Legendary 1955 NASCAR Chevrolet Race Car Re-created

[pupp1]

FOR RELEASE: 2005-06-14 Legendary 1955 NASCAR Chevrolet Race Car Re-created

Junior Johnson Helps GM Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Small-Block V-8

DETROIT – Junior Johnson helped GM engineers introduce a re-creation of its 1955 Chevrolet at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Mich. on June 8, 2005. The vehicle, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the GM small-block, was unveiled to select media and GM employees who were given rides in 1955 NASCAR Chevrolet at the GM Proving Ground with Johnson behind the wheel. Johnson also participated in internal employee events at the GM Proving Ground and the GM Warren Technical Center where the car was displayed and Johnson signed autographs.



Fifty years ago this September, Herb Thomas won the Southern 500 at Darlington driving a 1955 Chevrolet prepared by Smokey Yunick. It was Chevy’s first superspeedway victory and the beginning of a legend.



The GM small-block V-8 became, arguably, the most successful production and racing engine ever made. In fact, the small-block V-8 design is still raced today in NASCAR, ALMS, NHRA and many other series. Refined versions of the same proven design also powers many 2005 GM trucks, sport utilities, sedans and the Chevrolet Corvette.



This year a “new” 1955 Chevrolet NASCAR race car has taken shape at GM’s Performance Division Garage – a special project between GM Performance Division and the GM Heritage Center. Carrying Thomas’ famous number 92, it replicates Yunick’s original preparation and race specification as closely as possible.



“The re-creation of the 1955 Chevrolet NASCAR race car symbolizes the past, present and future success of the GM small-block V-8,” said Mark Reuss, executive director of GM’s Performance Division. “Fifty years later this engine design continues to deliver success on the race track while bringing real benefits to millions of GM owners in their personal and work vehicles.”



The racer is based on a 1955 Chevrolet “one-fifty” utility sedan which was inexpensive, lightweight and had no back seat. The replica will have a standard bench seat, “three on the tree” manual transmission, manual drum brakes, bias-ply ties with tubes and a small-block V-8 hopped up the way it’s believed Smokey would have done it. The engine of the original racer is currently in the Don Garlits Museum in Ocala, Fla., while the car itself has disappeared. Modern concessions to safety include a full roll cage, five-point safety harnesses, a fire suppression system and a dual circuit brake system. The current popularity of the classic 1955 Chevrolet made the parts and services necessary for the race car re-creation readily available.



Junior Johnson, winner of 50 NASCAR races and six Winston Cup championships as a team owner, is acting as a consultant on the car build and specification. NASCAR also provided research, reference photography and a copy of their 1955 rule book to help make the replica race car “pretty close” to the actual Chevrolets raced in 1955.



Johnson will drive the number 92 Chevy in its debut at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, June 24-26. Thereafter, the car will undertake a full program of appearances throughout 2005, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the small-block V-8. These include the Woodward Dream Cruise, the Concours d’Elegance at Cranbrook and demonstration runs at individual NASCAR races.



The small-block crate engine is the world’s most popular choice for street rods and sportsman racers. More information on GM Performance Parts crate engines is available by visiting www.gmgoodwrench.com/PartsAccessories/GMPerformanceParts.html



General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countriesand its vehicles are sold in200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 millioncars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company’s history.GM’s global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.



1955 NASCAR Chevrolet Replica Specifications



Overview

Model: One-Fifty Utility sedan

Body style: 2-door sedan (no rear seat)

Driveline: Front-engine, rear-drive

Construction: Body on frame



Engine

Type: OHV V-8

Displacement (cu in/cc): Only Smokey would know

Block material: Cast iron

Valve train: OHV, 2 valves per cylinder

Ignition: Distributor with coil

Fuel delivery: Mechanical fuel pump, downdraft 4-bbl carburetor

Compression ratio: Only Smokey would know

Horsepower (hp/kw@rpm): N/A

Torque (lb-ft/Nm@rpm): N/A

Exhaust: Dual straight exhaust pipes

Fuel: 87 octane



Capacities

Fuel tank (gal/L): 16.0/60.5

Engine oil (qt/L): 4/3.8

Cooling system (qt/L): 16/15.1



Transmission

Type: 3-speed, synchro-mesh, selective gear, column-shift manual

Gear ratios:

First: 2.94:1

Second: 1.68:1

Third: 1.00:1

Reverse: 2.94:1

Final drive: 3.73:1

Clutch: 10 in/254 mm diaphragm spring type



Chassis/Suspension

Front: Independent SLA, coil springs, shock absorbers and sway bar

Rear: Live axle, Auburn limited-slip differential, leaf springs and shock absorbers

Steering type: Manual, recirculating ball

Steering ratio: 25.7:1



Brakes

Type: Manual 4-wheel drum; semi-metallic linings with dual master cylinder

Size (in/mm): Front 11x2/279x51, Rear 11x2/279x51



Tires

Wheel size and type: 15x6 inch, stamped steel

Tires: 7.00-15 4-ply Firestone with tubes



Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in/mm): 115.0/2921

Overall Length (in/mm): 195.6/4968

Overall width (in/mm): 74.0/1880

Overall Height (in/mm): 60.5/1537

Track (in/mm): Front: 58.0/1473; Rear:58.7/1491

Curb weight (lb/kg): 3250/1474
Source

[327]

thats cool, along with demonstrations at racetracks, that would be cool to use it as a pace car at a race

[GTOken]

I wonder what GM will do to honor Pontiac. See'n as how Pontiac dominated the sport in the late 50's early 60's. Oh wait, what am I thinking, Pontiac is the distant step-child not to be brought up in public. My bad.

[mrfunji]

It was in the Power Tour if anyone was on that and had pictures. It lead the pack out of Brewer Stadium. It was a sweet car, I wish I had my camera.

[gmhashope]

Sounds cool, hopefully it will be at the Chicagoland Speedway when I go there for the NASCAR races.

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by GTOken

I wonder what GM will do to honor Pontiac. See'n as how Pontiac dominated the sport in the late 50's early 60's. Oh wait, what am I thinking, Pontiac is the distant step-child not to be brought up in public. My bad.

By the way it's honoring the small-block V8 design originally used by Chevys, Pontiac did dominate the sport but along with many other brands too. I agree Pontiac isn't getting the attention or cars it needs to be the performance brand it's supposed to be.

[SSrevolution]

Pontiac might have dominated back then, but considering...
Chevy only got involved in 1955 competitively, didn't race at all 1964-1971, and all of the great Mopars, Fords, Mercs, Pontiacs, buicks,in history, Chevy has won the most races in NASCAR history period.
So why did GM pull Pontiac race support? They could have used that in their "excitement" factor.

[Buick61]

Any pictures? Did they actually use a 1955 Chevy or did they make one from scratch?

[ZOOMY]

Heh, I wonder if they'll have something like this for the 50th anniversary of some Toyota engine, like a crappy 4-cyl seeing how they are so superior and all.

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by SSrevolution

So why did GM pull Pontiac race support? They could have used that in their "excitement" factor.

Because Pontiac had 5 full time teams and after Joe Gibbs Racing left Pontiac, they only won 1 race with Ricky Craven. It's not worth investing millions into 5 teams that only win a total of 1 race a year.