R. Todd Rothrauff

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  1. The Virtual Car Show . . .
  2. April 5 - 6, 2019: Charlotte Auto Fair, Charlotte, North Carolina . . .

April 6: Hornets Nest Region AACA show . . .

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  • Power comes from Chevrolet's RPO L48 350 CID V8 that made 295 hp.  This is actually a very rare car.  Only 1,274 were produced with this engine in 1968.

    Power comes from Chevrolet's RPO L48 350 CID V8 that made 295 hp. This is actually a very rare car. Only 1,274 were produced with this engine in 1968.

  • More Class 36B cars.  I counted 15 cars in this class.  The blue car on the left of the photo above is a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS350.

    More Class 36B cars. I counted 15 cars in this class. The blue car on the left of the photo above is a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS350.

  • 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • Another 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    Another 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • The Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 accounted for almost half of the Class 36B participants.   The car on the left of the photo above is the third of three 1966 models.

    The Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 accounted for almost half of the Class 36B participants. The car on the left of the photo above is the third of three 1966 models.

  • 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • Three big-block options were available in the 1966 and 1967 Chevelle SS396.  RPO L35 made 325 hp and RPO L78 made 375 hp during both years.  But for some reason, the middle option, RPO L34 made 360 hp in 1966, but only 350 hp in 1967.  This 1966 model is equipped with RPO L34 that makes 360 hp.

    Three big-block options were available in the 1966 and 1967 Chevelle SS396. RPO L35 made 325 hp and RPO L78 made 375 hp during both years. But for some reason, the middle option, RPO L34 made 360 hp in 1966, but only 350 hp in 1967. This 1966 model is equipped with RPO L34 that makes 360 hp.

  • The third of three 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396s on display.

    The third of three 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396s on display.

  • 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

    1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.

  • This car is powered by Chevrolet's RPO L34 396 CID V8 that makes 350 hp, (instead of 360 hp like it made in 1966).

    This car is powered by Chevrolet's RPO L34 396 CID V8 that makes 350 hp, (instead of 360 hp like it made in 1966).

  • 1961 Chrysler 300G convertible.

    1961 Chrysler 300G convertible.

  • 1961 Chrysler 300G convertible.  This car was displayed in Class 36C, Mopar High Performance, 1955 - 1969.

    1961 Chrysler 300G convertible. This car was displayed in Class 36C, Mopar High Performance, 1955 - 1969.

  • The sign displayed with the car detailed the car's options.

    The sign displayed with the car detailed the car's options.

  • For 1961, the 300G was powered by Chrysler's 413 CID "Wedge" V8 that makes 375 hp.

    For 1961, the 300G was powered by Chrysler's 413 CID "Wedge" V8 that makes 375 hp.

  • The 413 CID "Wedge" V8 first appeared in a Chrysler 300 in 1959, replacing the famous 392 CID "Hemi" V8 from 1957 and 1958.

    The 413 CID "Wedge" V8 first appeared in a Chrysler 300 in 1959, replacing the famous 392 CID "Hemi" V8 from 1957 and 1958.

  • In 1959, the 413 retained the same inline two 4-bbl carburetor setup as seen on the previous versions of the Hemi.  But beginning in 1960, the inline arrangement was replaced by the famous "Ram Induction" system where the carburetors were separated as seen in the photos above and below.

    In 1959, the 413 retained the same inline two 4-bbl carburetor setup as seen on the previous versions of the Hemi. But beginning in 1960, the inline arrangement was replaced by the famous "Ram Induction" system where the carburetors were separated as seen in the photos above and below.

  • The basic principle of Ram Induction states that airflow through an engine can be increased by either adding forced induction or by taking resonance into account when designing the intake manifold.  Instead of using a supercharger, Chrysler engineers looked deeper into the principles of acoustics and resonance developed by German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz almost a century earlier.

    The basic principle of Ram Induction states that airflow through an engine can be increased by either adding forced induction or by taking resonance into account when designing the intake manifold. Instead of using a supercharger, Chrysler engineers looked deeper into the principles of acoustics and resonance developed by German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz almost a century earlier.

  • Using Helmholtz's principles, Chrysler engineers determined that intake manifold runners 30 inches in length would be ideal for an engine speed of 2,800 rpm.  The only way to get 30-inch runners to fit under the hood was to separate the carburetors and have each feed the opposite bank of cylinders over which they sit.  And so the "Long Ram" was born.

    Using Helmholtz's principles, Chrysler engineers determined that intake manifold runners 30 inches in length would be ideal for an engine speed of 2,800 rpm. The only way to get 30-inch runners to fit under the hood was to separate the carburetors and have each feed the opposite bank of cylinders over which they sit. And so the "Long Ram" was born.

  • Not only does the Long Ram setup make power, it's also beautiful to behold.  This intake design is a work of art !

    Not only does the Long Ram setup make power, it's also beautiful to behold. This intake design is a work of art !

  • I always thought Chrysler did a great job with their interiors in the 1950s and 1960s.  The reflection in the window makes the picture above hard to see.

    I always thought Chrysler did a great job with their interiors in the 1950s and 1960s. The reflection in the window makes the picture above hard to see.

  • So I moved to the back of the car and zoomed in through the rear window.  Photoshop Elements was able to bring out more of the details.

    So I moved to the back of the car and zoomed in through the rear window. Photoshop Elements was able to bring out more of the details.

  • Like the display sign indicated, this is an extremely rare car.

    Like the display sign indicated, this is an extremely rare car.

  • The Chrysler 300 "Letter" cars from 1955 - 1965 are rare to begin with.

    The Chrysler 300 "Letter" cars from 1955 - 1965 are rare to begin with.

  • A convertible "Letter" car when available, (it wasn't for some years), is even more scarce with typically only a few hundred produced.

    A convertible "Letter" car when available, (it wasn't for some years), is even more scarce with typically only a few hundred produced.

  • This car is one of 337 300G convertibles produced in 1961.

    This car is one of 337 300G convertibles produced in 1961.

  • A beautifully restored 1961 Chrysler 300G convertible.

    A beautifully restored 1961 Chrysler 300G convertible.

  • This was a stunning automobile, a top-notch restoration, and another of my favorites from the show !

    This was a stunning automobile, a top-notch restoration, and another of my favorites from the show !

  • 1963 Ford Galaxie 500.

    1963 Ford Galaxie 500.

  • This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 was displayed in Class 36D:  Factory High Performance, Ford and Mercury, 1957 - 1969.

    This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 was displayed in Class 36D: Factory High Performance, Ford and Mercury, 1957 - 1969.

  • This is rare R-Code 427 Galaxie 500, one of approximately 4,900 made that year.

    This is rare R-Code 427 Galaxie 500, one of approximately 4,900 made that year.

  • Two versions of Ford's 427 CID "FE" V8 were available.  The Q-Code single 4-bbl version that makes 410 hp, and the R-Code dual 4-bbl version featured in this car that makes 425 hp.

    Two versions of Ford's 427 CID "FE" V8 were available. The Q-Code single 4-bbl version that makes 410 hp, and the R-Code dual 4-bbl version featured in this car that makes 425 hp.

  • 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350.

    1967 Shelby Mustang GT350.

  • 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350.

    1967 Shelby Mustang GT350.

  • In what is somewhat of an unusual twist, the two Shelby Mustangs I saw at this show were both 1967 GT350 models.  While I've seen GT350s at shows many times before, my memory is that I've seen far more GT500s.  This makes sense given that fewer GT350s were built, (1,174 vs 2,048 GT500s in 1967).

    In what is somewhat of an unusual twist, the two Shelby Mustangs I saw at this show were both 1967 GT350 models. While I've seen GT350s at shows many times before, my memory is that I've seen far more GT500s. This makes sense given that fewer GT350s were built, (1,174 vs 2,048 GT500s in 1967).

  • 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT.

    1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT.

  • 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT.

    1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT.

  • Mercury always seemed to take a back seat to its Ford counterparts during the Muscle Car Wars of the 1960s.

    Mercury always seemed to take a back seat to its Ford counterparts during the Muscle Car Wars of the 1960s.

  • This Comet Cyclone GT is a rare car, one of 13,812 produced that year.

    This Comet Cyclone GT is a rare car, one of 13,812 produced that year.

  • 1970 Pontiac GTO convertible.<br />
<br />
The next series of cars are from Class 36F:  Factory High Performance, Buick and Pontiac, 1970 - 1987.  The 4-bbl 400 CID V8 GTO convertible seen in the photo above, while not the Holy Grail RAIV version, is still quite rare in its own right.  Pontiac made 3,615 GTO convertibles in 1970 with 3,060 of them having the standard 400 CID V8.

    1970 Pontiac GTO convertible.

    The next series of cars are from Class 36F: Factory High Performance, Buick and Pontiac, 1970 - 1987. The 4-bbl 400 CID V8 GTO convertible seen in the photo above, while not the Holy Grail RAIV version, is still quite rare in its own right. Pontiac made 3,615 GTO convertibles in 1970 with 3,060 of them having the standard 400 CID V8.

  • 1970 Buick GS455 convertible.

    1970 Buick GS455 convertible.

  • 1970 Buick GS455 convertible.

    1970 Buick GS455 convertible.

  • Like the previous GTO, this 1970 Buick GS455 convertible, while not the Holy Grail Stage 1, is still a rare car.  This car is one of 1,184 GS455 convertibles produced in 1970.

    Like the previous GTO, this 1970 Buick GS455 convertible, while not the Holy Grail Stage 1, is still a rare car. This car is one of 1,184 GS455 convertibles produced in 1970.

  • Power comes from Buick's torquey 455 CID V8 that makes 350 hp.  But the more impressive number is the 510 ft-lbs of torque available at a mere 2,800 rpm.

    Power comes from Buick's torquey 455 CID V8 that makes 350 hp. But the more impressive number is the 510 ft-lbs of torque available at a mere 2,800 rpm.

  • 1970 Buick GS Stage 1.

    1970 Buick GS Stage 1.

  • 1970 Buick GS Stage 1.

    1970 Buick GS Stage 1.

  • The standard GS455 was rated at 350 hp.  For an additional $199, a buyer could select the Stage 1 option which featured reworked cylinder heads, higher compression, and a more aggressive camshaft.  The result was an additional  -  "wink, wink"  -  10 hp, bringing the official rating to 360.  <br />
<br />
Yeah, right !  Motor Trend magazine tested a new Stage 1 in 1970 and ripped off a 13.38 second quarter mile with a trap speed of 105 mph.  In their opinion, the factory rating was “some kind of understatement of the year.”  Actual output is suspected to be around 400 hp.

    The standard GS455 was rated at 350 hp. For an additional $199, a buyer could select the Stage 1 option which featured reworked cylinder heads, higher compression, and a more aggressive camshaft. The result was an additional - "wink, wink" - 10 hp, bringing the official rating to 360.

    Yeah, right ! Motor Trend magazine tested a new Stage 1 in 1970 and ripped off a 13.38 second quarter mile with a trap speed of 105 mph. In their opinion, the factory rating was “some kind of understatement of the year.” Actual output is suspected to be around 400 hp.

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