1969 440 'cuda ~ Original Road Test

1969 440 'cuda

This Car Was Built For One Thing Only,

We were quite pleased with the 12.82 @ 110.9 MPH, but we
knew the 'Freak Fish' had more in it.

Sonny Falcone {Rockville Centre Dodge 'gearhead'} made his move. First, he dropped the air-pressure in the Goodyear Slicks to 17 lbs., which would give the light-rear A-Body a little more bite off the line.

Then he added '5' more pounds of air into the front E70 x 14's, pushing the
limit at 45 lbs., which could make the 440 'Cuda handle like 'skating-on-ice' on the Top-End.

Next, Sonny loosened up the 'Fan Belt', so that there would be less drag on the
Water Pump and Alternator pulleys.

Then, Sonny replaced the 'factory' Breaker-Points with a set of Echlin 'Hi-Rev' High-Performance points, with a 32-ounce tension-rate.

Cliff then fired up the 'Cuda, and Sonny reset the Timing to have a Total Advance
of 38*@ 2500 RPM's, which is the best maximum setting for a Street/Strip 440.

Sonny then added a 'final tweak' to the Carter AVS Carburetor before slamming the
Hood, and pointing to Cliff while saying >.... "Bury the F***ing needle."

Cliff then warmed up the Goodyears, and did a 'Power-Brake' burn-out for a good
20-Seconds, with tire smoke literally hovering over the entire staging area.

Cliff then pulled up to the line and 'staged', as Fred Mackerdodt prepared to
trip-the-lights and send the 440 'Cuda on it's way.

Cliff brought up the RPM's to 3500, as the rear-end of the 'Cuda lifted,
and with the big 440 sounding like a 'growling' Grizzly Bear.

Fred 'flipped-the-switch', and the lights came down the Chrondek Tree.

Once the 'Green-Light' came on. Cliff left the line with a 'voracious roar'.

The 'Cuda left the line with a ferocious leap, and the 'Fearsome Fish' tore thru
1st-Gear as the Carter AVS vacuum secondaries swallowed air like a Jet Engine
roaring during take-off.

Cliff was banging into 2nd-Gear with another 5200 RPM shift, and the 'Cuda
was moving like a Barracuda in attack-mode in the water.

Another hard 5200 RPM shift into 3rd-Gear, and the 440 pulled into the
5500 RPM range as it headed into Top-End at 110+ MPH.

It was a 'Fish-with-a-Flash' as the Limelight Green Freak went thru the traps with Cliff flashing a big wide-grin on his face.

Results ..... 12.68 @ 111.9 MPH