rickb@tekig1.UUCP (Rick Bensene) (11/30/84)
First off, I'd like to thank Jim Hoo for taking the time to post
the information on the 50 fastest cars. I'm sure it was a lot of
work to type in, and I appreciate the information. I have the
article from Car Review that rated the cars, but it's good to see
the information on the network, where it can put to rest some of
the "my car is faster than your car" stories. I also tire of hearing
how car A can blow car B's doors off, with the driver shifting left
handed, no less! It's pointless to argue as to whose car is the
fastest. If you want to find out, there is a simple, and fun,
solution. Go down to your local dragstip during "grudge" drag
(open) day, pay your admission fee, get your car checked over
by the tech people, and race 'em. One day of careful racing
can really teach you a lot about your car, and also give you some
real numbers to use in comparing your car to the list that Jim
posted. I know, I can hear you saying that drag racing thrashes
the car. Agreed, it is rough on the components, but if the car
is as rough and tough as stated in the "I'm the best" postings, it
shouldn't matter, right? In any case, it is possible to "carefully"
race your car. The times might not be as fast as are obtainable
with all out racing, but it still gives the driver a very good
education as to what it takes to cover a 1/4 mile in the quickest
time possible. It isn't as simple as waiting for the light to
turn green and stomp the pedal to the floor, powershifting
when you hear the valves start to rattle. It's very educational,
and a heck of a lot of fun!
My wife and I own two '60's pony/muscle cars. One is a 1967 Camaro
SS/RS 396/375 HP 4 speed, and the other is a 1969 Z/28 Camaro.
With full exhaust, and F70-14 tires (not much for traction), the
big block Camaro (with me behind the wheel - I'm no expert, either)
runs the 1/4 mile in 13.89 (best) at around 103 MPH. That places
it pretty well in the top 50. The Z/28, with it's hi-revving, yet
low torque (off the line, anyway) 302 isn't quite in the same ballpark,
running in the high 14's at just about 100 MPH. Both cars are restored
to stock specifications, including engine internals. They are about
as close to stock as can paractically be. The big block Camaro
has a 3.73 Positraction rear end, and with the skinny tires and
abundant torque, it is flaming the tires almost the entire
length of the strip. It's quite difficult to get the car off
the starting line without wasting a few 10ths of a second just
sitting there smoking. The Z/28 is just the opposite. It launches
very nicely with stock style tires, with just a litle hint of traction
loss, but once it hits around 4500 RPM in 1st and 2nd, the
tires start to break loose (the motor really starts to come on
strong in the higher RPM ranges). We've (my wife and I) dragged
both the cars a few times, and each time, we've learned a lot
about our cars, and our own driving abilities. Also, neither
car seems to be any worse for the wear.
So, if you've got a '60's/'70's musclecar worth bragging about,
why not take it to the drags for a day, and have a great time, while
at the same time, learning what you and your car are REALLY capable of?
You may find that your vintage Detroit muscle isn't quite what you
thought it was!
Rick Bensene
..tektronix!tekig1!rickbrlmm@houxk.UUCP (R.MEININGER) (12/07/84)
My system never received the '50 fastest' article. Could someone repost it? Please? Sco Manglin