Some unusual race cars

[6883michaelw]

Here's a few unusual cars that ran in NASCARs grand national series. Hope you like them. Can anyone figure out what is so different with the last one???

[afx]

Thank you for sharing these.  If you come across more I hope you will post them.

[swede70]

On the last image, the Chevrolet seen appears to have a '69 front clip and doors, with '68 panel work further back.  The four-door Oldsmobile is a scream.  Fun images surely...

Mike K./Swede70

 

['70 Grande]

I agree; love seeing these unusual race cars many-of-which were probably built in backyard garages.  That 4-door Olds is a whoot; I was thinking that last pic Chevrolet looked like it might have a '67 Chevelle roof on top of it!?!?!?

[Dave Van]

Love that Bird....may have to build!!

[cobraman]

Great pics  ! O would love to see more of these.

[gks1964]

12 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Great pics  ! O would love to see more of these.

Agree 100%!

Thanks for posting.

[6883michaelw]

3 hours ago, swede70 said:

On the last image, the Chevrolet seen appears to have a '69 front clip and doors, with '68 panel work further back.  The four-door Oldsmobile is a scream.  Fun images surely...

Mike K./Swede70

 

That's exactly what I thought. I guess NASCAR was a bit more flexible with there rules back then. 

[THarrison351]

The first car pictured might have been in a NASCAR Grand National race at one time, but that picture is from a later date. It would have no longer been eligible because it would have been too old for a 1969 Thunderbird. A 1969 Thunderbird would be eligible for the 1969, 1970 and 1971 seasons. Those wheels (slotted) are for disc brakes. Disc brakes did not come into use in NASCAR until the 1972 season. It was probably some type of Sportsman or vintage racer. Great pictures otherwise. Oh, yeah If you Google Henley Gray and 1971 Thunderbird you'll see another unusual, but good looking NASCAR GN car. He campaigned it for several races in the 1972 an 1973 seasons. The decals were actually part of the previous  AMT release with the green 1971 Thunderbird on the box.

Edited March 2, 2020 by THarrison351

[john843]

11 hours ago, swede70 said:

On the last image, the Chevrolet seen appears to have a '69 front clip and doors, with '68 panel work further back.  The four-door Oldsmobile is a scream.  Fun images surely...

Mike K./Swede70

 

Yep, that's a '71 behind it, so Nascar may have told them they had to "69" it a little to meet the 3 year rule. Look's kinda like a '68 & 3/8ths:)

John

[DoctorLarry]

Looks like someone found the Petersen Archives. Beware-once you start looking you will be there for awhile...

[MarkJ]

I take it these are Winston west cars?  I didn't think nascar used 4 door cars till they started using the fusion,  chevy ss, and camry a few   years ago?

[Jim N]

4 hours ago, MarkJ said:

I take it these are Winston west cars?  I didn't think nascar used 4 door cars till they started using the fusion,  chevy ss, and camry a few   years ago?

The Taurus from the late 1990's was the first 4 - door car raced in NASCAR Cup since at least the 80's. 

[moparfarmer]

20 hours ago, 6883michaelw said:

Here's a few unusual cars that ran in NASCARs grand national series. Hope you like them. Can anyone figure out what is so different with the last one???

There is a pony car(Mustang) full size car(Chevy) and a intermediate (Plymouth)  all three racing together..

 

[MarkJ]

2 hours ago, Jim N said:

The Taurus from the late 1990's was the first 4 - door car raced in NASCAR Cup since at least the 80's. 

yup, forgot about that one. 

[Dave Van]

4 hours ago, moparfarmer said:

There is a pony car(Mustang) full size car(Chevy) and a intermediate (Plymouth)  all three racing together..

 

I'm missing the Mustang???

[6883michaelw]

1 hour ago, Dave Van said:

I'm missing the Mustang???

Looks like a Torino to me

[iBorg]

In the last photo, is that a four door door? I seem to remember two doors being a hardtop without the full door frame.

[6883michaelw]

13 minutes ago, iBorg said:

In the last photo, is that a four door door? I seem to remember two doors being a hardtop without the full door frame.

The last pic is a 68 Chevy Biscayne with 69 doors and front clip. The pic above is an Olds Cutlass 4 dr. hardtop. 

[Dave Van]

1 hour ago, 6883michaelw said:

Looks like a Torino to me

Last photo that rear fastnack is a Torino......

[Wm David Green]

These are great pics. These sort of cars get my NASCAR juices going.

Would these cars have run on slightly modified stock chassis, or completely scratch built frames ?  

Thanks

David G.

[chepp]

How about Smokey Yunick's alleged 7/8 scale '66 Chevelle? It wasn't actually 7/8, or 15/16 but it was unusual. There are lots of stories about it. Here's one: https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/the-truth-about-smokey-yunicks-78-scale-chevelle/ .

[Fat Brian]

The Thunderbird is probably a 67, the 68 and 69 models had long bumper extensions toward the fender opening for side turn signals. 

[Draggon]

The T-Bird in the first photo is probably at a Winston West event. Could be Sears Point, or whatever they call it these days. Marck Motors is in El Cajon, CA. 

[Dave Toups]

I remember reading somewhere that the 4-door Olds in those photos raced with an automatic transmission!