Trying to help out a friend get info on this car used to race at Englishtown.
Here is what he knows.
Here is what he knows.
Any one race Englistown in the 80's know this car?
- Thread starter halifaxhops
- Start date
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Here’s the story on the car. It was bought new in 1970 by Albert Wahler and it was bought in Garwood NJ. Al brought the car home, pulled the engine and sent it to Rodger’s Speed shop (which still exists). The engine was completely rebuilt with a set of Richard Petty prepped heads and intake. It also had a .700 lift solid cam. The car supposedly ran low 10s which in 1970 was pretty fast. It was also converted to a 4 speed. The car was originally an automatic. Al made an interesting modification to the car. Because of the solid lift cam and the need to adjust the valves and the problem of getting the driver side valve cover off due to the brake booster, Al moved the brake booster assembly to the radiator support and ran a long rod through the engine compartment to operate the brakes. This story was verified by the third owner who moved the booster back to its proper location.
The second owner who I am still looking for (and hope you can help me find) owned the car from around 1975-1980. He supposedly raced the car at Englishtown and possibly Atco. He lived in Belleville NJ and was pretty young when he bought the car from Al Wahler. Al’s son Keith, told me his dad was concerned selling the car to a guy that young because of the horsepower and his fear that he would kill himself or wreck the car.
Modifications that we know this young man made to the car include in stalling a fiberglass hood (probably a T/A hood), and he opened up the rear wheel wells for larger tires. Given that the car was a 4 speed at the time, I would guess he overreved the engine at some point and blew the motor.
This young man converted the car back to a street car sometime around 1980 including installation of new lower quarters. The third owner purchased it around 1980. The third owner could not remember who it was he bought the car from but did believe the guy was from Belleville NJ.
Given that the car was beige with a tan interior and a 4 speed at the time, I would think someone active in the race scene in 1975-1979 from northern NJ would remember the car. We know it had a fiberglass hood because 4 hood pin holes were located in the engine compartment.
Ray, could you ask around and see if any of your buddies might recognize the car or perhaps they could pass on the story to their friends and see if the car sounds familiar to them? I think the brake booster modification was very unique and would be something easily remembered.
The second owner who I am still looking for (and hope you can help me find) owned the car from around 1975-1980. He supposedly raced the car at Englishtown and possibly Atco. He lived in Belleville NJ and was pretty young when he bought the car from Al Wahler. Al’s son Keith, told me his dad was concerned selling the car to a guy that young because of the horsepower and his fear that he would kill himself or wreck the car.
Modifications that we know this young man made to the car include in stalling a fiberglass hood (probably a T/A hood), and he opened up the rear wheel wells for larger tires. Given that the car was a 4 speed at the time, I would guess he overreved the engine at some point and blew the motor.
This young man converted the car back to a street car sometime around 1980 including installation of new lower quarters. The third owner purchased it around 1980. The third owner could not remember who it was he bought the car from but did believe the guy was from Belleville NJ.
Given that the car was beige with a tan interior and a 4 speed at the time, I would think someone active in the race scene in 1975-1979 from northern NJ would remember the car. We know it had a fiberglass hood because 4 hood pin holes were located in the engine compartment.
Ray, could you ask around and see if any of your buddies might recognize the car or perhaps they could pass on the story to their friends and see if the car sounds familiar to them? I think the brake booster modification was very unique and would be something easily remembered.
Ray, Any other photos? Any showing the colors it may have been wearing when campaigned?
10 seconds would have been very fast. Don't know a lot, but do know two people that might if it was being run in NHRA Stock. I think a 440 in a Challenger would have been E or F stock, and I do know someone from northern NJ who had started a Challenger to run in that class.
10 seconds would have been very fast. Don't know a lot, but do know two people that might if it was being run in NHRA Stock. I think a 440 in a Challenger would have been E or F stock, and I do know someone from northern NJ who had started a Challenger to run in that class.
Mattax, I don’t have any other photos of the car. I spoke with one gentleman that used to race in Englishtown and he said the car would have run in a modified class. It also may have just run “test n tune” and spent most of its time street racing. The guy that bought the car from the original owner was in his early 20s and was from Belleville NJ. He had the car from 1975-1980 or there about. This is the only piece of the cars history that’s still a mystery. If you know anyone from the Belleville area that was into the street racing scene during those years, that would be extremely helpful. I’m sure someone will remember the car. - Jerry Otterbein
Thread moved to 'Lost and Found". Good luck. Sounds like some history here.
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
Jerry have you asked about it at Factory 426 Hemi Cars (No Clones) & Unlawfl's Race & Engine Tech | Moparts Forums yet?
J Barry knows what he says!
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
Jerry & I know each other well Hoppy, he has the most recent signature on my shop door.
Barry,
I have posted on the first but not the other two which I will do. I’ve also posted on both Englishtown and ATCO memories FB pages but no luck. I’ll keep trying. By the way- the seat covers are in. I’ll get in touch to deliver them to you.
I have posted on the first but not the other two which I will do. I’ve also posted on both Englishtown and ATCO memories FB pages but no luck. I’ll keep trying. By the way- the seat covers are in. I’ll get in touch to deliver them to you.
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
Awesome. The bucket frames are 'in burlap' now.
LOL Good to know. Can you read his? Have to pick your brain one day when you get a few spare minutes give me a call if you can.
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