[Ragtop Man]

Hold the phone, SS: whatever happened to the GTO and Grand Prix that didn't get finished? And where is that 421 tripower that came out of the car sitting now? A stone stock 421/376 is a gigabuck engine if it is original.

If it is still the same frame, there are one or two 'hidden' VIN numbers that the boardistas know how to find; a PHS would be fascinating to find. The number of heater/radio delete cars with tripower and a 3-speed (Dearborn!) has to be about one.

Also: what did they do for running gear/suspension... rear axle, etc. I can't believe the hybrid 10/12 bolt would last more than a few laps.

Great info, great scholarship!

[Sirrotica]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Ragtop Man

Hold the phone, SS: whatever happened to the GTO and Grand Prix that didn't get finished? And where is that 421 tripower that came out of the car sitting now? A stone stock 421/376 is a gigabuck engine if it is original.

If it is still the same frame, there are one or two 'hidden' VIN numbers that the boardistas know how to find; a PHS would be fascinating to find. The number of heater/radio delete cars with tripower and a 3-speed (Dearborn!) has to be about one.

Also: what did they do for running gear/suspension... rear axle, etc. I can't believe the hybrid 10/12 bolt would last more than a few laps.

I ran a 8.2 3:55 posi rear end for 4 years in oval track in the GTO in my signature picture with no mods whatsoever. It would have been in there 5 years if I hadn't been hit broadside on the RR wheel and bent the housing. This isn't drag racing and the tires weren't that wide or sticky so a real beefy rear axle is not really needed.

Also at this time it was real stock car racing and the factory parts needed to be in the car to be allowed to compete per the rules.

The engine was probably sold to get money to build the car, or maybe as part of the sponsorship deal, the Pontiac dealer got the cast off parts back to sell.

Someone is already trying to answer the question as to what became of the unfinished cars, GTO and GP. Also the 64 Cat and the 62 Cat previous to the 65.

[65 Cat 2+2]

that is a 2+2 fender (you can see where there trim was

I am confused by that fender. It's a '66, so there would be no louvers on it. The '66 2+2 had 3 taller louvers just behind the doors on the rear quarters, not on the fenders. The welded patch panel in the picture is where '65 louvers would have been. Weird. Unless they grafted the front of a '66 fender to the rear of a '65, but it doesn't appear to be the case.
I could care less about present day NASCAR racing, considering how it has evolved. If it were still real stock car racing, as in the '50's & early/mid-'60's, I'd be a huge fan.
That was thrilling - real cars driven by real men.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by 65 Cat 2+2

I could care less about present day NASCAR racing, considering how it has evolved. If it were still real stock car racing, as in the '50's & early/mid-'60's, I'd be a huge fan. That was thrilling - real cars driven by real men.

A-MEN, brother.