(^36) themotorhood.com
Despite the extent of the build, with a complete
QA1 tubular K-member with tubular upper and
lower A-arms and adjustable shocks, among
other impressive items, the pair say that the build
went remarkably smoothly — a few hiccups with
the transmission being the only major hurdle.
Being the ultimate Mopar build, the rear end
would see plenty of work, too — not just so that
Steve could fit the 275/60R15 Nitto 555 drag
radials but also so they’d actually hook up when
he smashed the loud pedal. For this seemingly
impossible task, Steve chose to go with Calvert
split mono-leaf springs supported by CalTracs
traction bars and every-which-way adjustable
QA1 shocks.
“Wellington has a great Mopar community, and
there’s always someone who turns up with an
obsolete part just when you need it. No money
exchanged; just return the favour one day!” Steve
says — knowing that, after all this, a few favours
are owed.
Looking at the car now, it’s hard to believe that it
came together so quickly and that it wasn’t built
top to bottom by a big-time business, just a few
mates with the right mix of know-how and can-
do — plenty of both being required.
Built tough
While the Tremec manual gearbox in the ’70 may
be a bunch of fun, for true drag performance, it’s
hard to go past an auto, especially if West Auckland
Engine Reconditioners’ Eric Livingstone has built it.
The ’69 uses a TorqueFlite 727, which now runs a
reverse-pattern manual valve body along with an
A&A chromoly output shaft and transbrake. This
sends power through a Howat Engineering three-
inch driveshaft to a Strange S60 diff. There are no
longer any OEM Chrysler parts inside the monster
diff casing, all having been replaced with an S-Trac
diff head, 3.73:1 gears, and 35-spline heavy-duty
street/strip axles. Tough!
WELLINGTON HAS A GREAT
MOPAR COMMUNITY, AND
THERE’S ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO
TURNS UP WITH AN OBSOLETE
PART JUST WHEN YOU NEED IT
frankie
(Frankie)
#1