My Maverick some 30 years ago

Discussion in 'Drag Racing' started by olerodder, May 10, 2010.

  1. olerodder

    olerodder Member

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    Here are two pictures of my Maverick when it was racing NHRA some 30 years ago. It raced in B/SM and was turning 10.6's @ 133mph in the 1/4.
    The guy that owned and built it had a 302 with 351C heads, and ran a crash box top loader (of which I still have) for almost 3 years before he sold it. It hasn't changed much since then, except the motor and trans are a little different. It's really great to be able to see the car the way it was......................I am putting the same graphics back on the car although they will be in white.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2011
  2. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

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    That's really neat to have a car that has a history like that.(y)
     
  3. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

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    Wow! Very interesting! Neat pics too. Can't wait to hear more about this car.
     
  4. Dfitzman

    Dfitzman Member

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    nice old pics, must be interesting to own a car with history. a slice of time.
     
  5. Mercurycruizers

    Mercurycruizers David (Coop) Cooper

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    Very cool! Thanks for sharing...
     
  6. olerodder

    olerodder Member

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    The car was purchased by Greg Nichols in the mid 70's to compete in the SM NHRA class. The car was sponsered by Bell&Gaines, who is still in business today in Modesto, CA. They are an auto parts store with machine shop and build motors, etc. Herold & Mielenze, Inc. was a major sponsor and also built an open trailer to haul the car. The trailer was black with chrome rims and pinstriped to match the car, they are also still in business and have two shops, one in Sacramento and one in Modesto, they rebuilt/build electric motors, pumps, etc. The last sponsor was Wilson's Ford Parts in Sacramento, and they are no longer in business.
    The car ran mostly in California during 79/80/81. While Greg had the car it was a 4spd car with a 302ci Ford with 351C heads. Sig Erson was also a sponsor of the car and a number of wild cams were used with the 302 spinning upwards of 8500/9000RPM.
    The was then sold to someone in Southern California where it was modified by Doug "Cookie" Cook, of the famous Stone/Woods/Cook cars.
    At some point in time the motor and trans were changed to a CHP/408ci motor and Mike's Transmissions Powerglide. The interior of the car is much like it was in late 70's early 80's. When it was racing NHRA B/SM it had 10.5" rear tires (which were manditory) but had room to go to 14" wide. Today it has 31x13x15 rear tires and still maintains the 27.5" front tires and drum brakes on all four corners, as this was manditory to run the stock configuration when it came to brakes..................this will be changed to disc's in front.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2010
  7. greasemonkey

    greasemonkey Burnin corn

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    Cool, i love stuff with historical value.
     
  8. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    Wouldn't the sponsor have actually been Sig Erson Camshafts?

    Great looking car with great history - can't wait to see how this turns out :yahoo:
     
  9. olerodder

    olerodder Member

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    Mav1970,

    Yes, you are right, my spelling error.
    I can't wait to see also!
     
  10. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    Sometimes it takes more than 1 of us ol' guys to remember things correctly. :cry:

    We just have to stick together :rofl2:
     
  11. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    Simply awesome! Can't wait to see more.

    Bruce
     
  12. darren

    darren Member

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    Now thats a great history on a car.
     
  13. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

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    Awesome car, and a great history lesson....
     
  14. dkstuck

    dkstuck Member

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    Love to hear great stories !!!!
     
  15. ShadowMaster

    ShadowMaster The Bad Guy

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    Christ on a stick.....Greg Nichols old B/Super car. Can't remember what race I saw it at the last time. We were in Pro Comp with an alcohol dragster at the time. I remember staring at that car for almost an hour before we had to be in the lanes.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2010

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