C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

[Steven S.]

I was browsing for some figures on the '65 L78's quarter mile performance, and I found a few references to 14.1 @ 103 but I didn't see any further details such as who, when or where. For you '65 396 guys, how accurate do you feel those numbers are? Seems way far from the L72's 12.8 @ 112 (which from what I read was a factory "ringer"). And since I bought it up, how about real world L72 numbers?

Thanks,
Steve

[Edward S.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

I have had my L78 for 9 years now, never ran at the track, Even now though I feel the numbers in the article seem slow, in a straight line the car is pretty swift - I have a 3.70 rear. In talking to old timers that were into drag racing in the 60's the L78 engine was one of the strongest, most sought after engines around - which left many of them laying on the track. I always say that it can pass just about anything on the road except a gas station. I will be interested to see what type of replies come in.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Most high powered cars in that era were severely traction limited and "getting out of the hole" is the key to low quarter miles times, but speed at the end of the quarter-mile is primarily a function of power. Axle ratio has a big effect on ET, but somewhat less effect on speed at the end of the quarter-mile.

Magazine test times varied widely with Car and Driver typically being a half to one full second "faster" than Road & Track. Different test sites, weather conditions, test techniques, equipment.... It all added up to some significant differences.

The bottom line is that you have to take all those old road tests with a big grain of salt.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

mine ran 13.08 with road race tires. no mph clocks. mrs clem ran 13.09 the same day. she weighs less than me. all stock but super tuned by carb jetting, dist curve change with power timing and heat riser crossover blocked. it had a 4:10 rear gear

[Tim S.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

As Duke pointed out, the traction is the killer. In my youth, I ran a 65 L76 with 3.70 gears in the low 14's. I cannot remember the MPH. For comparison, my Father had a 400hp 67 (and still does) and while much more fun to drive, first and part of second gear were kind of useless once the end carbs came in.

With tire technology as it is today, I would think a 425bhp or 435bhp car could get into the 12's. Any of you guys paying attention to the pure stock drags or the FAST cars? That will make you think twice about sticking your nose up to bias ply tires.

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

I was browsing for some figures on the '65 L78's quarter mile performance, and I found a few references to 14.1 @ 103 but I didn't see any further details such as who, when or where. For you '65 396 guys, how accurate do you feel those numbers are? Seems way far from the L72's 12.8 @ 112 (which from what I read was a factory "ringer"). And since I bought it up, how about real world L72 numbers?

Thanks,
Steve

'65 L78 road tests:
Car Life: 14.1 @ 104
Road & Track: 14.1 @ 103

I only have the Car & Driver test of the '66 L72 (ringer!), but

'67 L71 road test:
Car & Driver: 13.6 @ 105

All very close in mph, which translates to installed power.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Here's one that "almost" won its class at Indy '67. Driven by Gene Alleman of Bossier City, Louisiana. It's a yellow 396 [I've got a poor copy of the dealer sales invoice somewhere]; IIRC the VIN is in the 21xxx range. His results are on the 8th line from the bottom of the list. Fastest time in C Sports, but disqualified for removing his spare tire carrier, in spite of the fact that he passed tech with it out . Runner-up also disqualified. I realize C/S is not exactly showroom stock, but close.

Gene dug into his desk and pulled out his original Indy time slip, and a 8 x 10 glossy (of an earlier victory), shown in the thumbnail below the big pics. He could'a won a Buddy Holly look-alike contest .

When trying to track down my car history (also a yellow 396 convertible from this region) I wrote down some of the weekend drag results from microfilms of the local newspapers and talked to a few of the locals that owned and raced L78's, when they became available from the dealers.

[William C.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

'67 c/sp rules for tires were much more liberal that the stock classes as I recall, I think it was an any rear tire that fit class, so likely a 9 or 10 inch drag slick, quite a performance improver from the 7.75 factory tire.

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Any of you guys paying attention to the pure stock drags or the FAST cars? That will make you think twice about sticking your nose up to bias ply tires.

Attending the Pure Stock Drags is on my "must attend" list for this September!

[William C.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Be careful reading the rules for the "pure" stock drags of today, some are very liberal in the engine arena, and the tires may be bias ply, but the compounds are nothing like anything available in the 60's including drag slicks of the era! Been there done that, NHRA Indy nationals stock class participant 1967-1971.
Supercar showdown class winner.

[Tim S.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Here's one that "almost" won its class at Indy '67. Driven by Gene Alleman of Bossier City, Louisiana. It's a yellow 396 [I've got a poor copy of the dealer sales invoice somewhere]; IIRC the VIN is in the 21xxx range. His results are on the 8th line from the bottom of the list. Fastest time in C Sports, but disqualified for removing his spare tire carrier, in spite of the fact that he passed tech with it out . Runner-up also disqualified. I realize C/S is not exactly showroom stock, but close.

Gene dug into his desk and pulled out his original Indy time slip, and a 8 x 10 glossy (of an earlier victory), shown in the thumbnail below the big pics. He could'a won a Buddy Holly look-alike contest .

When trying to track down my car history (also a yellow 396 convertible from this region) I wrote down some of the weekend drag results from microfilms of the local newspapers and talked to a few of the locals that owned and raced L78's, when they became available from the dealers.

That car looks bad ass with the steel wheels, slicks, and side exhaust. A great day 2 look!

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Be careful reading the rules for the "pure" stock drags of today, some are very liberal in the engine arena, and the tires may be bias ply, but the compounds are nothing like anything available in the 60's including drag slicks of the era! Been there done that, NHRA Indy nationals stock class participant 1967-1971.
Supercar showdown class winner.

Pure Stock is pure stock, and they tear 'em down!

FAST is factory appearing street tire and they are mountain motors.

[Steven S.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Here's one that "almost" won its class at Indy '67. Driven by Gene Alleman of Bossier City, Louisiana. It's a yellow 396 [I've got a poor copy of the dealer sales invoice somewhere]; IIRC the VIN is in the 21xxx range. His results are on the 8th line from the bottom of the list. Fastest time in C Sports, but disqualified for removing his spare tire carrier, in spite of the fact that he passed tech with it out . Runner-up also disqualified. I realize C/S is not exactly showroom stock, but close.

Gene dug into his desk and pulled out his original Indy time slip, and a 8 x 10 glossy (of an earlier victory), shown in the thumbnail below the big pics. He could'a won a Buddy Holly look-alike contest .

When trying to track down my car history (also a yellow 396 convertible from this region) I wrote down some of the weekend drag results from microfilms of the local newspapers and talked to a few of the locals that owned and raced L78's, when they became available from the dealers.

I think with that 118mph speed there were a few "tricks" done to that 'ol 396!

[Steven S.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

'65 L78 road tests:
Car Life: 14.1 @ 104
Road & Track: 14.1 @ 103

I only have the Car & Driver test of the '66 L72 (ringer!), but

'67 L71 road test:
Car & Driver: 13.6 @ 105

All very close in mph, which translates to installed power.

Bill, do those articles on the L78's tell what rear gear it was running?

Thanks for sharing!
Steve

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 1965 396 quarter mile performance?

Bill, do those articles on the L78's tell what rear gear it was running? ...

Steve -- Both the R & T and the Car Life L78 tests had a 3.70 rear -- probably the same car used for both magazines.