Hi CG,
In 1972 Ihad a 69 Camaro.
I had an L88 427, Muncie 4 speed and a 3.73 rear axle.
It was an RS hugger orange theft recovery. I swapped out the 325 hp 396 with a 375 hp 396 I had in my Nomad in Highschool.
I was very misunderstood while at cllege, some people thought I was a crazy wild driver.
Long story short,, my roomie next room over who worked at Tonawonda engine plant showed up with a 69 Pontiac "The Judge" and very cockily told me he wanted to race me out in Flushing (where I had frequented before after I met a buddie who had a 427 69 super sport Camaro who lived in Flushing.
So we go out there and raced a quarter mile three times. I held with him in first gear lost a bit in 2nd, got worse in third AND ATE HIS DUST IN 4THY. I was running Goodyear blue streak indy style tires on 10 inch wide cragars -mthey stuck out big time - all rubber.
After eating huimble pie, I asked him what in the heck was in that "THE JUDGE"? He said it was a 427 L88 and if I wanted it I had to buy the car.
I told him "I'm not buying a Pontiac,"I work for Chevrolet Central Office, it would be a bad career move.
I told him if he didn't sell it by Labor dayt, I'd give him my 396 and 500 bucks and do the seap myself. It got done.
The last day I had the car, I bolted up some M&H Race master drag slicks and immediately pulled a wheelie, witch launched my battery into the fan blade upon landing from the wheelie. Bungy strapped a new battery in and commenced to go outrageous in my hometown of Howards Grove. SMILE Just loved showing off my wheelie machine. Poor judgement.
I then tore the car apart, sold the L88 and put a 307 in it and sold the car to a friend that evening.
My next work assignments required out of state travel and that hot rod did not fit the bill.
Worst mistake I ever made.
Life gives you lemons sometimes, and I was working my way thru college.
The next morning the County Sherriff came to the house to have a discussion with me about a terrible rumor of very outrageous behavior the day before. Apparently about 10 people called in about a camaro ripping up the roads.
I told him I no longer owned the car. It has been tore down and not even around.
He confirmed it would never be a problem again - I said no sir not even around.
My poor mother was a bit less understanding. LOL Ducked a stay in the local county motel.
I was never bad, just misunderstood.
I have another 375 hp 396 in a 70 Nova , a frame off restoration - just a nice rust free 43,000 real mileage car with a 4 speed and a 4.10 posi.
I never drive it - I'd end up in jail.
They are just too strong and the temptation to light them up is an allergic reaction/personality deficiency I suffer from. That cleans it up a bit I spoze.
100% true story.
Bob |
