There was a time when the term 'Stock Car' really meant 'Stock.' That was the way the sport started, and there are many that wish it was still the case. It was time when production cars right out of the showroom were modified to race on tracks around the country. In many cases, a significant portion of the production car was converted in the quest for speed.
In later decades racers trended toward custom-built tubular frame cars and as such the small businesses focusing on purpose-built race car chassis began springing up. But even today, there is nothing like the look of a converted street car/ race car.
Such an example is this '54 Ford-based machine which was built by Dan Wright in 1966. During those 13 years before Wright got his hands on the car, it undoubtedly was on the road carrying its owner to work and the grocery store just like all its brethren.
There’s no question where...
There’s no question where this car’s loyalties lie.
After its transformation from grocery getting to trophy getting, Wright acted as car owner, racing the Ford from 1966 to 1967. Wright sold the car and a succession of owners would campaign it around the southern and middle portions of the country. Reportedly, this all-pavement car raced at Capital Speedway in Kentucky and the SportsDrome in Indiana. But it was at Fairgrounds Speedway in Kentucky where the car competed against the likes of legendary NASCAR builder Harry Hyde.
Longtime vintage race car fan Mike Swain from western Ohio was attracted to this car and accomplished the restoration. But it doesn't just sit, it's regularly exercised with vintage race groups.
An inspection of this car reveals some of the period building techniques and modifications that were used in car building more than four decades ago. For example, while the car sports its stock frame and stock floor, the front coil springs were heated and compacted for a lower stance. In the rear, the parallel leaf springs were heated close to their ends and were shoved up where they rested on the frame. It made the suspension much stiffer. Let's take a closer look at this former NASCAR stocker.
With its massive Mercury front...
With its massive Mercury front bumper, the car has a bit of a brutal look from the front.
A side view of this classic...
A side view of this classic stock car shows its level stance, but it’s actually sitting about 5 to 6 inches lower than stock thanks to manipulation of the coil springs.
The rear view retains pretty...
The rear view retains pretty much a factory look with the stock rear bumper being used. Note that the taillights have been removed and flared over with sheetmetal. You certainly didn’t want any glass fixtures back there on the track. In addition, the factory gas cap, just above the bumper was also flared in.
There was an interesting technique...
There was an interesting technique employed in attaching the seat belt to the floor with chains. This is one old-school practice that you don’t want to repeat today!
No need for a spare tire with...
No need for a spare tire with this car. But its location is a perfect spot for the battery. As you can see, the battery wires run inside the car.
A normal bench seat was used...
A normal bench seat was used in many of these cars. You will note that the back rest on the right side has been removed for weight reduction and a chain wrapped around it to hold it in place.
Looking backwards at the sturdy...
Looking backwards at the sturdy rollcage from the inside, the tubes can be seen running down each side of the roof. The whole thing is held in place by a loop and horizontal bar attached to the stock frame.
A view of the floor shifter...
A view of the floor shifter and pedals. Notice the canted clutch pedal which probably allowed clearance with the brake.
The driver side of the bench...
The driver side of the bench seat was retained. Since this car is currently used in vintage racing activities, it’s equipped with modern seat belts.
The car carries a chicken-wire-type...
The car carries a chicken-wire-type screen instead of a windsheild and is supported by square tubular rod supports.
A chain and bungee cord hold...
A chain and bungee cord hold down the hood. It wasn’t the best arrangement as current owner Mike Swain found out. “At speed, the hood tends to bounce up about a half-inch,” Swain explained.
The engine is a pretty-much-stock...
The engine is a pretty-much-stock ’59 292 truck engine. It carries a four-barrel Eldebrock carburetor and is capable of about 250 horsepower.
Notice that the back side...
Notice that the back side of the air cleaner, highjacked off of a Lincoln, was cut off to make it fit. It also let more air to enter from the back.
This photo shows the extra...
This photo shows the extra shock with a custom shock mount. All four corners have two shocks for a stiffer ride to hold the car level in the turns.
Since all the factory body...
Since all the factory body mounting was removed, this horizontal bar was installed to keep the fender in place.
This car sometimes ran in...
This car sometimes ran in Figure 8 races. Driver protection against a T-bone was provided with this metal plate on the driver-side door. Good idea! To qualify for the Figure 8 feature, it was necessary to run an oval heat race.
A view of the square tubing...
A view of the square tubing supports on the rear window. There was no glass as all had been removed per the rules of the day. It was thought that the aerodynamics were improved since the air could flow cleanly through the interior. No spoiler to be found here either.
When running on a Figure 8...
When running on a Figure 8 course, it was necessary to turn the car both left and right. For that reason, it was necessary to introduce a negative camber on the right front wheel, which you certainly can see from this view. Both tires were originally cambered. But the owner wanted to drive it on ovals, so he straightened up the left front tire, which can be seen in the photo below.
The original sheetmetal scallop...
The original sheetmetal scallop which was a part of the ’54 Ford design is still in place on the rear quarter. A ‘Stock Car,’ remember. You can also see a better view of the driver-side steel plate in this shot.
All the locking mechanism...
All the locking mechanism was removed from the rear deck. For quick entry into the trunk, all that was required was the removal of a bungee cord.
A side view shows the beefy...
A side view shows the beefy modified Mercury bumper this vintage Ford carries. Looks like it could do some sizable bumping on the track.
When something was removed...
When something was removed from the stock factory body, it was necessary to cover the hole. It was neatly done with riveted patches as shown here.
One great-looking Ford st...
One great-looking Ford stocker.