Gremlin Modified Special, 1970 Modified Special | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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By the end of the 1950s, the once-ample supply of inexpensive, pre-war used cars was rapidly declining - and even as their numbers dwindled, surviving cars were increasingly chopped and narrowed to become first fenderless 'Bugs,' then '30 x 90s' (for their 30-inch roll bar and 90-inch wheelbase). At some tracks they became Super Modifieds, open-wheel racers which resembled sprint cars wearing only the remnant of a stock-car roof. Often, Super Modifieds competed against pure-bred spring cars with full roll cages.

Anger factory that made this new type of modified or 'jalopy-style' stock car racing so popular was the increasing costs associated with fielding a competitive car in the other divisions. This was particularly true with the midgest, where professional quality Kurtis and Offenhauser racing equipment came with a professional prize.

By the early 1970s, that class had split into winged sprint cars and Modifieds like this Gremlin, which combined proven 'jalopy' known-how with more modern sheet metal. These cars might have a tube frame or, like this one, a cutdown production-car chassis. Its tubular front axle, guided by four leading links and supported by coil-over-shock units, derives from racers' and hot rodderes' long experience with lowering solid-axle Fords. Simple parallel leaf springs hold up its quick-change rear end, itself designed for relatively easy gear-ratio changes to suit different-length tracks. A Chevrolet big-block delivers 650 hp from its stock 454 cubic-inch displacement.

Bobby Gerhart drove it in its heyday, and it is now owned by the Gerhart Family and can usually be found on display at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, Pennsylvania.

Source - AACA Museum

Sprint Car

Sprint cars have had a very long history and enjoyed much popularity in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. They are generally considered high-powered race cars with the purpose of competing on short dirt or paved tracks.

sprint Car Racing really came into its form after World War I, when many enthusiasts and armatures raced 'specials' (commonly referred to as 'race cars' and 'dirt track cars') at various dirt tracks, such as at the county fair horse tracks. The Ford Model T was a popular favorite, as it had the speed and parts were readily available.

Within the decades to come, the cars evolved greatly. The Ford engine was still popular, but other custom builders, such as Miller and Offenhauser, offered a very competitive engine that often outclassed the rest of the field.

Up to this point in history, around the 1930s, the cars were still not called 'Sprint Cars'. Midget cars had come onto the scene, and were much smaller than the larger machines, now called 'big cars.'

The post-World War II era brought about many new improvements. Cars were professionally built and competition continued to escalate. Some cars were still using the four-cylinder engines of the pre-WWII era, but many had been fitted with larger units, such as the Ford or Mercury flathead V8. The Chevrolet V8 became popular in the 1960s and soon outclassed other engines.

The name 'Sprint Car' was coined around 1950. As the years progressed, the cars were improved with the addition of safety requirements such as cage roll bars. The engines began producing more and more horsepower, and wider tires were needed to help with traction. Wings began appearing on the tops of car to help with down forces.

In modern times, the Sprint Cars can reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. Many engines have been tuned to produce 750 horsepower and more. The cars have an excellent power-to-weight ratio and are very entertaining to watch or compete in. Famous drivers from well-known racing series, such as IndyCar and NASCAR, have competed in Sprint Car Racing.

1970 Gremlin Modified Special
Year	1970
Make	Gremlin
Model	Modified Special
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
	Quick-change rear end
Combined MPG	0.00

Engine
Engine Builder	Chevrolet
Engine Configuration	V
Cylinders	8
Engine	Big-block
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	454.00 CU IN. \| 7441.1 cc. \| 7.4 L.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	650.00 HP (478.4 KW)
HP / Liter	87.8 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
Fuel Feed	Carburetor

Standard Transmission
Transmission	Manual

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1970 Gremlin Modified Special