Pete has the correct idea, a restored car is not correctly restored until it can run a number down the drag strip! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

If you are afraid of blowing up an original numbers engine, pull it and put in another bullet. The real one will sit in the corner and be fine as you thrash the crap out of the "cheap one". Build it like you want, drive it like you want, but keep them going no matter what! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yea! What he said [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Jeff H]

Well, if you're gonna put in another motor to run it, why not just build a clone from a 6 cyl car and run that? There are valid arguments for both sides and my biggest argument why I won't be racing my car is because it won't be covered and I'm not a wealthy person. I'll be driving it, but not racing it.

[Supergas990]

Since I don't own one (yet), it's probably not fair for me to say that I'd race and drive it for sure, but I think I would.

It seems to me that car guys and gals tend to get equal amounts of enjoyment out of finding, building, restoring, showing, driving, racing and even just talking about their particular pride and joy. But even more so, is the pleasure each of us gets from seeing the general public's excitement when they see a car like they dreamed about in 1969...

With regards to insurance for these vehicles, I can speak to issue, as it's what I do for a living. The deal works as follows:

Virtually sll standard insurers (American Family, Met PC, State Farm, etc...) WILL NOT cover these cars for anything in virtually all situations, whether being drivin on the hwy or track. Or if they will provide coverage it's on at a level I'm confident wouldn't replace a NOS hood. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

There are however a number of specialty insurers for collectible car use on a limited basis (usually by an annual mileage limit). This coverage is provided on an agreed value basis, with a known appraisal and numerous amounts of documentation. This coverage comes with a pretty fair price tag, depending on the value of the vehicle, but will resolve many of the insurance concerns raised so far.

Believe it or not there are alos insurers that will provide 1/8 and 1/4 mile competition insurance for cars [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img], as long as the vehicle is no faster than 8.50 seconds (1/4 mile). This coverage is offered with a fairly high deductible, but will provide coverage for controlled drag racing events. There is no street use coverage under this policy.

The one issue that everyone seems to agree on is that the owner of each car should enjoy it as they see fit. These cars represent a great deal of financial investment, not to mention the blood, sweat and tears associated with the restoration of them.

I hope this doesn't stir the topic too much more. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Blair

1970 S/G GTO
1967 Chevelle

[68TopStock]

Tom,

Well said, you are my hero. I can not wait to have one of my sons at the track with me, maybe this summer yet.

For the others in this discussion, I must add that I have at times been a bit intimidated to race my car, however, that said, once I started, I must admit it is a gas! I do not believe I would have much of a desire if I cloned another car to be Fred's 1st car, and then had to do some explaining to the folks at the tracks. Just wouldn't seem right. I like sitting in the real thing.

Anyway, it really isn't the cars, its the people involved with them.

[jaze70ss]

I stood on my fathers 427 air cleaner when i was just a lad. He was kind of pissed at me.... that was about 1972 and it was from his 63 galaxie r car. The rides I got in that car lit the fire i feel today. If you keep packing these cars in museums their legacy will just become some old stories.... Eventually, the only enthusiasts that will care about them will slowly die off. After that the value, and finally, the fun. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

jay b.
70 L78
63 galaxie 406