Asphalt Angel 387
Summary
The Asphalt Angel 1963 Plymouth Belvedere features modern technology in a nostalgia package as clean and precise in performance as it is in appearance and workmanship. It is also the companion to another Nostalgia Super Stocks Inc. member, the Asphalt Elephant, making for one of the best two-car combos currently running.
Owners and Sponsors
Owned by Rich Berlisk of Hartland, Wis. and John Grinwald of Watertown, Wis. / sponsored by Almost NOS, LLC, Jim’s Car Shop of Fond du Lac, Wis. and Miller Brewing Co. of Milwaukee, Wis.
Driver
Rich Berlisk, 58, married to Kathy, is a retired tool-and-die maker after a 31-year career at Miller Brewing Co. Also an expert in classic muscle car restoration, Berlisk owns RB Restorations, a parts manufacturer and supplier.
A veteran restorer, Berlisk, along with Grinwald, won Best of Show three years with three different cars over a six-year period at the Mopar Nationals. In addition, Berlisk’s 1971 Demon was the first car to ever have been gold-certified twice.
Frequenting drag strips since 1966, Berlisk first drove the Asphalt Angel in 2002. A hunter in his spare time, Berlisk, whose nickname is ‘Grumpi’, now concentrates on racing. “We went from the show scene to the go scene,” he said.
History
Factory-built as a 6-cylinder, the Asphalt Angel was rolled 32,000 road miles before becoming a race car in 1967 / bought in Minnesota from Fred Engelhart as a 14- second Pro ET bracket car / driven by Grinwald for five years before being rebuilt for NSS / “It was so white and pure we started calling it The Angel,” said Berlisk.
Technical
Chrysler iron 400 low deck block / Mopar Performance stage VI heads / special adaptation Indy 2x4 in-line NSS intake manifold / 750 horsepower / Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission / footbrake only / Dana 9 ¾ rear member / 4.56 ratio / spool and axles / Cal-trac mono-leaf rear suspension / all-steel body
Performance
For ¼-mile, consistently runs on NSS/A 10.00 index at 135 mph / for 1/8-mile, 6.17 at 112 mph / all-time best, 9.80 at 137 mph
Results/Achievements
Lonestar Shootout NSS Eliminator runner-up 2006 / Hot Rod Reunion participant 2006 / Chrysler Classic Max Wedge participant 2006 / Monster Mopar NSS Nationals quarter-finalist 2005 / Goodguys Indy participant three consecutive years 2004-06