Inliners International Forums General Discussion MOPAR Plymouth Stock Cars...the early years

Since we've been talking about optimizing quench on the other thread, I thought it would be more appropriate to post this here...please let me know if this is appropriate subject matter for the board.

Most folks don't know that the Plymouth six had quite a racing pedigree. From 1949 (NASCAR's Grand National debut) to 1952, Plymouth finished no worse than 3rd in the Manufacturer's Championship (2nd in 1949, 2nd in 1950, 3rd in 1951 and 1952). While competing against the much heralded Hudson Hornet and Olds 88. Along the way, the pesky little Plymouths scored victories at some of NASCAR's most prestigious venues; Langhorne, Heidelburg, Darlington, Occoneechee, Martinsville, and North Wilkesboro.

Plymouth aces of the time were some of the biggest names in motorsports - Herb Thomas (who won the 1951 Championship splitting time between a Plymouth and Hudson), Lee Petty, Frank Mundy, Jimmie Lewallen, and AAA 'big car' pilots Johnny Mantz and 1949 Indy 500-winner Bill Holland.

'Big car' ace Johnny Mantz takes the white flag at the inaugural Southern 500 at Darlington.


Mantz and his Plymouth in victory lane. Margin of victory - 9 laps.


2 weeks later Leon Sales pilots the Mantz car to victory at North Wilkesboro.


Dick Meyer's '50 Plymouth fastback at Gardenia, Calif.


Lee Petty and his trusty Plymouth 3-passenger coupe


Herb Thomas' 3-passenger coupe

This is great stuff!

I know the son of one of the Hudson team owners. He tells some wild old stories about when he was a kid and they were the 'bad guys' down from Chicago at the southern tracks.

Here's one of his good stories:

Halfdollar,
Great post!
I have not followed the early years of NASCAR, first engines I followed were more like the 389 Pontiac and 430 Tbird.

So this was the little 230 Plymouth, going up against stuff as big as the 308 Hudson and 303 Olds? And winning, WOW!

If I remember correctly wasn't there some straighty involved on a lot of the longer races- such as 6-ply truck tires on the lighter cars. Stop & go fuel only and tires sometimes lasting the full race while heavier cars were changing 4 with 4-way spinners? Just what I think I read or remember. 1 OL REDNECK

I never knew much about nascar engine rules back then BUT I remember we would slice a intake manifold horizontally on a band saw-HOG OUT- POLISH the inside, braze it back together' grind it down to look stock and paint it flat black on the straight 8 buicks and chevrolets that had to be stock. No cars newer than 1948.

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That post shows a lot of insight, Hank...

Come on guys- A man is entitled to his opinion! Lets don't let his spoil this subject. Keep it going! 1 OL REDNECK

Sorry guys, my wife letting my 4 year old play on computer,I cannot delete it.

MBHD

"fugugy" Come on Hank Thats too advanced for a 4 year old. There is some good stuff in that post. You must have been helping. Beater

Thanks for the explanation Hank. 1 OL REDNECK

HEY where is everyone? I want more stock cars!!! 1 OL REDNECK

Hope they're out in the darkroom printing more photos...

I'M JUST STARTING TO RELALIZE THE POSSABLITY'S THESE LITTLE FLATHEADS HAD AND I LOVE THOSE LITTLE COUPES. 1 OL REDNECK