Judges

[Steve_Hoog]

Mike did you build your 69 bird somewhat after the mule you talked about, or is that actually it?

Another pic courtesy of Andy:

[Steve_Hoog]

I was just going through my last mag that Andy sent and wow, coverage on the Pure Stock Drags 99. Some VERY nice cars and impressive times!!! Loved to see Paul Glasgo's Magnum 400 cranking some 12's. And then his brother does a low 13 in a 455HO, right in line with this thread I'd say.

I too don't think there is a need to compare these drags to cars off the assembly line in 1969, but the drags get top rating with me. And I cheer all that do it..

[Pantera]

If you will think back to those early days in the late 60's, that is why Joel Rosen the owner of Motion was so succesful, because he had a dyno at his disposal and very few back then did. With one he could ferret out how to do the little things to go fast.

He also got a lot of help from those in the right places at the factory. It has taken a few years but everybody has just caught up with the top guns of the past. Now days you can find a dyno in just about every town of any size.

I don't know about you but I have seen plenty of guys over the years that out "Tricked" themselves with add on speed equiptment that they had no way to properly tune and set up right.

Blueprinting a stock motor was just not done back then. It has taken all these years for the technogly to come as far forward as it has. Remember a dual line Holly was something new and most guys had been using AFB's, single line Hollys or Rochester Q-jet carbs.

Et's are bound to keep droping with the interest there is in it and the lack of new cars to interest guys of our era.

Nothing wrong with the Ricer's that are going as fast and faster than hell these days. I still miss my '85 CRX si that I used to suprise some late model muscle cars with.


Pantera

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
I wasn't ragging on any of the Pure Stock Certified guys, a lot of work went into those cars. I said that the way the cars run TODAY do not reflect how they ran back THEN.

[/ QUOTE ]
Then why didn't ya say so! Seriously, you're absolutely right...the quicker cars aren't indicative of what I'd call "showroom stock". Now, I did take our Camaro, build the engine as Chevrolet did back in '69 (10.2:1 compression), and with only a set of spring clamps it went 12.79@108. But that's another story for another day...

I think tuning is a lost art, and has been for some time...I mean, most people take the easy way out and throw on a set of headers and a big carb on their car, and pick up 5 tenths...what they don't know is that they could play with the jetting/timing and all the other tuning stuff and very possibly make up that 5 tenths, without the headers. Now, I'm not saying headers aren't ultimately gonna make more power, but the potential these old sleds have from the factory is there, "if" you can get it out.

As for tearing down the short block, I often wonder too, but short of an oil pan with an inspection cover, I guess we'll have to take their word for it. And weight..oh, don't get me started on weight! Pete currently has a ZL-1 engine in his COPO car, thus he saved 200+ pounds...but like you said, if I could shed some pounds, I'd be in the hunt. But I really hate to do that to a 30,000 mile original car!

[gtaa9]

This is off the subject but I'll ask.Do you think Pontiac will come out with a restro look for the new GTO down the road?

[Steve_Hoog]

Some guys were talking over in Classical Pontiac about the retro Camaro that is being toyed at GM, they all agreed that it looked awesome. And they also all agreed that GM would never produced something everyone liked.

I agree with both.

[gtaa9]

Well it would be nice to see a restro GTO with the Judge option in 3-5yrs.I would buy one.

[Steve_Hoog]

Why 3 to 5 years, now!!!!

[gtaa9]

Your right now would be good but realistically no.My reasoning is because with the new restro style of the new mustang,the new mustang looks like the 1965 mustang fastback as far as style is concerned so it took 40yrs for the mustang to look light the old style.The GTO came out as a 1964 year model and lastest to 1974.Then in 2004 40yrs since the first GTO's hit the streets the GTO is out again NO RESTO STYLE at all so I'm guessing 3-5yrs before pontiac gos to the old style again.

[GOAT72]

Last night they rebroadcast "The Last Ride" on NBC and they had a commercial for the '05. I'm not happy with the new GTO as far as retro styling goes - since there IS none, but I have to admit that steps are being taken in the right direction.
The hood scoops are totally brazen and well-designed, the split rear exhausts and bigger rear spoiler are great as well.

The 400HP engine is nothing to sneeze at, while 4 ft & rr bucket seats look fantastic!

If the trend continues we may see a pretty nice-looking GTO by '07!

Mac