Richard Petty Question

[j-c-c-62]

FWIW, I don't remember the 64 at the 500 having that much rake as the pic 65Bel shared, that rake came later as aero tricks were introduced, but I may be wrong.
It doesn't IMO do it any favors, the later years that would be yes.

 

[Orig69]

Not sure if it's original but it looks like it has a 22 inch radiator.

 

[KiwiKid72]

.

 

[padam]

I wonder how many of those museum cars are actually in as raced form. I’m sure back in the day they were stripped for parts when needed.

And with Petty’s now under corporate ownership, who knows what they might do.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Upon further review, it appears to be the same car that 65Bel posted. Note the decals on the windshield.

This video might confirm a few details on the 64 Daytona 500 car, it definitely had Chrome wheels, which is rarely seen in any recreations, and the body rake was minimal IMO. I remember at the Daytona 500 first Hemi race, a joke rumor at the race that week was, the drivers all wanted a Lemans running driver start, so they could all run for the Hemi cars.

1964 daytona 500 video - Search Videos

 

[64BEL]

Those chrome wheels are interesting!

Also interesting that in the video you can see that Richard's hood say 405 HP and Buck Baker's #41 Petty car hood says 400 HP.

 

[RemCharger]

Those chrome wheels are interesting!

Also interesting that in the video you can see that Richard's hood say 405 HP and Buck Baker's #41 Petty car hood says 400 HP.

Must be a 5 horse sticker on there somewhere

 

[odcics2]

The 64 Plymouth isn’t the original.
It’s a clone.

 

[Sixpactogo]

King Richard has a lot of records that will never be broken. IMO, his 67 GTX was his best. He won 27 races with it and 10 in a row that year. I don't remember which year it was that Chevrolet claimed Chevy was the winningest make in NASCAR racing but it took about 20 years without a Plymouth or Dodge competing. And that was with the France brothers help with sanctioning the Mopars out.

 

[MCODECUDA]

It’s highly doubtful that Petty or any circle track race car for that matter would run chrome wheels. For one chrome wheels were expensive and the other was for safety. Chrome peels when a wheel becomes damaged and could severely cut someone.

 

[padam]

It’s highly doubtful that Petty or any circle track race car for that matter would run chrome wheels. For one chrome wheels were expensive and the other was for safety. Chrome peels when a wheel becomes damaged and could severely cut someone.

I remember seeing some in the 80’s I think. All different colors.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Today your reasoning is sound, but in 1964 I saw chrome wheels on Petty's Plymouth, and I will admit I never saw them again.
My attached pic somewhat supports that, even with miles of racing grime on them. And keep in mind, tires weren't automatically changed every stop like in today's racing.

 

[autoxcuda]

In 1971 Petty's two car team was his 71 Plymouth and Buddy Baker in a #11 white and red Dodge Charger. He had two cars teams for years before but first with Plymouth and a Dodge I believe. Of course they tested both cars together.

The Charger had better aero.

 

[odcics2]

Chrome wheels.

 

[odcics2]

 

[j-c-c-62]

View attachment 1825844View attachment 1825845View attachment 1825846

Well that settles that I guess, , and FWIW, my last GN Nascar race I attended was 1970.

 

[Budnicks]

View attachment 1825840
Chrome wheels.

The wheels were actually 'nickel plated' & not chromed, but still were polished

there was an article about it somewhere, just recently
may have been on here, I saw it

have a nice day

 

[j-c-c-62]

The wheels were actually 'nickel plated' & not chromed, but still were polished

there was an article about it somewhere, just recently
may have been on here, I saw it

have a nice day

There are "chromed" wheels pictured above that others shared. Those are not simply polished nickel. I saw chrome wheels in 1964. Chrome is not polished, it's a nearly clear thin very reflective hard coating that enhances, seals and protects the plated nickel (and copper?) underneath.
I have no idea why anyone would go to the trouble on a number one race team to nickel plate and polish wheels and not finish chrome plating them back then. Even the mid-priced Crager SS aftermarket wheels were mostly chromed. I don't know of any wheels that were only polished nickel, of any real popularity. Chrome toxicity concern was not a significant issue in 1964.

 

[odcics2]

Those Petty 15x9 Nascar wheels always reminded me of the 15x8 Lil' Red Express wheels.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

And that sweet '64 Plymouth Belvedere that he drove! It was the first appearance of the 426 Hemi engine in NASCAR racing. Shown here is a tribute car, which includes many parts from the original, on display at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC . . .

View attachment 1736834View attachment 1736835

the reason why I have 1967 Plymouth GTX