Pro stock help?

[ridinframe]

I'm hoping someone can help me. I know there are other parts of this forum I could probably go to but I'm not sure where that is. I just recently got my hands on a 69 olds 442 that I'm going to be building as a pro stock, the problem I'm having is the chassis, I know nothing about chassis or chassis building, I'm coming from a world of lowriders and hot rods. This build is going to be an in memory for a friend who passed away and the 69 olds 442 was their dream car. If anyone can point me in some kinda direction on where maybe I could get a chassis or someone could help me build one, I would be grateful.

[W-409]

I think no one was driving a '69 Olds Pro Stock back then... If you are going to build a modern Tube Chassis Drag Car from '69 Oldsmobile, it is Not a Pro Stock car. Pro Stock rules are very limited and most of the guys run with new Camaros, Mustangs etc. I'm not a Pro Stock expert, I guess someone else can tell about the rules in more specific way.

If you are going to build a modern Tube Chassis car, there are many different classes where it can run. For example Competition Eliminator, Top Sportsman, Pro Modified and so on depending on the engine and other stuff. But unfortunately, Pro Stock is not one of them. This is what today's Pro Stock car looks:

I don't try to be a nitpicker or anything... Just trying to help you on the classes.

If you want to build a modern day Drag Car with Tube Chassis, I think your best choice would be Pro Sportsman kits from Revell. '55 And '57 Chevrolet kits have a nice tube chassis that can be fitted in many different cars. I haven't tried it in '69 Olds, but I guess it will fit with some adjustments. Also Revell '56 Jukebox Ford has the same chassis, as well as Revell's Christine Pro Mod kit. Those kits have nice engines and basically all you need would be the Oldsmobile body and one of those Revell kits.

[ScaleDale]

]I'm pretty sure Pro Stock debuted as a recognized elimination class in 1969, but I don't know if Olds 442s competed in it. Heres a link to a '70 Camaro to show what a car of that era would look like. Not as exotic as the modern one Niko posted.

EDIT: The link broke, so do an image search on Grumpy Jenkins Camaro and you will get a feel of the cars.

http://www.dragzine.com/news/“grumpy”-jenkins-1970-camaro-off-to-auction/

It might be better to go with Super Stock, which had a lot of 442s in it. Stock body and frame with a narrowed rear end for wide tires. You could probably adapt the chassis off the Pro street Chevelle to get the rear end look.

Olds 442 Super Stock

Dale

Edited December 8, 2013 by ScaleDale

[caine440]

NHRA Pro Stock first year was 1970.

No olds 442 were competing in Pro Stock that I am aware of.

It would make a nice stocker or super stocker if you are going the vintage route.

[W-409]

If you are doing a Super Stock Drag Car, you must decide if you want to build an old Super Stocker, that could race in 1969 or so, or modern day Super Stocker. Obviously, the modern one would need bigger modifications, just like Dale said, big wheel wells in the rear etc. Old Super Stock car would be an easier one to build, because the rule was that you could fit as big slicks as you could make fit into stock wheel wells. The whole car would be closer to a 'Stock Car'.

That picture what Dale posted, is not a Super Stocker, though. It says B/Stock on the B-Pillar.

I drive Stock Eliminator in real life and I have studied the history of Stock and Super Stock a bit.

Edited December 8, 2013 by W-409

[ScaleDale]

If you are doing a Super Stock Drag Car, you must decide if you want to build an old Super Stocker, that could race in 1969 or so, or modern day Super Stocker. Obviously, the modern one would need bigger modifications, just like Dale said, big wheel wells in the rear etc. Old Super Stock car would be an easier one to build, because the rule was that you could fit as big slicks as you could make fit into stock wheel wells. The whole car would be closer to a 'Stock Car'.

That picture what Dale posted, is not a Super Stocker, though. It says B/Stock on the B-Pillar.

I drive Stock Eliminator in real life and I have studied the history of Stock and Super Stock a bit.

^^^ I noticed that after I posted it. Embarrassing...

The rule for tires in Stock and Super Stock hasn't really changed. Tires must be inside the wheel wells. Hot rodders being hot rodders, they figured out how to move the outside edge of the frame in to let bigger tires fit in that space. Current Stock is limited to 9 inch tires while Super Stock goes to 11 (I think). I'm building a 1:1 68 Mustang for Super Stock and the surgery needed to move the rear frame rails in is scary.

Dale

[ridinframe]

Thanks for the insight on the classes, I really have no clue about pro stock, pro mod. I guess I'm going more for the style of cars in these pictures. Jeff lutz 57 chevy or Larry larsons nova both high horse power, tube chassis cars..

[6bblbird]

While not a '69, the car below shows that Oldsmobile bodies can be used in a Pro Mod or Outlaw application.

Best bet would be to use one of the Revell "Pro Sportsman" kits for a donor chassis.

WF

[reig3]

Warren Johnson did race a 1983 Cutlass in Pro Stock.