Under the flip-up nose (which...
Under the flip-up nose (which was modified back in the day for a circa 1972 grille divider) is a functional 480-inch Gen II Hemi. Since the car was bought as a roller, the Rands dug deep into the vintage parts sources for pieces like the Vertex magneto, Hilborn pump and injectors.
Because the car was gas-powered, Mr. Hurst stuck with the B&M-developed Clutchflite longer than many others did. The unit was not equal to what was needed in fuel racing, or the high-rpm powerband in Pro Stock, but was reliable in the injected gas environment. It was still in the car, which had survived after being sold to a racer named Brian Wall in Canada, who raced it very limitedly. He in turn sold it to Jack Schiffer, who never put it down the track. This is who the Rands bought it from.
Like several other projects the Rands have done, friend Fred Engelhart played a big role in getting it back in shape, chasing down the parts needed to complete the new engine and replacing small things missing on the car. The main thing was to try to maintain as much originality as possible, an effort which was assisted when Fred himself found some period pieces in his personal parts stash.
Inside the office, the car...
Inside the office, the car is well-laid out but all business—beautiful red anodized tinwork, custom plexi windows, a laid back driver seat, a matching passenger-side
When Clark and his wife brought it to the Mopars in the Park show in Minnesota, a perfect day let us flashback to the early '70s, when the final embers of the gasser wars glowed as the rising professionalism of drag racing.
Fast Facts
'70 Plymouth 'Cuda A/GS survivor racecar
Clark and Colleen Rand
Fairgrove, Missouri
Mopar Power
- Engine: By the time he built this car, Fred Hurst had a very scienced-out gas engine package, using a Hilborn-injected 480-inch Hemi pumped up by a 1/2-inch Moldex stroker crankshaft. The Rands rebuild to replace the long-gone original used similar pieces, including a Crane camshaft, anodized Hilborn injectors, TRW pistons, Hooker headers, and a Vertex magneto.
- Transmission: Still in the tunnel was a circa-1970s B&M Clutchflite transmission, which used a clutch unit in place of the torque converter. Since Clark does not intend to send the rare beast down to trip the lights fantastic, it was left completely intact.
- Rear: Like the transmission, the old Dana 60 is still under the car.
Sure Grip
- Suspension: Fred Hurst stuck with a good thing when he found it; the frame was actually modified from the original Willys chassis by Jim Thorpe and was beneath several of his cars. The front axle is sprung ala the gasser, with ladder bars and Monroe air shocks.
- Brakes: Rear only and parachute.
- Wheels/Tires: American rims with original Firestone drag slicks.
High Impact
- Paint/Body: This is a steel car, and the paint applied by artisans Bill "Short Round' Rowell and Jim 'Dauber' Farr is a deep Candle Apple Red lacquer with cool Plymouth logos visible in bright light.
- Interior: This is a racecar, and it is Spartan but stylish. Tinwork is augmented by fiberglass seats and Stewart-Warner gauges.