Return of a Big Hitter.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 12, 15 10:53 pm

Well, I guess it’s time to start a thread on this piece of Mopar recent history.

I have always loved this car in terms of its stance, and sheer performance brutality, it seemed to me it was a long time ahead of the competition.

However, I never for one moment dreamed that I would own it.

For those of you who do not know the car, Duncan “Cannonball” Watts campaigned the car with a 572 ci “Conversion” Hemi with a manual valve-bodied A727 backed up by a Dana 60 with 4.56:1 gears and a Spool. It sported Susperstock springs.

It ran hard and strong and (with a lot of rpm) managed a 9.44 pass at around 142mph. Pretty much a full weight car too with a 6 point cage. And Wilwood brakes, Fuel cell, etc.

I have seen the car perform so impressively at Santa Pod and sadly saw the motor lunch itself at Shakey.

It had been performing strongly and I saw the car launch as I was pushing a car in the fire up lane right next to the action when I noticed the nose drop mid-track. At first I thought it had missed a gear but a conversation with Duncan revealed the motor had blown, and had done so catastrophically.

Boy! Do I know THAT feeling. I have lunched one of these and know the cost and heartache………..

Duncan got the car on a lift, pulled the motor and stripped it, and there is sat for several years while Duncan played with his many other toys….

My mate Roydon is restoring a 1970 Challenger and I contacted Duncan Watts to pick his brains on a couple of points in terms of rear suspension. One thing lead to another and we started discussing the old Bruiser.

To cut a short story even shorter, Duncan cut me a deal and I became the very proud owner of the Challenger – thanks Buddy!

To relatively new members of the club / board; they may not know my racing history and the fact that I rolled a 700bhp ’67 Dart at around 125mph at Santa Pod, thereby becoming a fully paid up member of the Geof Hauser Upside-down club.

Needless to say, as the car will see some track action (whilst being road legal), I had a conversation with my wife and the result was the clear need to upgrade the cage.

Duncan very kindly transported the car to Pete Smith (Chassis Tech Race Cars in Cheshire - http://www.chassistecracecars.com) and Pete has set about refreshing the safety aspects of the car.

I have known Pete (Bedford) for several years and was always impressed with his work and enthusiasm and liking for “Old School” style cars and is prepared to work with a dinosaur like me…..thanks Pete, big respect!

So, the “Journey” has begun.

The biggest single problem for me at this stage is that fact that Duncan had thought of pretty much every trick in the book in terms of suspension, performance, chassis work, etc; and I am struggling to find ways to improve the fundamentals of the car.

I would hate the car to come back out and go SLOWER!!!! At this stage that is a distinct possibility……………

More to follow…

..and I am still thinking of a name for the car (Blue has given me a few tips and pointers for a Period Colour scheme but that will have to wait for while due to the pennies...) Any other ideas on a name for the car would be appreciated, thanks!!!!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 12, 15 11:01 pm

Tough as a bulldog chewing a wasp....

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Thu Mar 12, 15 11:05 pm

Your not scared of a project Pete ! How many you got going now ?

Good on you mate. Loving the old school approach and period colours and name.
Look forward to what is going to be a great thread.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 12, 15 11:06 pm

Thanks, Mossy!

I do like a good project - I'm helping out re-thatching the cottage next month!!!!

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Thu Mar 12, 15 11:11 pm

Pete wrote:Thanks, Mossy!

I do like a good project - I'm helping out re-thatching the cottage next month!!!!

Now I'd find thatching very interesting. Please let me know how it goes.

Back to thread. Name. " The Wise Man's Challenge "

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 12, 15 11:24 pm

Thanks Mossy.
I DO realise that I am VERY lucky, and sincere thanks to Duncan and Pete Smith.

In reality this is my last build, but it is being carried out in the main by Pete (with some interference from me!!).

The motor will once again be a 572ci Combination Hemi and race A727.

This is being handled in the main by "Performance Unlimited" in York as they handled the claim with the "other" engine machine company when the Hemi lunched last time.

Unfortunately Dave has hurt his hand so he has put me in contact with another great guy who is restoring the heads and so on.......

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Fri Mar 13, 15 12:12 am

Very nice Pete

Challenging Times

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Fri Mar 13, 15 12:38 am

Goood luck pete

here you go,,

3,900lb with driver

superstock stock suspension,

dana rear 4,56 gears

29.5 / 10.5 /15" tire

1.429 60ft

6.090 116.72 1/8

9.442 146.53 quarter

1st finish

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Fri Mar 13, 15 12:49 am

Nice one Pete that's some car you have there, build of the year I recon, going to follow this.

As for a name, you've more or less already come up with it with the word brutality just needs a bit of fine tuning like.....

THE LEGENDARY BRUTAL DODGE.

I'm sure with your knowledge you will do the car proud and bring it back to its former glory.

cadboy · Post by **cadboy** » Fri Mar 13, 15 6:13 am

Interesting Pete and a good car too, nice to see her back.

Good luck

Charger · Post by **Charger** » Fri Mar 13, 15 7:36 am

nice one Pete

good luck with it all

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Mar 13, 15 7:47 am

Thanks for the kind words, guys and thanks to Duncan for setting the record (and the benchmark) straight.

Definitely a quick car considering no Nitrous, etc.....

I will try to keep this thread active for a bit of fun, and Pete is sending me pictures so I can update accordingly.

In terms of names, I have done a bit of research and there are some good film titles from that era that I could use.

Apart from that, and given my track record I have come up with a few other Contenders>

"High Roller"

"Damage Case" - taking into account of my due regard for Motorhead.

At the end of the day the Jury is still out....

However, in my mind I always think of it as "BMF"

Cheers

Pete

autofetish · Post by **autofetish** » Fri Mar 13, 15 7:57 am

Brilliant real monster of a car

Shouldn't it be called

The last stand ......

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Mar 13, 15 8:04 am

autofetish wrote: ....Shouldn't it be called........The last stand ......

Very "General Custer", 'Fettish

Like it....keep 'em coming, thanks.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Mar 13, 15 8:10 am

mopar_mark wrote:Very nice Pete

Challenging Times

Nice one Mark, but a bit too close to a certain Mr Wood's car name

For me "Vanishing Pint" would be nearer the mark..........