Hard Days Night NSS/624
Summary
I built this car in 1993 spending 18 months to create the car I dreamed of racing in my youth. The car I raced bach then was a 383 powered '63 Fury. This was my daily transportation.
Owner and Sponsor
Owned by John Rousset of Columbia, MO and sponsored by Henderson Oil Co of Columbia, MO.
Driver
John Rousset, a now retired pipefitter, raced a street driven 383 fury in 1963 & 64 until the Marine Corps and the Vietnam war came along. He stayed away from the strip while living in California. Upon moving back to Missouri in 1986, and being around friends who were still racing, the urge got too great so a project was in order.
History
I found a 1963 Savoy sitting in front of an abandoned house out in the country, found the owner, purchased the car and the work began. Over an 18 month period I took the car down to the unibody, added new floors and trunk from two donor cars. The car was completely restored including paint. Lettering and headers were done by good friend Don Stewert of Gerald, MO. Engine machine work was completed by Jeff Asberry of Centralia, MO (Murphy's Motor Service). It was completed in 1993.
Technical
The car is powered by a 440 inch Mopar block with stock legal Max Wedge heads topped with a stock 63 cross ram intake. Ross pistons, Crower forged steel rods, a Lunatti 690 lift roller cam and Harland Sharp rocker arms. The torque converter is from M & M with 500 stall 9". Transmission is a stock 727 torqueflite with a manual valve body. Rear end is Dana 60 with a spool. Ratio 4:10-1 rear suspension is Caltracs Springs and bars. Tires are 29.5-10.50 Mickey Thompsons.
Performance
For 1/4 mile, consistently runs on 10.50 index at 127 MPH; for 1/8 mile, 6.70 at 103 mph; in match race setup, 10.50 at 127 mph; all time best, 10.34 at 128 mph
Results/Achievements
Won the 1993 Kansas City Mopar classic.
Won the original Max Wedge shoot-out in 1995 in Columbus, Ohio.
Won the 2001 Max Wedge shoot-out at Monster Mopar in St. Louis.
Won the 2007 Goodguys Nostalgia Super Stock eliminator at Indy.
Have also won numerous class victories and runner up finishes.
Hard Days Night was a feature car in the April 1996 issue of Popular Hot Rodding Magazine. It has also been seen in many other magazines including Super Stock & Drag Illustrated and Chrysler Power.