Awhile back I was inquiring about the Pro-Street look and the feisibility it poses. I'v been looking into it alot and ran across a website www.goDragRacing.com and these guys where running decent times on 10.5"s and 13" tires and street driven. One in particular a 87 Olds Cutlass caught my eye it has the right stance, the look,the tire, and the the attitude.(uhhh ya won't be able to tell I like it or anything ) So I signed up as a member and asked questions. I still confused about the response....the owner states its a 12.5" tire 29"tall, with the stock frame rails moved in but still using the factory upper and lower control arms from HR PARTSnSTUFF. He also stated it was mini-tubbed. I'm lost .....o No: how can that be possible? Follow this link, the owner provided some pics, and some info. http://forums.godragracing.com/viewtopic.php?t=9543 Here's the pic of the car, check out the tucking of the rear tire sweet, not fully tubbed but a lot of MEAT.:bglasses: Thanks ahead of time for any and all info:TU:
Chris To me "Pro Street'' is synonomous with "SLOW".......I can't help but think of back-half cars with big treaded tires that don't run anywhere near what they look like they should. That Cutlass exemplifies what I mean when I say "All in good taste" What you're looking to do is the trend known as a 10'' tire car. This usually involves ''subtle'' work to tuck a 10'' wide tire under a car to make it look unsuspecting. "Mini-tubbing'' is some sheetmetal work to the stock wheel wells to accomodate the size tire you choose,It involves enlarging the wheel housing with the main intent being to retain a somewhat stock appearance and other such details. And what was done to the framerails was just a remove and replace operation to allow for a tasteful ride height and proper tire fit. In some cases it's as much work as a back half but it leaves the mystery to the car as to what the performance potential is.....Before I installed my parachute my car looked like an 11 second ride,No one would've guesses it to run 9's from the looks of it....Backseat and all.
My tastes have changed in the last 3-4 years..... More so in the last year, that I've been here at V8Buick. I love the 10" tire cars! Whodathunk such a mild looking car could be so quick! Gary's car is a fine example. I wish I wouldn't have cut up my first 67 like I did, but at this point, it's too late to turn back. I have too much invested in it. Heck... I have more in just the rear end (tire to tire) than I have in several of our other cars combined! If I could turn back time.. I would have just massaged the rear frame a little for a few extra inches of tire clearence. Oh well. Ya live.. ya learn. I still have a sweet spot for tubbed cars though. They have awesome "curb appeal", and I will certainly still enjoy mine when it's done, regardless of how fast it is. :TU:
Gary I've seen your car a few times run....gotta say very impressive! I've also seen your cool chassis in one of the BPG news letters, gotta admit those "notched" frame rails, and those 10.5's go together!! All that does come together in one sweet ride. I do aggree in your statement "All in good taste"....thats why that Olds tugged on the Heart string, it is the "look" I've been searching for, I guess I didn't know till I saw it. I have been planning to "mini-tubb " Regal, didn't know weather for that look or that new G-Force"pro touring" look.I wanted as much as possible in widthof a tire, in the rear, also to notch the frame to help acheive that look. Anyhow again sharp ride.... Now time to break out he wallet, and get some hours in to get that lookou: Later
Good timing on this question. If you haven't already, you might look at the new issue of Popular Hot Rodding. I forget which month it is, I just got it in the mail last week. Anyways, there is a fairly detailed article on the exact procedure you're talking about. Mark Stielow is building a '64 (?) Chevelle g-machine and he is doing the "mini-tub" thing to the rear suspension. Very nicely done. Mark is a true craftsman. Have fun.
