65 Barracuda AWB Funny Car

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jforb

jforb

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Sierra Vista AZ
I've started working on my 65 Barracuda. The plan is to make an Altered Wheelbase early Funny Car, that I can drive on the street. And go pretty quick at the drag strip. Like, high 8s, if all goes well. Motivation is Hot Rod Drag Week, which I've participated in for several years.

The plan for the drivetrain is a blown Hemi, with an automatic trans and Dana 60 rear. It will have a dropped axle up front.

Here's a photoshop by one of the guys on the HAMB. The car will have paint and lettering, and sit up higher than this in the front. And a blower poking out just in front of the windshield.

plan.jpg


The raw material. A nice solid southwest car, that probably should have been restored, but no one else bought it, so I figured I ought to. I took just about everything out of the car, but left the chassis alone. I intend to cut the body off the floor and firewall. There won't be much left of the body, just the roof, quarters, rear panel, and door openings.

before04.jpg


Follow along as I figure out how to make this work. It won't be easy.
 
They shouldda made um like that. That looks badass as all hell.
 
I've been looking at a LOT of pictures of cars from the 1966ish era. I talked with Mike about his car a few months ago. It actually is the inspiration for my build.
 
There is a thread on here somewhere showing a member doing exactly what you're proposing to do. I believe he was building a 66 Barracuda. I believe the thread was titled Barracuda funny car.

Also, diehard Mopar guy Steve Magnente has built several AWB cars, including early A bodies, and has devised a relatively simple way of moving the rear axle foward. I'm not sure where you'd get it, but he has compiled all the steps of how to do it on a DVD. Good luck with your project, should be cool when finished!
 
Thanks for the pics. A couple new ones I hadn't seen.

I'd like to see the thread on the other one, I'm not very good at finding stuff on here yet.

I have Steve's book. It doesn't really apply to this one, since I'm replacing the entire floor/frame structure. I already built an altered wheelbase Chevy using techniques similar to those in his book. This car is a whole nuther can of worms!
 
I'm looking for a block, if anyone knows of one that's for sale. Some type of 426 based Hemi block, with water jackets. Either original 4.25" bore size, with an overbore to clean up is ok. Or a 4.5" bore block.

Thanks..
 
Just a few suggestions . There is a gentleman by the name of Blair Smith who has a restoration shop in Middleborough Mass . He has Fred F. Cain's "Hurricain" injected funny . He may be of help . If you need a supercharged Hemi I suggest Brian Knox of "Sassy Engines " in Weare, N.H. I have also spoken to Stevie Mags about street A/FX . I think a blower motor needs substantial chassis work to take the torque . Injected motors can be used with stock chassis and a good roll cage . Good luck , great project
 
I think it depends on how you build the blower motor. My take is that an NA motor is going to be set up to work at high RPM, and to put the power to use, it needs to launch the car at high RPM. This shocks the driveline components more than a mild, torquey engine that launches at moderate RPM.

At least that's been my experience over many years of driving blown cars on the street and at the strip.
 
I remember drafting like that in school. We took a field trip to Ford motor and were able to see that new thing called CAD. That was around 84 and we played with the 360 degree of the Escort on the computer.
 
Hi , jforb , Look on page 10 or 11 and you will find Olds Man 66 Cuda Funnycar Build . It's on the bottom of page 10 or will be pushed to page 11 . That's my car build . If you want to see it I am located in Tucson . Just send me a PM . and we can sent up a date to get together . I have about the same build going as the one you have lined out for yours . Thanks John

1966 afx 031.jpg
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1966 afx 035.jpg
 
Hi, thanks for posting! I do need to get up there and see your car. I had seen some pictures of it on the web when I was looking for information about these cars. It's really neat, no one else seems to have ever made a stretch nose street car like that!

My build is going to be just a little different than yours, although the car will have some similarities. I'm building mine more as a race car I can drive on the street, than as a street car that looks like an old race car. It's a subtle difference.

I've been pondering how I'm going to make stretched glass front fenders....I guess the smart thing to do would be to borrow yours, do the bodywork on them, and take a mold off them. :)
 
Yes, and I still haven't figured out what lifters you're supposed to use with that cam.

I'm leaning towards using some different parts. Either Stage V or MP heads, and probably a Comp Cams bumpstick with solid rollers.
 
I did a little research for you on fiberglass on your 65 cuda .
VFN fiberglass has hoods , deck lids and bumpers .
Glass tech has lower gravel pans , deck lid , doors .
Us Body source has fenders .
You would have to get a lot of front end pieces to make a mold of my fenders and use it . 2 grills , center grill , headlight bezels , splash pan under grill and bumpers .. it would add up the cost of the build . Again get in touch with me and I will give you driving instructions to my house . By the way , depending on what tubing you are going to use for the cage , I have a tubing bender that you can use to form the cage with .
 
thanks!

I had found the glass suppliers. I'm considering buying doors and some rear glass stuff from Glasstek. I'll probably just have to figure out how to make the parts for the rest of it. Which will be yet another fun learning adventure.

I'm planning to get a 4130 cage kit, to save some weight. Appreciate the offer of the bender!
 
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