The elusive 2% cars.

fullmetaljacket · Aug 28, 2019

So if no one will write the definitive editorial on these elusive and slippery cars, 8 in Total from 1964-1965, well then.... we will via a discussion here.
Here's a '64 sedan example shot by Hemi-itis. Note the front and rear wheel placements and wingless doors. Also note the tattle tale clearance cut out on the bottom front fender wheel well lip to clear the front tires.
Lots of aluminum parts that are not known of to exist. Let the rumors and misinformed collide. LOL

493 Mike · Aug 28, 2019

It's only cheating if you get caught!
Mike

fullmetaljacket · Aug 28, 2019

493 Mike said:
It's only cheating if you get caught!
Mike

Cheat neat.
This effort only shows that Chrysler was already thinking of wheel house play behind closed doors way earlier before the 10/15 AFX cars of '65. Perhaps to test the waters and see how much they could get away with.
I've had a few discussions with Al kirschenbaum and indeed there is a lot of mystery behind these gems with confusing factory build memos, actual stampings after midnight and testing of parts that eventually got axed from the plans.
If anyone is well versed in these, it would be him.

dave dodge · Aug 28, 2019

Always loved these cars and the mystery behind them !

fullmetaljacket · Aug 28, 2019

dave dodge said:
Always loved these cars and the mystery behind them !

How does one post up a picture of their car in the signature box? My car isn't a 2% by birth, but close enough for a DNA comparison.

33 IMP · Aug 29, 2019

Go to the yellow menu line at the top, clic on your forum name, full metal jacket, and your profile will arrive . Clic on avatar, and follow instructions. If i can do it, anybody can. Lol

khryslerkid · Aug 29, 2019

fullmetaljacket said:
How does one post up a picture of their car in the signature box? My car isn't a 2% by birth, but close enough for a DNA comparison.

It's called your "Avatar"

fullmetaljacket · Aug 29, 2019

khryslerkid said:
It's called your "Avatar"

Now ready for my closeup. Thanks fellas.

fullmetaljacket · Aug 30, 2019

fullmetaljacket said:
Now ready for my closeup. Thanks fellas.

Here's a double dare y'a moment with two 2% cars going at it. There are rarely any photos of these hens tooth cars probably because of the intense secrecy behind them and the closed gate testing that they were under at the time.
Chryslers memo to NHRA announcing the cars early that year was rejected at the studio 54 door and the cars were subsequently relegated to FX status. From there, they flew and blew into a silent history.
Note the max wedge scoop on the Melrose car even though they both are running Hemi's in the nest, indicating it to be an early car with no parts available yet. Note front wheels on both cars. The rears were even harder to detect.

33 IMP · Aug 30, 2019

The front movement sticks out like a sore thumb, the rear is almost undetectable. I'm sure the forward movement had less positive effect than the rear, but it gave the game away! Did they have to move the front to keep the stock wheelbase cause nhra checked?

moparsteve636 · Aug 30, 2019

33 IMP said:
The front movement sticks out like a sore thumb, the rear is almost undetectable. I'm sure the forward movement had less positive effect than the rear, but it gave the game away! Did they have to move the front to keep the stock wheelbase cause nhra checked?

Yes! The cars had to retain the factory wheelbase. 119" for the Dodge and 116" for the Ply.

fullmetaljacket · Aug 30, 2019

moparsteve636 said:
Yes! The cars had to retain the factory wheelbase. 119" for the Dodge and 116" for the Ply.

The way I'm getting away with it is that my engine sits 2" back on the chassis, and the rear differential sits 2" forward, effectively achieving similar results. But then again, I'm outlaw or outlandish, so who cares. LOL.
The legit 2% cars had to run the engine in the stock location. Some of them even played with the seating positioning to cheat another inch of weight transfer. Photo credit: John Machaqueiro

33 IMP · Aug 30, 2019

Assuming one is willing to move, or lengthen the wheelwells, isn't about four inches forward movement possible? 20inch springs in place of 22s, redrill the front spring eyes mounting point another two? Maybe only three inches total without moving the wheel tubs?
@fullmetaljacket , are you using a 66-72 k member, or a custom lightweight?

khryslerkid · Aug 30, 2019

33 IMP said:
The front movement sticks out like a sore thumb, the rear is almost undetectable. I'm sure the forward movement had less positive effect than the rear, but it gave the game away! Did they have to move the front to keep the stock wheelbase cause nhra checked?

I have an old car magazine from '64 with pictures of the officials measuring Bill Jenkins wheelbase on his '64 Dodge. I just spent an hour looking for it. I'll find it sooner or later.

fullmetaljacket · Aug 30, 2019

33 IMP said:
Assuming one is willing to move, or lengthen the wheelwells, isn't about four inches forward movement possible? 20inch springs in place of 22s, redrill the front spring eyes mounting point another two? Maybe only three inches total without moving the wheel tubs?
@fullmetaljacket , are you using a 66-72 k member, or a custom lightweight?

fullmetaljacket · Aug 30, 2019

Nope, neither one. I am using my stock member with an engine plate.
Still on the hunt for a lightweight stainless K-member that isn't bent that won't bend my wallet. LOL.

Rumor has it that one or two of the 2% cars might have ran a supposed experimental magnesium k-member, but those didn't fare to well. No aluminum ones as far as I know, but you never know.

fullmetaljacket · Aug 31, 2019

fullmetaljacket said:
Nope, neither one. I am using my stock member with an engine plate.
Still on the hunt for a lightweight stainless K-member that isn't bent that won't bend my wallet. LOL.

Rumor has it that one or two of the 2% cars might have ran a supposed experimental magnesium k-member, but those didn't fare to well. No aluminum ones as far as I know, but you never know.

Here's the "Grump's" and "Strickler's" 2% car between FX rounds.

dvw · Sep 2, 2019

Mine has the axle 3" forward in the rear. I never liked the look of the front tires forward beyond stock, thus, stock location in the front. I thought about deleting the vents but wanted the front windows to go up and down. So its kind of a 2% with 113" wheelbase. The motor is up and back a little as well. this is as close to a side shot as I have.

Doug

fullmetaljacket · Sep 2, 2019

fullmetaljacket said:
View attachment 827743
Here's the "Grump's" and "Strickler's" 2% car between FX rounds.

dvw said:
Mine has the axle 3" forward in the rear. I never liked the look of the front tires forward beyond stock, thus, stock location in the front. I thought about deleting the vents but wanted the front windows to go up and down. So its kind of a 2% with 113" wheelbase. The motor is up and back a little as well. this is as close to a side shot as I have.View attachment 828283
Doug

DVW
Your car is beyond 2%. It is 100% track thug in such that a profile mug shot is appropriate and should be sent out to every track tower in the country. You are the un-usual suspect for sure. LOL.

I didn't mind the forward front wheels as much, but the reason I didn't go that route was because I would still be working on it till now with my kind of schedule. It's a tricky process to enabled that kind of modification. Even Mother Mopar did it very crudely back when.
I kept the wing windows on my doors because I want the windows to roll up and down as well and also deleting the wings distinguishes that delicate line between race car and street car.

No wings spells and screams race car as apposed to having wings that tends to fool the naked eye.

I believe Chrysler was cheating neat for a short while even before the official release of the percenters in '64. I say this because no one of the Mopar heads of state here ever remotely commented about any funny business with my rear wheel location.

33 IMP · Sep 3, 2019

Motor up and back a little.

The elusive 2% cars.

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