C Body Dirt Track Car?

[65 Monaco 413]

Okay guys here's one I bet you don't get asked everyday. I have a complete running/yard driving 65 big block Monaco that is never going to be titled or on the street. I have two choices other than just parting it out: Local 1/8 mile drag strip less than an hour from home so I could play with it there as a bracket car. We also have a local dirt track about 15 minutes from home that runs a vintage class just for fun and trophies. Has anybody on here ever seen or built a c-body for the dirt? I'm not a racer (thinking too heavy/too long/bb won't work) but I do remember seeing a couple of A's and B's at dirt tracks years ago. Thanks for any advice.

 

[carguy300]

I was watching you tube spectators races, small round track. Pairs drag racing one lap or multipe cars 10 laps on black top. Crown vic won one of them. Several full size old school cars. What ever works for you! In texas they used to have, run what ya brung night. Its all fun.

 

[MONC440]

It depends on what you want to do and how long you want to keep the car together. Drag racing you probably will not wreck your car, you will definitely destroy your car on dirt track it is just a matter of time. That timeframe will probably be shorter if you’re not experienced racing on dirt.

 

[Margos Dezirian]

Okay guys here's one I bet you don't get asked everyday. I have a complete running/yard driving 65 big block Monaco that is never going to be titled or on the street. I have two choices other than just parting it out: Local 1/8 mile drag strip less than an hour from home so I could play with it there as a bracket car. We also have a local dirt track about 15 minutes from home that runs a vintage class just for fun and trophies. Has anybody on here ever seen or built a c-body for the dirt? I'm not a racer (thinking too heavy/too long/bb won't work) but I do remember seeing a couple of A's and B's at dirt tracks years ago. Thanks for any advice.

In the early 90s I had a 65 Newport Enduro car. I was wrecked bad in the first race. Very fun though.

 

[CBODY67]

in EITHER case, sell the parts you don't need to those that do need them for their cars' restorations/refurbs.

To me, the Enduro class would be better than normal "dirt" racing. That class is about everybody getting to the finish line, but not specifically taking others out in the process.

I'd be more inclined toward the drag racing, though, as it is not designed to destroy the car in the process. Wrecks are NOT desired, for example. Might be a way to maximize the car's ultimate life that way! Drag racing can be easier on YOUR body, too!

Your car, your money, your dreams,
CBODY67

 

[MONC440]

I was wrecked bad in the first race.

My point exactly! If you drag race it you can have fun with it and probably keep it in one piece. After your done you could still sell it for more than scrap.

 

[Big_John]

To me, the Enduro class would be better than normal "dirt" racing. That class is about everybody getting to the finish line, but not specifically taking others out in the process.

My oldest son tried his hand at Enduro racing. Since his car came from his father in law (now ex) and the car had won the series the year before, it was like the car had a target on it. On the second lap, they knocked the rear out of the car. After the repairs, the next time at the track they got more serious and wrecked him on the first lap, destroying the car and his desire to dirt race.

So, from his experiences, I'd say it's also about making sure you make it to the finish line and not anyone else.

Okay guys here's one I bet you don't get asked everyday. I have a complete running/yard driving 65 big block Monaco that is never going to be titled or on the street. I have two choices other than just parting it out: Local 1/8 mile drag strip less than an hour from home so I could play with it there as a bracket car. We also have a local dirt track about 15 minutes from home that runs a vintage class just for fun and trophies. Has anybody on here ever seen or built a c-body for the dirt? I'm not a racer (thinking too heavy/too long/bb won't work) but I do remember seeing a couple of A's and B's at dirt tracks years ago. Thanks for any advice.

I'm in agreement about going drag racing. A novice can go out for an afternoon of drag racing and come back with a big smile. Less preparation, less safety gear, less cost (until you get serious about going fast that is).

 

[57fury440]

My 57 Plymouth (my avatar) was raced in a few Gas classes back in the mid-sixties to the early seventies. I ran it in B, C and D depending on which motor I had in it. It is now just a streetcar, but I doubt very much that I would still have it if I ran it on an oval track for that time period. The only bad accidents that I saw were with the professionals racing in the upper classes.

 

[65 Monaco 413]

Thanks for the replies folks; lightening it up a little, changing the rearend ratio and a couple of other things and taking it drag racing definitely seems like the more sensible choice. Maybe remove the interior, trim, console etc and trade or sell them to somebody who needs the stuff.

 

[Just Carbs]

I ran a 68 New Yorker sedan in the 1/4 mile.
I removed the doors, front/back glass, hood, grill, trunk, bumpers, seats, power steering, a/c, carpet, glove box.
Added 3.91 posi pumpkin, slicks, shift kit, side dump exhaust, 3000 stall converter, worn out front shocks. Nothing else. No headers.
Did crank the front torsion bars up to the max.
Did beat the tunnel to raise the engine a few inches.
Did weld on some driver door bars. Kept the factory gas tank.
It ran like your stock generic 440/455/454 big block intermediate. About 13.5

 

[Timmayy]

A couple years ago my wife and I took a weekend getaway up to northern Maine. At a hotel I saw a commercial for Winterport 1/8 mile Dragway. A cool little strip. They were running a "run what you brung" day. This guy had an old mid 70s Impala 4 door. Probably just a stock 350 2 barrel. He had his kid with him, maybe 12-13 years old in the passenger seat. They both had their helmets and ran down the track. They barely hit 50-60mph but that kid had a blast. They did multiple runs throughout the day. That seems like more fun than anything.

 

[carguy300]

I ran a 68 New Yorker sedan in the 1/4 mile.
I removed the doors, front/back glass, hood, grill, trunk, bumpers, seats, power steering, a/c, carpet, glove box.
Added 3.91 posi pumpkin, slicks, shift kit, side dump exhaust, 3000 stall converter, worn out front shocks. Nothing else. No headers.
Did crank the front torsion bars up to the max.
Did beat the tunnel to raise the engine a few inches.
Did weld on some driver door bars. Kept the factory gas tank.
It ran like your stock generic 440/455/454 big block intermediate. About 13.5

Would love to have seen that!!

 

[Just Carbs]

Would love to have seen that!!

It was ugly. Got lots of snickers. But frankly my dear..........Jimmy cracked corn.
Some of my friends were racing their late 60s muscle cars and I wanted to play to.
They were more than surprised that the old C body ran bumper to bumper with their 440 Six Pack Super Bees and Pontiac Judge and Hurst olds.
3.91 rear, slicks and 3000 stall work wonders for the first 60 feet. But no cam, too bad.