42-48 Cover Feature 12/17/13 8:48 AM Page 46
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late 1940s Lakesters left today, and some of them still run," the Wallington, CT, native explained. The engine was built to live with a late 1980s French flathead block. "They were cast with a high nickel content which really made it a rock." A drag racer, Sangiovanni echoed the common opinion that speed runs are a different animal. "With the longer runs, the tune-up is very important and I work hard to get the same pressure on each of the eight cylinders. "The goal was to enter the speed trap at about 6400 rpm. I put it into third gear shortly before hitting the trap. My best time is 171.89 mph," he exclaimed.
1971 Nova/540ci Blown BB A look at Ron Sangiovanni’s tip-tank Lakester as it rounds the airportbased track in at Wilmington, OH.
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