1972 Heavy Chevy A Love Story
1972 Heavy Chevy
By Tanya Manus | Photos by Cliff Avenue Upholstery and Restoration
One of the great loves of Bruce Schumacher’s life is his 1972 Heavy Chevy.
He sacrificed the car once for love when he sold it to buy an engagement ring, which turned out to be a wise investment. Bruce and his wife, Della, are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary this year.
Yet, Bruce missed the 1972 Heavy Chevy, which was his very first car. Three years after he sold it, Bruce tracked down its owner and bought back his beloved car.
“It’s my first baby. It’s a member of the family,” Bruce explains. “I bought it from the local Chevy dealer in Hoven in August of 1976 when I was a junior in high school. It was a couple of years old. I saw it sitting there one day and I was able to strike a deal on it and bought it.”
Heavy Chevys were manufactured in 1971 and 1972. Only 9,508 were produced in 1972. According to hemmings.com, the cars were manufactured for drivers like Bruce. The Heavy Chevy Chevelle was
billed as being “Heavy on looks and light on price” for young, single drivers who wanted a performance car at an economy price. “The Heavy Chevys were also more affordable to insure,” Bruce notes.
and specific wheels and a specific stripe package to that particular model, and they only made them in 1971 and 1972,” Bruce adds.
Bruce drove his 1972 Heavy Chevy in high school, and while he attended Lake Area Technical College in Watertown. What Bruce loved about the car then and now is its reliability.
“It never let me down, and I kind of got a soft spot in my heart for it,” Bruce smiles. “It’s been trouble free. It’s never, ever let me down. Even back in my school days when I had to travel down less than ideal roads, it never broke down. It never left me stranded. It would always start. It would always get me where I needed to go.”
“It was built with a smaller engine, but it had similar body parts onto it, and it had a certain option package where it came with the super sport hood
“When you have something in your life that’s dependable, you develop a fondness for it,” Bruce states.
By the time Bruce bought back the car, it was in need of a lot of work, he says, and he tinkered with it over the years.
“Two years ago, after the kids were raised and on their own and life slowed down a bit, I was able to get it professionally restored,” Bruce says.
“All my life I got things because I had to. Now I got this (restoration) done because I wanted to,” Bruce explains.
Bruce, originally from Gettysburg, SD, entrusted the restoration of his car to Cliff Avenue Upholstery and Restoration in Tea. Cliff Avenue Upholstery and Restoration has more than 45 years of experience in high-end vehicle restoration.
“When you have something in your life that’s dependable, you develop a fondness for it,” Bruce states.
Before Bruce took his car to the experts at Cliff Avenue, he’d been collecting original parts for it in preparation for eventually having it restored.
Cliff Avenue’s expert team stripped Bruce’s car down to its frame. The restoration process has taken more than a year, and it will be completed after a ceramic coating is applied to the finish to protect it.
“They completely disassembled the car right down to the bare frame and completely redid all the components,” Bruce notes. “It was a nut-and-bolt restoration. I don’t think there was a stone unturned.”
The 1972 Heavy Chevy has been restored back to its original condition, including the engine, drive train, wheels, and the castings on the engine. The seat covers, headliner and dash were replaced. The flooring and door panels are the same ones that have been in Bruce’s car from the beginning.
“The door panels were unique to the Heavy Chevy model. The 1972s have a real wood insert in them and the 1971 had a white pearl insert in them,” Bruce shares.
“What Cliff Avenue did is above and beyond,” Bruce proclaims. “It’s better than new. They’re really good
about paying attention to detail. I’ve got to give them kudos.”
Though Bruce is looking forward to having his car home again, he’s in no hurry.
“It takes what it takes,” he says of the restoration process. “It’s like waiting to take a new baby home from the hospital, but you can’t rush perfection.”
The 1972 Heavy Chevy is one of two prized cars the Schumachers own. Bruce bought Della her dream car, a 2010 Camaro, for the couple’s 40th anniversary in 2020. When he and Della retire, they hope to take their Camaro and Heavy Chevy to car shows in the region.
While some car aficionados amass vehicles by the dozens, there’s only one other car Bruce dreams about that would make his collection complete.
“I do hope at some point to find a 1971 Heavy Chevy so I have one of each,” Bruce adds. “I’m building my retirement hobby shop, so I’ll have a heated place to keep the 1972 Heavy Chevy in. If I had a chance to get the 1971, I’d sure give it a good home.”
Let us build the car of your dreams! Visit us at www. cliffave.com or call 605-335-6066 to find out more.
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THE EXTRA MILE Expectations
Higher. Faster. Longer. These are aspects of engine building that are on the forefront of conversations these days. Higher horsepower is almost always our customer’s first desire when starting an engine package. To make an engine better is what we are in business for, to take an engine and increase the power and response so our customers can enjoy their build for years to come.
There are many videos circulating of documented power achievements, with high output options that romance us in the highest way. With so many options to build greater power it can be very exciting to desire these high horsepower options. Yet seldom does anyone in these videos discuss the total cost or the upkeep necessary for these exotic engine
combinations. Plus, it is not explained that the tuning window is very narrow and must be exact or critical engine damage will occur. In addition, many do not explain the drivetrain necessity to get the added power curve to the ground in a safe and controlled way. Often the truth of the combination requirements and cost can be exhausting and not desirable.
The truth of the matter is that when increasing power and torque output in an engine, there must be actions taken to strengthen the components of the engine to survive the added pressure and abuse that can occur. Installing stronger components made to withstand the extra strain of the added power in the engine can do this. It is possible to not install the stronger components needed, yet it is the
"The truth of the matter is that when increasing power and torque output in an engine, there must be actions taken to strengthen the components of the engine to survive the added pressure and abuse that can occur."
correct choice to build on the stronger side. Also, when building an engine on the stronger side you can ensure that the longevity of the engine will increase as well.
On the other side of the custom engine building business is the customer who desires just a “freshen up.” The customer will explain that they will not be racing it or running it hard so they would desire a lower cost engine combination. When we are interviewing our customer to ensure they will receive the proper engine for their use, we explain that we will need to inspect and measure all components to examine the wear that has occurred. You see, engines wear as they run, and some wear faster than others. Engines that have had good tune ups and proper maintenance will wear slower than the engine that has seen harder life and less maintenance, yet all engines will wear.
In our business we are provided with specific engine wear
parameters and these are guidelines that we follow to ensure fewer problems in the life of the engine build. Sometimes one would desire to just get the engine running again, and some needed machine processes may be denied. When the engine is finished, it will most likely run pretty well at first, and as the vehicle gets driven longer and for more miles and it will exceed the limitations of the engineered build and then fail. This causes disappointment and added cost to remove the engine and redo a more extensive repair most likely to correct the previously denied aspects of the build.
With over 40 years of engine building experience and knowledge, you can be assured that we are on your side, explaining why we need to perform processes and install specialized components. We are constantly exploring and improving our processes to give our customers the engine that they desire and deserve. Nothing but our best for our customer, which is why we always go the Extra Mile.
FA. S. T. . R acing: Muscle Cars , S t seriTteer
By Sgt. Travis Olsen
If you haven’t checked out the F.A.S.T. Racing series, you need to. The acronym is “Factory Appearing Stock Tire.” Long story short, just as it sounds, these are muscle-cars competing on the quarter mile on original style tires. Make no mistake, they are by no means stock cars, but they look the part, short of added safety equipment. And without the use of slicks, some of them are cracking off sub- 10 second quarter mile times, north of 140 MPH, on skinny bias ply tires. Neat stuff.
Tires in the street machine world are always a big topic. Smalltire cars, tubbed big-tire cars, Drag-Radials, Bias-Plys, the options for your build and the style you want for your car are endless. Frankly, you will get ten different answers from nine different people on the topic at any drag strip or car-meet you go to on what you can or should run. Some people like the pro-street look, while others like the sleeper look. As of late, I am a fan of running a car at the dragstrip in street form. Pump gas, street tires and mufflers. Maybe I am just getting short on time or too lazy to switch things up for the dragstrip, but I like to know how my car can perform in street-legal trim.
I will share with you South Dakota Law and what it states, for you to interpret. When it comes to tires, there are several laws
and many apply to various things outside the scope of our discussion here, such as chains, studded tires, semi-truck tires and more, but for performance passenger cars this is the one we will focus on today.
SDCL 32-19-13 states: “Operation with cut or worn tire as misdemeanor--Minimum tread."
No person may operate on the public highways of this state a licensed motor vehicle which has a mounted tire having a cut into the fabric, or worn so that the fabric is visible, having knots or bulges in the sidewall or tread, or having a minimum tread depth less than two thirty-seconds of an inch on any two adjacent tread grooves. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
Laws in other states outside South Dakota may vary. I encourage you to conduct your own research on what you can or should run on your car, but at least here you can see what the law says for yourself. Unfortunately, drag slicks do not comply with South Dakota law and, realistically, from a safety perspective, in the chance that your beloved street machine sees adverse weather or road conditions, it can quickly become a dangerous situation.
Do you have a traffic safety question?
Please email heather@michelscom.com to submit your inquiry and Sgt. Travis Olsen will offer an explanation in his monthly column.
Tires in the street machine world are always a big topic. Small-tire cars, tubbed big-tire cars, DragRadials, Bias-Plys, the options for your build and the style you want for your car are endless.
Tires in the street machine world are always a big topic. Small-tire cars, tubbed big-tire cars, DragRadials, Bias-Plys, the options for your build and the style you want for your car are endless.
with Graham Tire
By ArticleCity.com
Car batteries are regarded as one of the most important parts of a car. Aside from the fact that batteries provide your car the power to run, it’s also what aids you when you’re stuck in a predicament and need your car to start up quickly.
For tips on what you can do to maintain your car battery, check out this quick car battery maintenance guide.
Checking Battery Level
Ensure that the battery is clean and free of debris. If necessary, use a voltage meter to measure the remaining charge. Check the service manual on how to maintain your car battery level.
When necessary, give it a charge with the engine running. Finally, be sure to check the charge level often and replace the battery when it is no longer functioning. With regular battery maintenance, you’ll be able to ensure your car battery has a long-lasting life.
Identifying Corrosion Buildup
Open up the hood and locate any exposed metal on the battery. If present, look for any green or white discoloration, which can also be a sign of corrosion. To access the battery
A Quick Guide to Car Battery Maintenance
terminals, you will need to remove the battery coverings.
Once they are exposed, use a small mirror to observe any residue on the bottom of the posts. If corrosion is present, it will appear as a white, chalky powder.
Avoiding Overcharging
Overcharging can cause oxidation of the electrolyte and the resulting buildup of sediment, ultimately leading to reduced battery life. However, there are other dangers associated with overcharging your car battery.
Overcharging can cause rapid erosion of the plates in the battery, lead to the internal temperatures of the battery rising, and cause corrosion of the case and terminals. Check the battery regularly with a voltmeter to be sure it’s charging correctly.
Maintaining Battery Connections
To maintain battery connections, start by cleaning any corrosion or dirt off the terminals and posts using a damp cloth or baking soda and water paste. Then, using a wire brush, clean off any remaining corrosion on the posts.
Once your terminals and posts are clean, reattach them securely to the rest of the battery. Finally, wipe down the entire vehicle battery to clean off any dirt and grime that may be present, and re-screw any shaking terminals.
Storing Your Battery Properly
If a battery is stored for an extended period of time, it should be recharged every two or three months. When choosing a storage location, it should be in a cool, dry environment with good air circulation, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
It’s also important to keep the terminals clean and regularly check the battery’s charge and water levels. If a battery is maintained correctly, it will last for a long time, saving money, time, and hassle.
A Guide to Battery Maintenance
Regular car battery maintenance is very important in ensuring your car stays running at optimal levels. Make sure to regularly clean the terminals and check the level of the electrolyte.
By following these simple tips, you can detect and prevent any potential damage and extend the life of your car battery. If you’re still experiencing problems with your car battery, contact Graham Tire for expert advice and exceptional customer service.
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CALENDAR Events
15th Annual Show & Shine Open House
April 23, 2025 - WITCC, Parking Lot 2, Sioux City, IA facebook.com/share/1JGbb4kuYF
Cars and Coffee BH '24 Season Opener
April 26, 2025 - Black Hills, SD facebook.com/share/1BBCWwgW1n
Harrisburg High School 5th annual Car Showcase
May 3, 2025, from 4pm-7pm
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
May 11, 2025 - Brandon, SD husetsspeedway.com
Wednesday Eve Cruise, County Fair Food Store
May 14, 2025 - County Fair Food Store, Dell Rapids, IA facebook.com/share/16MAHYRMj7
Sound of Silence Tesla Rally
May 17-19, 2025 - Custer, SD facebook.com/BHTeslaRally
Granite Threshing Association Grill-Out Cruise Night
May 21, 2025 - Granite Threshing Bee (near Larchwood, IA) facebook.com/share/1BsgCDThV1
SHIFT Roll Up Car Show
May 24, 2025 - Brandon, SD www.facebook.com/share/1BKUUn7xVk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
2nd Annual Dewar Car Show
May 25, 2025 - Dewar, IA
J&L Harley Davidson Annual Cruise Night
May 28, 2025 - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1C2DTTaDPW
Lowdown Roundup 5th Annual Custom Car & Truck Show
May 30, 2025 - Waterworks Park - Des Moines, IA facebook.com/share/1A56v28v1i
Hub City Auto Parts Swap Meet & Car Show
May 31, 2025 - Brown County Fairgrounds - Aberdeen, SD facebook.com/share/1YEEsr5Y4J
4x4 101 and "All" Car Show
May 31, 2025 - Box Elder, SD facebook.com/share/19ygvfbBwW
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Show & Shine
May 31, 2025 - Sturgis, SD facebook.com/share/19MjjVVDGv
SF Angel Babies 5th Annual Motorcycle Memorial Ride
June 1, 2025 - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/events/367952796315508
Handy Man Home Remodeling Center Annual Cruise Night
June 4, 2025 - Handy Man Home Remodeling Center - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1BdoU8LeNG
Supercar Convention Center Show
June 4, 2025 - Deadwood Mountain Grand facebook.com/share/168nZdcW59
Summer Community Nights with Family Food Truck Nights
June 4, 2025 - Bandit Ball Field - Box Elder, SD facebook.com/share/1B6oL5Q8z4
Wheel Jam Truck Show
June 5-8, 2025– Huron, SD South Dakota State Fairgrounds wheeljamtruckshow.com
Rides of Our Youth Vintage Motorbike Show
June 7, 2025 - Sioux Falls, SD vjmc.org/calendar
5th Annual Remembering Ed Car & Bike Show
June 7, 2025 - Riverside Park, Sioux City, IA
Summer Blast, Our Saviors Lutheran Cruise Night
June 11, 2025 - Our Savior's Lutheran Church - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1DBj1kefYX
DSG 3rd Annual Car & Bike Show
June 13, 2025 - Watertown, SD facebook.com/share/18oBTpdnzL
Wild Bill Days
June 13-14, 2025 - Deadwood, SD deadwood.com/event/wild-bill-days
King Series Truck Show
June 13-15, 2025 - Lead, SD
Hwy. 20 Hotrod Association 19th Annual Plainview Car, Truck, Motorcycle, & Tractor Show
June 14, 2025, Plainview, NE
Center of the Nation Show and Shine
NAPA Auto Parts Belle Fourche
June 14, 2025, Belle Fourche, SD
Glass Doctor Annual Cruise Night, All Car Enthusiants Invited June 18, 2025 - Glass Doctor of Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1EHcfs1hYX
14th Annual Black Hills Camaro Rally
June 18th-21st in Spearfish, SD Blackhillscamarorally.com
Black Hills Mopars Car Show
June 21, 2025 - Liberty Superstores - Rapid City, SD facebook.com/share/16DhbUQFJe
June Bragging Rights on Thursday Nights
June 21, 2025 - Missouri River Associates, LLC. - Yankton, SD facebook.com/share/18WuerPTx1
Thunder Valley Dragways Drag Racing Legends
July 5, 2025 - Parker, SD thundervalleydragways.com
Quoin Bank Car Night
July 9, 2025 - Quoin Financial Bank - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/19BdFyqJz8
Trans Am Takeover STURGIS
July 11, 2025 - Gas Monkey - Sturgis, SD facebook.com/share/18nA62jCJW
Black Hills Corvette Classic
July 16-19, 2025 - Spearfish, SD blackhillscorvetteclassic.com
Emily's Hope Cruise Night at Autoland
July 16, 2025 - Autoland - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1EK8Srn1U3
Rad City: 80's & 90's Car Show
July 19, 2025 - Central States Fair - Rapid City, SD facebook.com/share/19AWuRkzDU
Nyberg's ACE 8th Annual HOT CLASSICS NIGHT
July 26, 2025 - Nyberg's ACE - Downtown Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1YNEzU2MeL
Canton Cruise Night
July 26, 2025 - Canton, SD facebook.com/share/18phLHyxza
July Bragging Rights On Thursday Nights
July 31, 2025 - Missouri River Associates, LLC. - Yankton, SD facebook.com/share/1KcJBTrpTB
2025 Black Hills Throwdown
Aug. 1, 2025 - Sturgis Buffalo Chip, SD facebook.com/share/1AAhaTqW5c
85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Aug. 1-10, 2025 - Sturgis, SD sturgis.com
Chasers 15th Annual Car Show!
Aug. 16, 2025 - Chasers - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/1G7WCvRAso
31st Annual Kool Deadwood Nites
Aug. 19-24, 2025 - Deadwood, SD deadwood.com/event/ kool-deadwood-nites
31st Annual Kool Deadwood Nites Classic Car Auction
Aug. 21, 2025 - Deadwood Mountain Grand, SD facebook.com/share/19JJ4xmeMh
Studebaker Car Show
Aug. 21, 2025 - Custer, SD facebook.com/share/1BVrQKdEyE
21st Annual Ribs Rods & Rock n' Roll! Sept. 5-6, 2025 - Vermillion, SD www.sdbbq.us
43rd Annual Black Hills Swap Meet
Sept. 7 ,2025 - Central States Fairgrounds - Rapid City, SD facebook.com/share/1BLFqEmujT
2025 Swap Meet
Sept. 7 ,2025 - Central States Fairgrounds - Rapid City, SD facebook.com/share/1BdR1TSUEr
Terry Koch's Race Shop, Cruise Night Fundraiser Sept. 10, 2025 - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/15KWNukk8q
Willy's Hobby Shop 2nd Annual Car Show! Sept. 13, 2025 - Sioux Falls, SD facebook.com/share/19jX3gZwZ7
Wednesday Cruise Night, Red Rock Bar & Grill
Sept. 17, 2025 - Brandon, SD facebook.com/share/15cz5mVudh
Straight Lines/O'Riley Custom Detailing Annual Cruise Night
Sept. 24, 2025 - Straight Lines Custom Restorations, Inc. - Tea, SD facebook.com/share/16FJEzZaPR
Fueling Ambition at Mitchell Technical College
By Natalie Frazier
Powersports and marine technicians are in high demand in both South Dakota and nationwide, as the popularity of recreational vehicles, boats, and other motorized outdoor equipment continues to grow.
These skilled professionals play a crucial role in maintaining and repairing the machines that power a thriving industry. Mitchell Technical College plays a role in keeping these fields growing being the only technical institution in South Dakota that houses a powersports-specific program.
Mitchell Tech’s Power Sports and Marine Technology program boasts a 100% job placement rate for students wishing to pursue careers in the service and repair of high-powered sports machines including ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, marine engines, and more!
Student Kaden Van Dyke chose Mitchell Technical College to stay close to the very thing he grew up with: a passion for powersports equipment and the ability to take care of his own recreational vehicles for miles to come. The specific nature of the program Mitchell Tech offers allowed him to stick with what he finds enjoyable.
“I chose Mitchell Tech because when I went to visit, they were very welcoming and seemed like a perfect fit. Mitchell Tech is the only tech school in South Dakota with a powersports program,” Kaden adds.
“I chose the Power Sports and Marine Technology program because I have grown up around small engines and various powersports equipment. But as everybody knows, having these fun pieces of equipment means that you must service and do the maintenance on
“My favorite part about the journey here at Mitchell Tech is the community. Everybody loves to have a good time. Another aspect is that you interact with customers just like you would if you are working for someone as a mechanic,” Van Dyke explains. “You really get the full experience at Mitchell Tech. I would recommend attending Mitchell Tech to everybody; it's a great environment.”
Van Dyke credits much of his success in the Power Sports and Marine Technology program at Mitchell Tech to the unwavering support from his instructors and the collaborative environment fostered among students. From the very beginning, Kaden's journey mirrored that of many typical students—navigating the challenges of a new and complex field—but with each passing day, he found himself growing both in knowledge and confidence.
“The teachers provide a variety of projects to practice and learn skills. When working on the projects, the instructors encourage the students to problem solve the task, but
“I chose Mitchell Tech because when I went to visit, they were very welcoming and seemed like a perfect fit. Mitchell Tech is the only tech school in South Dakota with a powersports program."
they also provide support along the way,” Van Dyke notes.
The hands-on approach of the program, coupled with the guidance of experienced instructors, allowed Kaden to develop his skills while also building relationships with fellow students. Together, they shared insights and worked through problems, making the learning experience feel more like a team effort. He adds that being able to build connections with customers like you would in a typical shop-like atmosphere has been influential.
After graduation, Kaden doesn't have his plans set in stone yet, but the horizon is bright, and he hopes to find a position at a small engines/ powersports shop in the Sioux Falls area.
Your Classic & High end car detailing professionals!
Tell us a little about the truck and why you chose it. What's your truck’s story?
Bruce Paulson’s dad bought this truck brand new. He has all the original paperwork from when his dad bought it new including the original receipt from July 25, 1950. Bruce bought it from his mom in 2022, after it had been sitting and had not run for 20 years. We worked on it for a few days and got it running and driving. Since then, he has done several things to make it more mechanically sound and more dependable, like brakes and shocks, and a new gas tank etc.
What’s your favorite part about your truck? Is there anything you would change or add?
Bruce’s favorite part is that it has been owned its entire life by our family.
OWNERS: Bruce and Lisa Paulson
What do you have planned for this truck?
Bruce hopes for it to stay in the family long after he is gone..
What’s an interesting fact or something people may not know about this ride?
The amount of work this truck used to do on the farm. It has hauled grain, feed, pulled silage wagons full of silage, ground feed and it was also used as the main family transportation for several years, too.
Additional Comments:
If this truck could talk, it would tell quite a story. From farm work, hunting, going to town for groceries, going to Forestburg, SD for a load of watermelon, and pulling a combine to Ft. Pierre, SD are just a few things Bruce remembers his dad telling him that he had done with it.
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025
• Poker Run benefitting Special Olympics South Dakota/Brookings
• Hands drawn at the Blue Goose in Volga at 4PM
• Registration from noon to 1PM at Nick's Hamburger Shop in downtown Brookings
• Downtown Drive In on the 300 block of 4th Street from 5PM to 9PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2025
• Registration at Pioneer Park from 9AM to 11:30AM
• Show-N-Shine from 11:30AM to 3PM
• Live music from 1PM to 3PM
• Participant plaques to first 200 entrants
Food vendors on site Sunday: Shorty's Hot Box & Backyard Grill Come on out to the park on the day of the show and enjoy being around other car, truck, and motorcycle enthusiasts.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
EVENTS recreational springs resort 11201 us-14a Lead, South Dakota 57754 605.584.1228 (to book lodging)
free inflatables for the kids all day 9 am toolbox talk with staff 1 - 3 pm king series caravan 3 - 5 pm meet the trucks 8 pm outdoor pavilion for music, dancing, & family games Camping, motel rooms and cabins available
By Bob Schmeichel
In 1962, automotive manufactures saw drag racing starting to get hot and heavy because of public demand, and realized if they wanted car sales to increase, they had to get involved. With the idea of drag racing on Sunday and selling on Monday, General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler divisions all jumped into the picture building their cars with high performance engines trying to out-do one another.
As years went on, smaller, intermediate sized cars with bigger engines evolved to satisfy the ever-growing need for speed. There were even a few independent performance companies who jumped in on the bandwagon to add their own touches to already brand-new, high-performance cars to make them run even faster. Baldwin/Motion and Yenko installed 427’s in Chevelles, Camaros, and Novas to make them competitive in what was called a Super Stock class then. I am sure COPO cars (Central Office Production Orders) evolved because of that class, too. Ford had already been racing their “Thunder Bolt” Fairlanes, which dominated much of the drag racing scene running low 11 second quarters through 1967.
Then, in February of 1968 a change came when the Chrysler Corporation decided to jump in with both feet in order to make their cars dominate drag racing in a new super stock class. It was a real commitment by the divisions as they each had to build a minimum number of cars, in order to be recognized as a true production built super stock race car. With an assigned production code of BO29 to Plymouth Barracudas,
70 were built. In the Dodge division, 80 Darts were built with a production code of LO23. The idea was to build an intermediate lighter weight car with both models to dominate the super stock class by using their base 426” /425 HP Hemi engine as a starting point with either a 4-speed manual transmission or a three speed 727 Torqueflite transmission behind it connected to a Dana 60 rear end with 4.88 gearing.
Even though the super stock class allowed some internal engine modifications to be done with different cam shafts as well as other small things, the hemi engine was already under rated with its 12 ½ to one compression and its cross ram 2/4-barrel carb set-up. But the real changes happened when these only partially assembled cars were sent to Hurst Performance in Madison Heights, Michigan for final assembly. The rear wheel well openings were enlarged to accommodate larger wheels and slicks. The doors were acid dipped to cut the weight in half as well as the elimination of the window crank assembly. Thinner side glass was added with a seat belt strap attached to it to raise and lower the door windows.
The cars came with a lot of deleted items right off the production line of the factories starting with all the seats, no console, no radio, no heater, no sound deadening or carpeting,
or arm rests, leaving the inside rather sparse once a couple bucket seats out of a Dodge A100 van that were added. Anything deemed unnecessary at the drag strip was eliminated, which included the outside rearview mirrors. When it came to the front of the car, the sheet metal hood and front fenders were replaced with lighter weight fiberglass replicas. The hood had an oversized hood scoop to help both cool and feed the deep breathing hemi engine. The front bumper was lightened, too, having it stamped out of .040 sheet metal and then chrome plated. Before the assembled cars were shipped, grey primer was sprayed onto the metal part of the body and the front fiberglass pieces were left in their black gel coat finish which is the way they looked when they arrived at the dealerships to pass off on to the new owners weighing in right at 3,000 pounds. This was like 500 pounds lighter than the same car with a full interior powered by a 440.
Clint Brunner was a teenager in the 80’/90’s, and while being a Mopar fan, he always noticed these older specially built 1968 Darts and Barracudas dominating drag racing for years, running easy 10 second and sometimes getting into the 9 second quarter mile times. He thought someday he would have one with a goal of making it run faster. Clint was fortunate enough to be able to purchase an original LO23 1968 Dart in February of 2017 from Jim Keyes who was the second owner since it was new. The car had been painted a couple times in addition to the rear end narrowed up a bit more and had larger wheel tubs installed for bigger slicks other than what Hurst Performance had done with their original modifications.
The only other thing added to the car were wheelie bars and special drag shocks. After finally having the car delivered to his home by the owner, with the idea always fresh in his mind about making it go faster, Clint pulled the original super stock 426 engine and set it aside for safe keeping and posterity. Clint then connected with Tim Banning of “For Hemi’s Only” to build him an all-aluminum 604” stroker engine, a torque monster engine that made big power while being pretty maintenance free. While the engine was being built, Clint had the paint scuffed up brought it back to the way it appeared when it was shipped from the factory, that being primer grey with a black front end.
With the new engine in place today while still being broke in, Clint has a little bit of a learning curve going on with re-jetting the period correct Holley carbs for maximum feed and mentioned a couple of ignition changes he is going to try. So far today he has run a 9.07 at 147 mph. So, his goal of going faster and dipping into the 8’s at 150 mph is reachable! Hang in there, buddy as it is just a matter of becoming one with the car that time will give you!
A farm boy from Salem, Bob’s family moved to Sioux Falls when he was 12 years old. After graduation from Washington High School, he attended USD where he majored in Commercial Art. A lifelong auto and art enthusiast, Bob wanted to combine his passions into a career. A self-taught mechanic, bodywork, welder and painter, he worked in the industry for seven years. He later went to work for Horner Waldorf Box Company, where he worked for the next 33 years, retiring as Package Design Manager for Smurfit Stone Container. Bob has built dozens of street rods over the years, doing everything except the upholstery work. Bob started the Great Plains Street Rodders Car Club in 1985 and today the club has over 340 members. You can see more of Bob’s paintings and car features on the club’s website: www.greatplainsstreetrodders.com.
ASK THE MOTOR MEDICS®
TUNE-IN AND TUNE-UP!®
Dear Motor Medics,
I am looking to buy a small SUV like a Ford Escape or a Chevy Trax or similar or possibly a slightly larger model like the Explorer. I have heard that there may be concerns with the turbo engines failing earlier than expected and I don’t want to get stuck with an expensive repair. What are your thoughts on these engines and the vehicles overall?
Thank you.
Chase in Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Motor Medics,
Hello guys. I never miss your show and a couple of weeks ago you talked about getting a Dodge Challenger out of storage. The mom who called for her son in the Navy wanted to have it ready for him after two years of storage. I, too, have a stored vehicle. I put away my 2010 Mustang with a V8 five years ago with a full tank of gas and fuel stabilizer and left it in an uncontrolled storage unit. What should I be looking at doing? The tires are all flat as well.
Dear Chase,
We work on a number of these vehicles in our own shop and overall, they are pretty good, but there are several things to think about. Due to the small engine size on the smaller SUVs, they tend to work harder. When they get out on the highway with a load or get driven hard in town the engines can wear faster and more so if you don’t maintain the oil system with regular oil changes, you are asking for trouble. Regular changes do not mean following the dash indicator. These engines prefer three months or 3,000-mile changes. The longer change intervals can lead to oil breakdown and early wear. We have replaced a number of turbos on these cars that all failed due to oil system issues. The larger Explorer with the Eco boost has a lot more engine to move the vehicle and can even be a very capable tow vehicle, but you also need to maintain the oil systems to keep them running as they should be.
Take care, The Motor Medics.
25362 Hwy. 11, Garretson, SD 605-594-4181 or 888-200-7562 www.nordstromsauto.com
Take care, The Motor Medics
Dear Ronald,
Thank you. Ronald in Fargo, North Dakota
The longer you store a car the more that needs to be done when it is finally taken out and put back into service. You mentioned tires that are flat. If those tires are cracked, they should be replaced. Also check the date on them and again, replace them if needed. Even with the fuel stabilizer the fuel may have turned bad. If so, you will need to have it replaced and use a fuel system additive to clean up the system. You can also plan on a new battery for sure. Check for any rodent damage and make sure there are no leaks paying close attention to the brakes. We also recommend running the starter with an override tool to build oil pressure before starting it. Make sure you consult with your local hands-on mechanic, too, for more information.
Take care, The Motor Medics
with The Motor Medics ® Shannon Nordstrom, Russ “The Super Tech” Evans, and Chris Carter From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Henry J custom interior