This is old news, but you may find it interesting. In 1990-91 when I was 2-3 years old, My Dad was involved in an automotive business partnership called Rocket Service in Englewood, CO with another guy named Randy. The business was new at the time, and they were looking to build an unmistakeable car to carry the name of the business.
Randy knew Herman Chapman, who lived near Sedalia, CO at the time, a few miles south of Englewood. When Herman decided to sell his '59 in 1990, he offered it to Randy first because he knew Randy had plans to keep racing it.
My Dad said it was ready to race as is was. Still had Herman's stock class 348 in it with a homemade single plane intake for small port cylinder heads, iron powerglide, and a 4.88 posi. Exactly as Herman had raced it last. My Dad drove it around the shop with open headers, and he said it ran really strong even with a powerglide. That only lasted a day or so I bet, as they tore it down for the next phase right away.
In short time the X-frame was gone, and a new tube chassis was built for it. Dunno what class (if any) they were shooting for when they built it, but I do know they wanted to keep the W motor in it, and they were on a tight budget. Thus, most of Herman's Jr. Stock 348 was used. They put a 409 crank in it, good rods and pistons, and thats it. The block, 348 heads, (379's?) and solid flat tappet cam were all leftovers from the Jr. Stock engine. They sourced a manifold, 6-71 GMC, and the drive from somewhere, and they bought a used 4 port Hilborn and pump from Tak's automotive, owned/operated by a guy who campaigned a Fiat altered here in CO. Tak also set up the pump/injector for them. Tak, knowing their combination, told them it would break 9's, even a mile above sea level. My Dad and Randy thought he was full of it!
My Dad said when they fired that blown/injected 380 for the first time, it was in the shop with weed burners on alcohol. He said it was the coolest sound he's ever heard. The first time out at Bandimere here in Denver, the car went 9.60 @ 140 with Fred Kennedy at the wheel. The car was still in primer at this point, with no lettering. Randy lost interest in the '59 soon after it was completed, and wanted to sell it. My dad wanted to paint it black and letter it with the business name, and use it to promote the business. Would've been fantastic advertising for a speed shop back then, in a sea of bracket class chevelle's and camaro's.
Fred Kennedy bought the car soon after. Randy continued Rocket Service, and my Dad pursued the (non automotive) career he still has today. My Dad took the pics below the day they picked the car up from Herman, along with the subsequent build pics. I found these in a file cabinet along with the magazine and scanned em. The words above are from my Dad as I heard em. Thats Herman in the picture below.
Randy knew Herman Chapman, who lived near Sedalia, CO at the time, a few miles south of Englewood. When Herman decided to sell his '59 in 1990, he offered it to Randy first because he knew Randy had plans to keep racing it.
My Dad said it was ready to race as is was. Still had Herman's stock class 348 in it with a homemade single plane intake for small port cylinder heads, iron powerglide, and a 4.88 posi. Exactly as Herman had raced it last. My Dad drove it around the shop with open headers, and he said it ran really strong even with a powerglide. That only lasted a day or so I bet, as they tore it down for the next phase right away.
In short time the X-frame was gone, and a new tube chassis was built for it. Dunno what class (if any) they were shooting for when they built it, but I do know they wanted to keep the W motor in it, and they were on a tight budget. Thus, most of Herman's Jr. Stock 348 was used. They put a 409 crank in it, good rods and pistons, and thats it. The block, 348 heads, (379's?) and solid flat tappet cam were all leftovers from the Jr. Stock engine. They sourced a manifold, 6-71 GMC, and the drive from somewhere, and they bought a used 4 port Hilborn and pump from Tak's automotive, owned/operated by a guy who campaigned a Fiat altered here in CO. Tak also set up the pump/injector for them. Tak, knowing their combination, told them it would break 9's, even a mile above sea level. My Dad and Randy thought he was full of it!
My Dad said when they fired that blown/injected 380 for the first time, it was in the shop with weed burners on alcohol. He said it was the coolest sound he's ever heard. The first time out at Bandimere here in Denver, the car went 9.60 @ 140 with Fred Kennedy at the wheel. The car was still in primer at this point, with no lettering. Randy lost interest in the '59 soon after it was completed, and wanted to sell it. My dad wanted to paint it black and letter it with the business name, and use it to promote the business. Would've been fantastic advertising for a speed shop back then, in a sea of bracket class chevelle's and camaro's.
Fred Kennedy bought the car soon after. Randy continued Rocket Service, and my Dad pursued the (non automotive) career he still has today. My Dad took the pics below the day they picked the car up from Herman, along with the subsequent build pics. I found these in a file cabinet along with the magazine and scanned em. The words above are from my Dad as I heard em. Thats Herman in the picture below.
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