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Post by pmossberg on Oct 27, 2009 18:32:32 GMT -5
Since we are coming up on a Talladega weekend, here is Pete Hamilton and his 1970 Petty Enterprises Superbird. The "gentleman racer" won the 1970 Daytona 500 for Petty Enterprises in this car and won BOTH Talladega races in 1970. Maybe we can win one of them this season! www.legendsofnascar.com/Pete_Hamilton.htmThey painted a red band on the nose before the 1970 Daytona 500.
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Post by revilo on Oct 28, 2009 5:10:01 GMT -5
This picture made me re-visit the Petty junkyard, where there is a picture of a piece of the nosecone from Pete's Superbird that someone dug up from the junkyard behind the Randleman shop. It's a good article, if you would like to check it out. www.superbirdclub.com/pettyjunk.html
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Post by ricklou on Oct 28, 2009 5:35:44 GMT -5
Nice detail shot Paul. looks like something is going on at the bottom of the drivers door ?
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Post by songsmith1950 on Oct 28, 2009 6:14:42 GMT -5
Great pic! The Superbird was one of those cars that was almost born with a legacy.
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Post by pmossberg on Oct 28, 2009 8:45:21 GMT -5
I see what you mean Rick. Almost like the door skin is curved out alogn the lower edge. Maybe RPE found something with airflow? I've got to go look at some pics of the 43 Superbird.
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Post by songsmith1950 on Oct 28, 2009 12:03:58 GMT -5
I don't think all Superbirds were like that. That would need to be verified but I really don't think they were.
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Post by pmossberg on Oct 28, 2009 12:06:39 GMT -5
Neither do I. I looked at some other photos of the 40 and at soem 43 superbirds. They all look "normal", that is no curve to the door edge.
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Post by ricklou on Oct 28, 2009 12:42:24 GMT -5
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Post by pmossberg on Oct 28, 2009 13:13:08 GMT -5
Awesome Rick!
So many cool details in these pictures.
Check out the tire rolling out to pit lane...no one even looking to chase it down. And speaking of safety...cowboy boots on the crewman doing the windshield.
Firemen in actual fire fighter coats and helmets.
Duct tape over the hood pins.
Sponsors had their way in 1970 just as today. The Goodyear sticker on the windshield in Victory Lane is not on the car during the race.
And maybe coolest of all...with two people sitting on it, the high wing barely deflects!
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Post by ricklou on Oct 28, 2009 13:56:56 GMT -5
Pete's Grand National career was not that extensive but he did alot of damage while running there. Hamilton can thank Richard Petty for that. Pete was one of the best short trackers in the country at the time that Richard gave him the car.
Still the feeling and aura of back then is tremendous. It is not the same or as good now ....no way.
In 1970 they had found the limits of grip and aerodynamics with these Super cars and Big engines. Those were the days
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Post by pmossberg on Oct 28, 2009 14:01:36 GMT -5
Pete's history and career stats can be found at www.legendsofnascar.com/Pete_Hamilton.htmPete broke into Grand National in 1968 at the age of 25 years. In six years in Grand National/Winston Cup he had: 64 races 4 wins 26 top fives 33 top tens 3 poles He was Grand National Rookie of the Year in 1968.
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Post by songsmith1950 on Oct 28, 2009 14:27:06 GMT -5
Yep, Grand National instead of Winston Cup or Nextel or whatever, or Sprint!
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Post by revilo on Oct 28, 2009 14:58:44 GMT -5
I dug out the picture of the piece of Hamilton's car that was retrieved from the Petty junkyard. I assume it is legit.
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