Its all about the numbers, when you talkin' cars that is...

Well, I'll tell ya, I am a bit of a bookworm. I love reading and love learning new things all the time. I will be running these posts on new books and some older books that I think would benefit any car guy out there. Here is the first, if you know anything about cars you know that they are all about numbers. Everything has a number and they tell you a lot about when and where they came from. What year, plant, day of production, even the line that it was ran on in some cases. Lots of numbers. Here is a good reference book for engines. Check it out.


American performance and the V-8 engine are inextricably linked. Ever since the first mass-produced automobile V-8 was introduced by Cadillac in 1914, the V-8 has been the engine of choice for America’s most powerful vehicles--race cars, luxury cruisers, pick-up trucks, and SUVs. And every V-8 ever produced in the U.S. is covered in this exhaustive guide, which presents complete listings of V-8 specifications through the 2009 model year. Each listing provides general specs for the engine, as well as part numbers for basic engine components--for vehicles from that first Cadillac to the latest star of NASCAR. The book includes details on displacement, horsepower, torque, carburetion and fuel injection, compression ratio, internal dimensions, and virtually every other specification of value to collectors, mechanics and builders, and enthusiasts.

Covering more than a half century of domestic passenger-car V-8’s, the Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book has been expanded and reorganized to include more information than ever before. All the major manufacturers – GM, Ford, Chrysler, and even independents such as AMC and Studebaker – are covered in detail. This is the one engine reference book no collector or enthusiast can be without.

March Meet

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2010) – When John Force speaks, people listen. They kind of have to: the 14-time NHRA Funny Car champion and all-time winningest drag racer is anything but subtle. He’s loud, fast, funny, engaging, loud, passionate, poignant, clever, nostalgic, smart, real and yes, really loud. Imagine talking to a tornado and you get the idea.

Reporter Bill Groak chatted with Force recently regarding his role as Grand Marshal of the 52nd running of the March Meet, Mar. 5-7 at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway near Bakersfield, Calif. In the interview, which Groak described as “a triple-shot of espresso,” Force bounced around a bit, touching on his memories of the fabled March Meet, racing (and struggling) in the old days and the popularity of nostalgia drag racing.

1. How does it feel to be the Grand Marshal of the 2010 March Meet?

John Force: I’m really honored and excited. It’s the March Meet. Auto Club CEO Tom McKernan is a big fan of it and he’s been asking me to go for years, but I always seem to be busy so I haven’t been able to go up there. Always wanted to, and now I am. It’ll be an exciting time. The March Meet is unbelievable. I’ve heard it’s huge now. I used to race there in (Steve) Plueger-sponsored cars back in the early days. Plueger and I go way back. I remember competing and there were so many big-name drivers like Snake and Mongoose running, they didn’t include new drivers like me in the program. So my name was never printed. When sponsors asked, I’d tell them I was listed in the ‘and many more’ section. That’s the truth.

But I really can’t wait to go and see all the cars. I’m glad Auto Club has invested in Famoso and the March Meet. McKernan’s real passionate about its history. I’ll be rooting for Plueger. God bless ’em all. I’m going to Bakersfield!

2. What are some of your memories of racing in the March Meet?

Force: The March Meet was a big part of my early years of drag racing.

I remember racing at Famoso and Weld Wheels was one of my first sponsors. I was making a run and my wheel came off. I stopped but the wheel kept going down the track – it outran me. I’ve been racing Funny Cars for 33 years. I’ve had Castrol as a sponsor for 25 years and the Auto Club for 15. But back in the early days, I didn’t have the money or the sponsors. It was a struggle. I was jumping around the country lookin’ for places to race, doing a lot match races. But if you wanted to be anybody, you had to go to the March Meet. That’s where all the best raced, like Snake and Mongoose. I would go there and come out swinging – you had to. I didn’t even have a uniform. I had to buy t-shirts from the local Wendy’s.

The March Meet is back. It should be an NHRA event again. I’m going back as Grand Marshal. I’m excited, but I don’t know what to do. I’m going up with Robert Hight. He loves it up there. They all know him there. Me, I’m a 14-time champion and people now call me ‘Ashley’s dad.’ I don’t care: I’m the Grand Marshal of the March Meet.

3. Cruz Pedregon is driving a replica of the Joe Pisano 1978 Plymouth Arrow Funny Car at this year’s event. Ever think about racing again at the March Meet?

Force: I know Worsham and Capps race there, too. I actually have the Brute Force car in my Yorba Linda museum, but know that the March Meet crowd has seen it there before, so it’ll probably just be me and Robert. I’m a hot rodder and that’s what Bakersfield is all about – winning. Pisano used to spank me, but one day, John Force will drive again at the March Meet. You can take that to the bank.

4. What were the early days of Funny Car like?

Force: They were tough. The cars weren’t computerized like today. We had to shift into high gear – really jerk it. There was a lot going on. And fire was a big issue. But whether you’re runnin’ at 250 or 350, if you don’t want to get hurt, don’t get in. The March Meet is a big part of the history of the sport, like Wally Parks. We all love the old days, but it had to evolve. Safety, speed and sponsorships all had to grow. The sport is much safer now. In the 50 years of NHRA racing, we’ve only lost a handful of drivers. You lose that many in one day on LA freeways. I’m really glad I’m going to the March Meet again. I used to sneak in. I remember it all from the early days. Who you are today has no meaning without history.

Well, here we go again

It has been a while since I have done any official Speed & Chrome articles. So, I may need to scrape off some rust in order to get back into the swing of things. Hope you like it and stay tuned for more cool stuff. Shoot me an email. I am always looking for content. This is all new but I am sure we can work in some mini features on your cars/trucks/bikes or whatever. Send me the stuff here, lance@speednchrome.com

I will also be doing product reviews starting soon.

This blog will eventually be posted on the speednchrome.com site, but for now, bookmark this page and check back often.

Okay, enough of that, lets talk cars.

Eagle Field Drag races, wow. I had the pleasure of attending this event back in October. This was their first event. Picture an old WWII Army Air Field, thats the stage. Then think back to pictures of some of the earliest drag races from the 50's that took place at some of these ol' air fields and you will begin to see what this race was all about.

Rocky Phillips of Fresno Ca. and volunteers put this little event together and it was a blast. It took place down in Dos Palos California, west of Fresno, out in the middle of nothing really. Let me set the stage for you. Bring out your pre 65 hot rod and run it on the 8th mile runway. No timing lights, no times, only a flag man to start you and away you go. FOR FUN, imagine that, all this to have some fun.

Now some news about the next race, May 22, 2010 and if your anywhere near the central valley, you wont want to miss it. Go here for more information, www.eaglefield.net. Almost forgot, the next race is a Fresno Dragways reunion race and they are looking for guys who ran there cars there years ago. If you did, then you could be a special VIP guest at the next event. Contact Rocky at 559 442 0126 or at lbrtoys@yahoo.com

For this next race they moved the year up to 73 and older. So bring out your ride and run it hard.

Here are some pics from the Oct. event.

Click on the photos to see the whole thing, they are too big for this little column.