yeah and remember the hot pants halter tops and go go boots the girls wore back then, what a great time that was :yes: :cool :

 

That was hilarious. Try prepping your own track today.
At the least they revved up the crowd.

 

Those were the days, the cars looked like cars, fewer rules, fewer big time sponsors, AND, did ya hear the announcer call it the "bleach box", I still call it that, sometimes a younger kid will hear me and ask, 'what's that"?
'member back in the days when you did not want to breath the burn out smoke, it was bad stuff, but we're all still here ! :thumbsup:

 

There were a LOT of things we weren't supposed to do back when....but we did some of them anyway....and you're right...most of us are still here to remember!!

 

Funny thing is, my experience is when you shorten the mech advance on a points type dist to say about 24 degrees in order to use more initial advance of around 12-14 deg, and have it all in at a streetable rpm of around 2500-3000, you many times end up having to use the heavy stock springs. The lower the mech advance degrees to stay at the same "all in" rpm, the stiffer the springs must be. Problem is the heavy stock springs are hard to find. Most of the points type dist I've seen for sale at swap meets have lighter aftermarket springs on them.

 

Stock style springs are available at most Corvette parts vendors. The springs in the L79 don't allow the full mechanical advance to come in until 5100. The redline is 5600 so you can imagine how this doesn't work to your favor. The L79 springs may be a bit heavier than the average small block springs. Also, having the correct vacuum advance can is VERY important on an L79. The can the L79 uses is very unique and not at all like the average small block version. Most parts stores will sell you a one size fits all can which is HORRIBLE for the L79.

 

Jenkins would know a little something about tuning an L79!

What was the tip he gave you, to put in lighter mechanical advance springs? The L79 distributor has stupid heavy springs in it stock.

Ah, back in the days before computers and such. Just a well built car and a good driver could get you there. And cars that looked at least actually similar to real street cars.

 

Jenkins would know a little something about tuning an L79!

What was the tip he gave you, to put in lighter mechanical advance springs? The L79 distributor has stupid heavy springs in it stock.

You hit it right on the nose.....lighter springs. That was before it became common knowledge and then everyone started using them....

He also suggested getting rid of the stock cast iron intake and Q-jet that the '68 L79s came with from the factory. I already knew that, but didn't change them because I didn't want to void the factory warranty.

 

Saw lots of those match or "grudge" races back in the 60's-70's up here at MN Dragways. The guys usually acted like enemies and put on a good show, but most of the time were actually friends. Grumpy usually ran a Camaro or Nova, but had other Chevys too. Met him once when they pitted next to my L79 Malibu and he came over to check it out (brand new car at the time). Didn't think he was all THAT grumpy, he even gave me a little tip on tuning the stock distributor in the L79........and I was just another 19-year-old kid.

Good times and fun to watch their antics.....

 

Gotta Love it :thumbsup:

 

Love it. Match races were the best. The drama, the showmanship.

 

Very cool! Even though alot of the techniques there are consider a no no now days. Much simpler times.

 

Very cool! Even though alot of the techniques there are consider a no no now days. Much simpler times.

Amen!

 

Damm miss those days .......... I remember that track gone now

 

Ah, the good old days!! Great video, Scott and thanks for posting. Sure seemed simpler back then, too.