Snake45 Posted October 1, 2014 Posted October 1, 2014 I'm working on a late-'60s-early '70s Modified Production drag car. In looking at vintage ref pics, I see that most cars had a three-digit number painted on the side widows (or sometimes on the body itself). Does this number mean anything in particular? In other words, can I paint on any random 3-digit number, or does this number mean something that would make me look stupid if I pick a "wrong" one?
Nitro Neil Posted October 1, 2014 Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) That's their competition number which was issued by the NHRA, AHRA or IHRA. You can pretty much use any set of numbers you want. I have used a number made up of my birth month and year on models I have built. Edited October 1, 2014 by Nitro Neil
moparfan1 Posted October 1, 2014 Posted October 1, 2014 I'm not sure what year it started, but I know for the majority of NHRA's existence the first digit in a car number would represent what division the driver was from. Generally, drivers would have three or four digit numbers. If the number has two digits, it means that the driver was a top ten finisher in their division in the previous season for their respective class. For example, if you see a Super Stock car with number 14 on it, that driver finished fourth in division one last season. If the car has a number of 1-10, that means the previous season they were a top ten finisher in the national class points. Outside of these guidelines the numbers used are as assigned or requested from the Association.
Snake45 Posted October 1, 2014 Author Posted October 1, 2014 Okay, so I could paint 414 or 417 or 474 or 714 or some such on there and not be wrong? (Notice all these numbers have straight lines, no curves.)
Nitro Neil Posted October 1, 2014 Posted October 1, 2014 Nick, the four digit thing is for non-professional classes. Pro classes still use three digits. And Snake's original question was about Modified Production which went away before the four digit numbering thing started, I think.
Snake45 Posted October 1, 2014 Author Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) Nick, the four digit thing is for non-professional classes. Pro classes still use three digits. And Snake's original question was about Modified Production which went away before the four digit numbering thing started, I think. Yeah, I'm building a car dated somewhere in the 1969-72 timeframe. I'm using the May '68 Car Craft, special features on Modified Production, for one reference. It's just a bit earlier than I'm going for. I think tunnel rams had just appeared about then. BTW, thanks Neil for your very helpful answer. Much appreciated! Edited October 1, 2014 by Snake45
Nitro Neil Posted October 1, 2014 Posted October 1, 2014 I think that the four digit numbers began around the time that Compulink Timing Systems introduced their first system in 1984.
ScaleDale Posted October 3, 2014 Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) I went back through all the photos I have of Division 6 cars from Pacific Raceways and all the comp numbers started with a 6. First digit must be division number. Several of the older Sportsman drivers have 6 x x numbers. Newer drivers seem to have four digit numbers. I think it's due to the numbers being assigned permanently. Just ran out of them below 6 x x . Pro class champs have the number 1 for the following season. That may be true for at least the top ten. Dale Edited October 3, 2014 by ScaleDale
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