NHRA

I have been watching Old NHRA races lately from the 70s, 80s and 90s. I can say one thing about those races and that is them seem better than now. Why do these races seem so much better? Could the NHRA really be that different back then, compared to the 00s and now? Was it more exciting back then? Why did it seem so much better?

            Well the first thing I did was watch more old races and compare them to the current NHRA races. As I was watching the older races I started to notice a few things (I focus on small details a lot). In the 70s there were a lot of rivalries going on, especially in Funny Car, but in all of the classes as well.

            When reading about and watching the old races with the rivalries I always wonder how come we haven’t had a major Rivalry in the NHRA in the past several years. Sure we have had those minor “rivalries” between Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon and the one between John Force and Tony Pedregon (not really sure if this one counts it was more of just a small feud) but this was nothing compared to the old rivalries!

            In the old rivalries there was thrash talk, stage duels, crowd hype and the crowd taking sides of the rivalry. With Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney hating each other (no seriously at one point they both openly hated each other), the sponsors also had better marketing by using the rivalries in there sales causing more hype and excitement. With the Hot Wheels rivalry (use sponsored by Mattel Hot Wheels) between Tom McEwen and Don Prudhome there was not only the regular season races but match races as well.

            The other thing with Drag racing back then, there were Match Races put on by the Track Owners and promoters. The promoters would contact the local radio stations, and you would here Jan Gabriel’s famous “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!”  promotion for the event. During the events the drag racers usually did a best 2 out of 3 elimination. There would also be a few jet powered cars, wheel standers (they would race each other on the rear 2 wheels all the way down the strip).

 A show was put on during the drag races. Even during the burnouts and staging a show was put on, burnouts would be done half way down the track, staging would have dry hops till someone staged first. Overall the way the races were done was just better.

            The Atmosphere of the races and how they presented the races seemed better as well. It seemed like the channels that broadcasted the races took more pride in doing so. The commentators were actually into the races and had personality and excitement when they were commentating. It looked like there was a closer relationship between the drivers and there fans as well. Sure almost all of the drivers still sign autographs but when I watch the old races and read stories the drivers would have conversations with fans, after an event they would stay and sign till everyone got an autograph.

            I have heard many different reasons to why all of these things are gone. I here some people blame it on corporate sponsorships but that can’t be true since in the 70s there has been corporate sponsors in drag racing, I don’t necessarily think its do to corporate sponsors but more of a combination of the NHRA’s Strict rules on mods in different classes, what you can do for mods, also the drivers themselves have gotten lazy and forgot about there fans.

            I think we needs to happen is the corporate sponsors should buy into putting on match races, and create rivalries like they use too, the Sponsors would profit, the Racers would have fun and make money and the fans would get a show! If the NHRA is stubborn to do this, we have the NMCA and the ADRL both seem to be interested in there fans so who knows, what will come of drag racing.  

NMCA

If you are into drag racing, you probably have heard of the NMCA. If you haven’t you have been missing out on a lot! The NMCA has been around since 1992 and has been run by ProMedia (the people who run the NMRA) since 2005. It is one of the largest sanctioning bodies for drag racing in the world.

            Now here at the Kustoms and Choppers Magazine love the NMCA. Why do we love the NMCA so much? What’s not to love about the NMCA! It is all heads up racing, using all street legal cars! (Well almost all street legal).

            With the NMCA it’s the classes that make the series great. If you read through there rulebook online and look at all of the classes one thing you will notice most of the classes are limited more on how much you can modify your car over Indexes (they have a few Index classes as well) but they try to keep the racing as Heads up as possible (some Index classes can seem more like bracket races then heads up), since heads up is the most exciting for both the fans and the racers!

            Now some of our favorite classes are Pro Street which is there all out class. The Class is for 7 Second Street Legal cars that are made to just run all out! Another great class is the Nostalgia Super Stock which is a class for the Super Stock Cars of the 60s.  Xtreme Street features 8 second cars on 10.5 tires and Mean Street is a small block only class.

            The best overall class of the NMCA is True Street! Why is this one the best? It combines a classic 50’s -60’s Style Cruise (think American Graffiti) with Drag Racing! What the racers have to do is start at the dragstrip, leave and cruise for 30 miles without stopping for any reason (even if something breaks, you can’t stop) and come back with out checking anything on your car and make 3 back to back passes! The Best average time of all 3 passes wins!

            I have to say though the NMCA has been around for awhile and has to be our favorite drag racing series here at Kustoms and Choppers. There is something about the series that just makes it great, its like the series has some sort of muscle car magic that just makes racers and us love it! It’s a must check out series for any hot rodder or drag racing fan!

Top 10 Best Choppers!

For the past few years now I have looked for the 10 Best Choppers and I am surprised no one has made a list like this before. I couldn’t find any lists of the best choppers at all I started to wonder why that was. I decided I was going to make my own then since no one else has and while I was deciding and looking for bikes to include I realized why no one has done this yet! Its so damn hard just to choose ten Choppers because there are so many different styles and types of bikes its like finding the hay in the needle stack!

            As for the 10 I have chosen, I can just say these 10 are the 10 best choppers, this is the list of how I felt at the time and I probably will do more lists with 10 completely different choppers later on, since there are so many choppers.

10. Kevin Alsop and Big Bear Choppers- The Athena- Built during Discovery Channels Biker Build Off, the Athena is one hell of a bike! Its all American built by an Aussie! The big looks mean and aggressive, with its fire orange paintjob, devil inspired frames and handle bars that look like devils horns this is one badass bike!

9. West Coast Choppers- Motorcycle Mania Bike- I swear Jesse James and West Coast Choppers are the only people who do not have a gallery and list the names of the bikes they made. Anyway this bike is the one Jesse Build over 10 years ago in Motorcycle Mania.

8. Billy Lane and Choppers Inc- Money Shot- Now this bike has something really unique about it, its rimless! The rear wheel has no rim. Other great things about the bike are the unique handle bars that go downward, the mirror is the silhouette of a hot girl, there is pin striping on the forks and sink knobs for gauge covers. Impressive small detail is what made this bike!

7. Chica and Chica Custom Cycles- Ace- I gotta say I love this bike! The Bike has that classic 50s and 60s look to it. With its black paint job with red white and yellow strips, its low, with short custom forks, has a high up tank, and has that cool bend in the frame that Chica is known for. Making this a nice one of a kind chopper!

6. Ian Barry and Falcon Motorcycles- The Black- Part of Falcon Motorcycles Concept 10 series, the Bullet was built around a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow engine. What makes this bike great is the small details of every part. Just about every part on this bike is custom made and most of them are painted! The Black overall has a bit of a retro future like, it is like an antique art piece that you can ride!

5. Mondo and Denver-Mondo Choppers- 30^th Anniversary Chopper- Built by the Godfather himself back in 2001 to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of Denver-Mondo Choppers. The bike looks straight out of the early 70s, from the long front forks, to the completely smooth red paintjob (no marks, no bumbs, no welds, nothing all smooth)and straight pipe exhaust all powered by a Panhead motor!

4. Hank Young and Young Choppers and Hot Rods- The Flying Pan- What I really love about this bike is, it looks like an aircraft (that explains the name). I love aircraft and aviation so this bike really stands out to me. Another that will stand out is the fuel tank hangs from the frame rather then being on top of it giving the bike a really unique look. The colors and the paint make me think WWI Aircraft or 20s barnstorming aircraft. The pegs like like they are made from an old machine gun which ads a cool effect to the bike, I actually have heard a rumor somewhere that Hank builds his parts out of old aircraft and car parts! (Which I think is cool)!

3. Indian Larry and Gasoline Alley- Grease Monkey- Built in the 90s by the late great Indian Larry. The bike looks just like a 60s Hot Rod or Gasser, with its candy red paint job, with white flames, the text have that 60s style fonts, the short front forks, and small style gas tank all make this bike look like its right out of the 60s. Also it features Indian Larrys Iconic paint on the transmission belt. The bike is a true Masterpiece!

2. Cole Foster and Salinas Boys Customs- The Beautiful Loser- It’s a Beautiful Winner in my book. It is one of the best motorcycles ever built! Its paintjob gives it a 60s Hot Rod look, which the ribbed fender and fuel tank add to. The “burnt orange” paintjob is flawless, along with the white. Another I really love is the rear fender is not just chopped but its also rounded and smooth giving the whole bike a nice clean look. Overall the Bike is a true Hot Rod.

1. Indian Larry and Gasoline Alley-Daddy O-  If I had to chose one bike in the world that represented what a Chopper is, I have to say it would be Daddy-O by Indian Larry. The Bike is a perfect! Everything about this bike is amazing, from the original gas tank that flows perfectly with the bike, to the perfect cut rear fender, to the custom built frame and forks, to the even an engine that is a Panhead and a Shovelhead in one! The Bike is perfect and it was built as a tribute to Hot Rodder Ed”Big Daddy” Roth! Making it the number 1 bike on our list!

            Like I said before there are way to many choppers out there its hard to say which bikes belong on the top 10 and which bikes really are the best bikes. There will be more Top 10s to come.

The Best Car Movies

All of us love movies, no matter how old or how new or what type all of us love movies. Why? Because movies are entertaining they give us a good story. Now there have been many car movies made, but which one is the best car movie? We will judge car movies based on the cars in the movie, the car scenes, and the racing.

10. Hot Rod Girl (1956) - I am not sure whether this movie was meant to be an anti-hot rodding movie or not. The plot isn’t much guys brother dies, the city wants to stop hot rodding and the kids still want to race. Since this is 1956 there has to be a chicken game right (it was a law in 50’s Hollywood). In the movie there are a few 32 Fords (actually a lot of 32 Fords), a 56 Chevy, a 56 Ford, 55 T-bird, and an Olds 88.

9. Death Proof (2007)- The first half of this movie maybe seem a bit boring, its mostly talking and just a bunch of girls drinking in a bar (not even a wild bar party, just a group of 3 girls drinking) but then it gets good, with a 71 Chevy Nova used as a weapon and later a car chase with a 69 Charger and a 70 Vanishing Point Challenger. The movie is meant to feel like a 70’s Slasher movie crossed with Vanishing Point. If you’re a Mopar guy check this one out!

8. Road Racers (1994)- This movie is called Road Racers however they is only one short race in the movie, and 2 Car Chases. The movie opens with a Car chase between a 56 Chevy being chased by the cops 56 Buick all to a badass Rockabilly song! There is greaser violence (not Grease greaser violence but like the Outsiders with a 90’s humor twist), there is great Rockabilly music from Glen Glenn, Hasil Adkins and Johnny Reno!

7. Thunder Road (1958) - Let me tell the story, I can tell it all... Actually let’s let Robert Mitchum tell you the story he can do it better. This movie starring Mitchum is about Running Moonshine in Tennessee in the 50’s and trying not to get caught be the revenuers. It has a number of crazy car chases featuring a 50 Ford Coupe, 57 Ford Fairlane, a 56 Chevy undercover car that can rip off cars bumpers and a song about the movie performed by Mitchum himself!

6. Dazed and Confused (1993) - I’ve been Dazed and Confused for so long its not true! Which sadly that song is not in this movie (it was suppose to be and Jimmy Paige was for it but Plant wasn’t). This movie is kind of like the 70’s version of American Graffiti except it’s the first night of summer not the last and the main character is entering High School. Anyway they is a car chase between a 64 Buick and 72 Chevy Truck, there is a 70 Chevelle SS 454, 70 GTO Judge, Ford Maverick, 37 Oldsmobile and a 74 Trans Am!

5. Tales of the Crypt: King of the Road (1992) - Ok I lied this one is not a movie; it is an episode from HBOs horror series Tales of the Crypt. Why is this movie on the list? WHY ISN’T ON THE LIST? As soon as the episode opens we are greeted with a 69 yellow Chevelle SS street racing a 69 Red Dodge Charger to a rocking song by Warren Zevon. Later we get a car chase with the Chevelle SS and a police car and at the end a Street race with the Chevelle SS vs. a 57 Chevy Gasser! There is a great soundtrack by Warren Zevon, however only one of the songs “Roll with the Punches” has been released the other “Bad Road, Wretched Road” is only found as a cover by a band called Rebel Son.

4. Hot Rod (1979) - This movie is hard to find, it was a made for TV made from 1979. It probably has the most Drag Racing scenes out of any movie I have seen! The movie has a Street race between a 65 Hemi Plymouth and a 69 Olds Cutlass in the beginning, later a hemi powered 41 Willys Coupe Gasser, a few funny cars, and rocket powered Funny Car and tons of Drag Racing scenes in this movie!

3. Vanishing Point (1971) - Kowalski is a delivery driver who is delivering a 1970 White Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco. He does it by speeding the whole time and creates the world’s largest car chase! Being pursued by the police the whole time!

2. Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) - Who needs plots? This movie doesn’t! All we need is a Driver, a Mechanic, a Girl, a guy with a GTO, a 55 Chevy gasser and a few random hitch hikers to make a great car movie! This movie is all about cars and nothing else! You get to see and hear a nice 55 Chevy almost every scene as well as a GTO. The movie opens with a Drag Race and ends with one!

1. American Graffiti (1973) – Was this really a surprise to any of you? Nothing but classic cars, cruising, great music, humor, a few races and lots of fun! We get a nice but piss yellow 32 Ford powered by a 327, a 58 Chevy Bel Air also powered by a 327, a girl in a 56 T-bird and a Black 55 Chevy (actually the same one from Two Lane Blacktop). This movie really is all about cars, not coming of age. The movie ends with a great showdown between the 32 Ford and the 55 Chevy!

Check out the Best Car Movies

Engine Displacement

This one is for all of you younger Hot Rodders out there who have been looking for a simple article explaining Displacement, Bore and Stroke but only found Wikipedia and a bunch of forum threads. Some of these forum threads may actually be helpful but you’re not sure if you should trust these forums, so you want a real article and not a wiki. So I decided to write this and help people like you out.

            First thing is first lets, go over what engine displacement is, if you are into hot rodding you already know the names of several engines such as the Chevy 350, Ford 302, Chrysler 440, etc. Well the numbers are the cubic inches of engine displacement. What engine displacement is, it is the measure of how much fuel and air you can fit in your cylinders.

            Now how you figure out engine displacement is by a simple calculation (oh no, not math!) Now how you figure out displacement is

∏(3.14)/4  X  bore (squared) X stroke X number of cylinders

An example the Chrysler 3.18 LA

3.14/4 X 3.91^2 X 3.31X 8= 317.79ci (aka 318ci)

Now some of you maybe be wondering why use PI? Well because Cylinders are round and we are figuring out a volume, PI is used in volume so it is used to figure out engine displacement which is volume. As for those wondering why the 318 LA in the example, well because the SBC 350 is to common.

Now for those of you who are too lazy to use paper, there are plenty of online displacement calculators for your convince. The best one I have found is here at the csgnetwork, not only does it calculate displacement it shows you all of the bore, and stroke for all of the stock hot rod engines. That way when you bore it out, or do a custom stroker job, you can calculate it right there.

Now getting on to bore (yes you’re calculator will come in handy for this), watching or attending drag races you may have heard people say they something like this “I’ve got a 350 SBC, 30 over…” which is the most common. What the 30 over means (its actually written out .030) is that he bored out his cylinders by thirty thousands of an inch increasing his displacement which if he didn’t stroke the engine it would bring it too 355.

Now you have probably heard of stroker motors, such as the 383, the 331, the 496, etc. What is a Stroker motor you may ask? Well first lets go over stroke.

What Stroke is the measurement of how far down a piston is from the Top Dead Center of the Cylinder to the bottom dead center of the Cylinder. As mentioned early the 3.18 has 3.31ci of stroke, that is 3.31 cubic inches from the Top Dead Center of the Cylinder to the Bottom dead Center of the Cylinder.

A Stroker motor is when you increase the engines stroke so the piston distance can increase and more fuel and air can get in the cylinder. To do this you will need to bigger crankshaft and longer connecting rods for your pistons.

Now I hope that helps you guys out. If you are planning one doing a bore or a stroke job please research it before you do it! Most engines have kits available for both so look into that as well. If there is any engine that you want me to do a tech article on I will do that.