Early aero car

[Photon440]

Although high speeds became common at the end of the 1960s, especially with the Dodge Daytona breaking the 200 mph. barrier, early in the decade things were still more leisurely. Bill France had boasted of the safety of the Daytona Beach Speedway and posted a $10,000 prize for the first person to break 180 mph. This was Bob Osiecki's attempt at the prize.

Originally a research vehicle for high speed tire testing by a tire company, Osiecki bought it in 1961 and replaced the Pontiac power with a Dodge 413, complete with Hillborn supercharger and injection to develop 840 horsepower.

After months of testing, breaking records at over 177 miles per hour, finally in August 1961 the magic 180 mark was broken with a final number of 181.561 mph. He managed to burn up 14 sets of tires in a single week during practice for that lap, burning 8 gallons of fuel per lap to do it!

 

[Detective D]

It is always important to remember these guys were doing stuff like this with 4ply nylon cord tires with the manufacturers having what, like 30 years of tire manufacturing technology at the time?
Surprised he didn't light a cigarette half way around.

 

[Photon440]

It is always important to remember these guys were doing stuff like this with 4ply nylon cord tires with the manufacturers having what, like 30 years of tire manufacturing technology at the time?
Surprised he didn't light a cigarette half way around.

Well that's true, however the tire manufacturers also had recent experience with heavy loading and high speeds with aircraft tires. They had a steady learning curve since the 1911 Indy race that was won on Firestones with a 2 1/2" contact patch.