In a four part series Crabber 1967 details the amazing race of Joe Weatherly, one of NASCAR's greatest champions. Please follow Part I and Part II.
Joe Weatherly and the other Ford drivers must have been excited at the beginning of the 1957 season. The Ford drivers would have a new weapon, a supercharger.
In addition, the company had begun work for the upcoming season in the summer of 1956, so the Fords would be well prepared compared to the previous two seasons.
The 312 cubic inch supercharged Ford engine produced 325 horsepower, but was advertised at 300 to hold down customer demand, as the early superchargers were hand-made until McCulloch could get its production line running.
Restored 1957 Ford 312 'F' code engine shown as installed.
Ford intended the superchargers for use of the factory cars, even running single four barrel carburetor equipped 312-inch powered cars as back-up; while superchargers were not allowed by NASCAR in the convertible and short track divisions.
Mercury went with the 368-inch 335 horsepower engine originally used exclusively in Lincolns.
The horsepower race, which hit its peak about a decade later, was on. Chevrolet increased their engine size to 283-inches and added fuel injection for about 300 horsepower.
Pontiac began its efforts to rid its stodgy image with a 347 cubic inch engine making 325 horsepower. Oldsmobile offered a 371-inch engine making 325 horses.
However, when Kiekhaefer quit the Grand National series the heavy though powerful hemi-powered Chryslers were gone.
18 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete