Vintage NASCAR

[C Body Bob]

Imagine being all that and not even being the famous one

You know when the Petty team split up in the mid 80's that did come up. I think Maurice made some kind of commit about doing a majority of the work & didnt feel finiacally rewarded for all the success they had had. Split up didnt last long. In a few years Maurice was right back at it after he found out he was'nt that good at being a music manager. He built the first Dodge engines for the Petty Nascar truck with Jimmy Hensely driving. He complained a lot about how far Dodge had fallen behind in the 15 plus years they where out of the sport. I remember him saying {were still using 1979 parts...nothing has changed} Made Dodge step up & develop X blocks & W5 &W9 heads which lead to the R5P6 & P7 engines

 

[C Body Bob]

Richard leaves

Richard left Petty Enterprises after the end of the 84 season (going off memory) after the dust up that happened at Charlotte. Maurice took the blame all by himself & it ate on him. So Richard took the Pontiac money & the #43 to Mike Curb racing (a California businessman & politician) Maurice took the helm of Petty enterprises. The team had been in decline for a few years anyway. Kyle had a deal with the Wood Brothers. So Maurice was on his own. With no sponsor & unhappy Pontiac had left he fielded this Ford T bird & hired veteran Dick Brooks to drive. No help from Ford. They didnt last long & Maurice clossed up the famous shop. Discusted with the way things had gone. He took what money he had & found an aspiring country music group & backed them. That didnt work so well either. Richard was having his problems too. No longer in his prime. And he & Curb where not a good fit. Richard came back after i think 2 years. Bringing Pontiac & STP's money with him. If you look close you can see Petty Enterprises on the upper quarter (sail panel) on the T bird. The car was fast at Daytona if I remember correctly. Sorry for the Ford pics Joey, but I felt this part of the story needed to be told

 

[C Body Bob]

Rockingham 1972

I was there. In the infield having a blast. I spent most of the race standing right behind Petty's pit. Back then the pits weren't very crowed. I got pretty close. Was probably in the way LoL

 

[C Body Bob]

Sam McQuaig

Driving the K & K Insurance Charger. 1968 Daytona

 

[C Body Bob]

1971

STP is onboard & the car is all blue

 

[C Body Bob]

Now it's Red.

Andy Granitelli the President of STP wanted the car red. The Pettys wanted to stay with their traditional blue. At loggerheads the deal almost fell through ....Untill someone decided to compromise. Red down the sides. Blue on the top. Here the team shows off the new colors late in the 71 season. I don't see Maurice in this pic. He was probably in the Dyno room punishing a Hemi

 

[C Body Bob]

Add some black

I have no idea why they painted the black section down the hood, but I remember this. They only did this in the 72 season

 

[Rwc]

Bob, just a theory and I have nothing to back it up, but that paint job is ALL about optics. If you really look that plymouth end to tail nothing factory going on. Looks narrow and maybe it sweeps in just past the fenders. And look at the window sill in the door.
All right, going to take my med now.

I have no idea why they painted the black section down the hood, but I remember this. They only did this in the 72 season

 

[C Body Bob]

Yes that's a good point. They did some trickery & still do for that matter

 

[C Body Bob]

Henley Grey

Charger

 

[C Body Bob]

Woody Fisher

This car was built new in 1977 for owner Woody Fisher by Petty Enterprises.

 

[C Body Bob]

David & Larry

David Pearson in the #6, Larry Frake in the #9. Note the 406 CI on the hood

 

[C Body Bob]

David & Cotton

Cotton Owens talking with his driver David Pearson

 

[C Body Bob]

David in a big Dodge

Posing with his Cotton Owens 63 Dodge 880

 

[C Body Bob]

David & the Coronet

And a few years later a Coronet

 

[C Body Bob]

Johnny Benson Sr.

1973 Sr.'s only cup start. His son would race for Roush Racing in cup

 

[C Body Bob]

Ferrell Harris

Alabama short track ace. Dirt or asphalt. Didn't matter Ferrell could wheel a short track car in a bull ring. I have a very interesting & historical story about Ferrell that I personally witnessed if you guys care to hear it. This pic is from 1975

 

[Stormer]

Great thread, love it.

 

[71Newp]

I am surprised by how many "Big Name" sponsors were on some fenders in the 70's. K-mart, Pizza Hut and now Stroh's. Big names that were probably local franchisees that paid very little money most likely due to the regional nature of the sport at that time?. I vote in favor of the Ferrell Harris story!

 

[C Body Bob]

I am surprised by how many "Big Name" sponsors were on some fenders in the 70's. K-mart, Pizza Hut and now Stroh's. Big names that were probably local franchisees that paid very little money most likely due to the regional nature of the sport at that time?. I vote in favor of the Ferrell Harris story!

Yes I am too. I guess I had forgotten that. Racing was cheap back then compared to today. I guess I can tell the story about Ferrell. Didn't want to bore you guys with too many of my stories