1962 Specs ?

D

Dexter the Dog

Guest
New to the forum...
Just bought a 1962 Pontiac with the intention of building a (streetable) tribute car to "Fireball Roberts" #22
Looking for specs on roll cages (if any) and other things from the day. Have a few photos of a museum car from the internet and would like to know the whereabouts of that one if anyone knows.
Thanks in advance. Any help is appreciated.
 
No idea Dexter but someone here will know for sure . Welcome to the forum .
 
You probably are already aware of this but:

-Be aware of the safety issues involving using roll bars on a street car. Most likely you will not drive on the street wearing a helmet. I have read of at least one case were a person received brain damage this way, their unprotected head struck the cage.
Be sure there is an adequate distance from anyone's head to roll bars. Padding will help, but it is still a solid object.
If you drive with a cage, a good current racing seat and 5 point harness is probably in order.

-Law enforcement may suspect you of street racing.

-Your insurance company may be free not to cover personal injuries, especially if it because a body (part) struck the cage.

- The Weatherly images are probably best to keep your doors and windows functional. The current type door bars would probably make it impossible.
 
If your reffering to the 1962 Gold over Black Catalina built by Smokey Yunick and sponsored by Stephens Pontiac of Daytona it was destroyed several years back. There are a couple replica cars out there one of which shows up every year at the Spring Daytona car show. Exterior wise it's a pretty good copy done mostly from old photographs, the interior is a basic representation of the cars at that time and is missing some Smokey inovations, I don't have the current owners name I'll see what I can find.
 
Greg said:
-Be aware of the safety issues involving using roll bars on a street car. Most likely you will not drive on the street wearing a helmet. I have read of at least one case were a person received brain damage this way, their unprotected head struck the cage.

Be sure there is an adequate distance from anyone's head to roll bars. Padding will help, but it is still a solid object.
If you drive with a cage, a good current racing seat and 5 point harness is probably in order.

-Law enforcement may suspect you of street racing.

-Your insurance company may be free not to cover personal injuries, especially if it because a body (part) struck the cage.

- The Weatherly images are probably best to keep your doors and windows functional. The current type door bars would probably make it impossible.
Click to expand...

Greg said:
Note the following linked photos are of Joe Weatherly's fatal crash in 64.
They are not as shocking, or as horrific as some, but if you are sensitive be advised.


The photos demonstrate how primitive the cages were in the early 60s
Click to expand...

The sad fact of the matter, is that the general cage design shown in those pictures is essentially the 'basic' cage that most slow drag cars have- a low (typically diagonal) door bar, a windshield loop, a rear loop, and little else. Won't protect from much, but will get the job done most of the time. Go to page 18 of section 20, just short of halfway through the document: http://www.nhra.com/UserFiles/file/General_Regulations.pdf

Head clearance to the bars is the biggest issue. Depending on your location, your yearly inspection is liable to not allow the car to pass.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
Thanks Greg for the pointers on legalities and police concerns. This idea is going to be a very loose version of the original with current rules needing to be considered to get it passed. And besides, I'm too old to be climbing through windows and bars so the purists will have lots to balk at I'm sure.
It's going to be a relatively low budget build for some shopping mall cruise nights and grocery getting. Not after a magazine spread or museum placement with this one. But rather just some fun while raising a little awareness as to just how basic those cars were for what they were capable of.
I live in the country and know a number of the local cops so I'm sure it'll become more of a novelty than a threat on the roads.
 
I am glad you are here, and hope you are here for a long time.

But the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B. website or forum may be more helpful with your project. There are a lot of gear heads there and if my memory is correct they restrict themselves to cars built before 1965. I would register and create a thread like this one there, and it is free just like this forum.

If I find anything else to help I will, but I was working on my first birthday when Fireball raced that car, so everything I know is second handed news. Jalopy has a lot of traffic or members and probably a few that were involved at some level in 1962.

Note: I am only speaking for myself, I am just another member. Fflash or someone else may have more to offer. I wish you the best, and hope to see some pictures in the future.
 
Man ,this thread is soooo weird. Dexter the dog actualy taking tips from guys who get their tips from dogs. Only at racing-forums :D ...pity.
 
Sounds like a fun project, Dexter! Please share photos of your progress!

Welcome!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom