Quick Inspection: '71 Hemi Charger DaytonaGary and Pam Beineke * Sharon, MAEngineType: MP 472 Hemi crate motorBlock: Cast iron, cross-bolted main capsOiling: High volume pump, 6-quart panCrankshaft: Forged steel, 4.150 strokeConnecting Rods: Forged steel, 71/416-inch boltsPistons: Forged, 9.0:1 compression, 4.250 boreCylinder Heads: Cast iron, stainless steel 2.25/1.94 valvesCamshaft: Hydraulic flat-tappet, 292 duration, 0.524/0.507 liftInduction: Dayclona Six Pack dual-plane intake manifold, three Holley 2300 two-barrelsIgnition: MP electronic ignition systemExhaust: 211/48-inch ceramic-coated headers, Challenger T/A-style side outlet exhaust, '71 B-Body exhaust tipsCooling: Micro-tube radiator core, stock tanks, fan shroud, seven-blade fanPower: 570 hp at 6,000 rpm
DrivetrainTransmission: Keisler Tremec five-speed manual, McLeod street twin clutchRearend: Strange Dana 60, 4.10:1Driveshaft: Keisler chrome-moly custom balanced
ChassisFront Suspension: Polyurethane bushings, MP 0.96-inch torsion bars, 111/48-inch sway bar, KYB gas shocks, Steer & Gear fast-ratio power-steering boxRear Suspension: MP heavy-duty leaf springs, 1-inch sway bar, KYB gas shocksFront Brakes: Factory 11-inch slotted discsRear Brakes: Slotted discs from Stainless Steel Brakes
Wheels & TiresWheels: Wheel Vintiques Magnum 500 15x7 front, 15x8 rearTires: BFG 255/60-15 and 275/60-15
Body & PaintBody: Dayclona Charger aero kit and louvers, '71 Ramcharger hood, factory ASC sunroof installed by DayclonaPaint: DuPont basecoat/clearcoat '70 Spinnaker White by DayclonaGraphics: G-Series Daytona markings by Signdesigninc.com
From NASA to NASCAR: Gary Romberg SpeaksIf you've never heard of Gary Romberg, don't worry. He's one of the many unsung heroes behind Chrysler's NASCAR race program. A Chrysler employee from 1961 to 2002, Gary spent several years as an aerodynamicist for the Chrysler space division doing research on the NASA Saturn 1 booster rocket. In 1968 his aero expertise earned him a spot on the team that developed the '69 (E-Series), '70 (F-Series) and abortive '71 G-Series wing car programs. Here is a paraphrased interview. For even more interview material with Romberg and fellow G-Series development team members George Wallace and Larry Rathgeb, log onto HOTROD.com.
Q Compared to the '70 SuperBird and '69 Charger Daytona, how efficient were the restyled '71 models?A Though they look sleeker, the fact is the '71 cars were not as good. They were wider and presented a greater cross-sectional area that was an immediate disadvantage.
Q How far did the '71 wing car program get before NASCAR changed the rules?A Not very far. We spent six to eight weeks in the Wichita State University wind tunnel in early 1970 testing various nose cones, wings, fairings, rooflines, and windshield configurations. Because the facility was too small for a fullsize car, we had to make due with highly detailed 31/48-scale models.
Q Did Chrysler make any fullsize '71 SuperBirds or Charger Daytonas?A None whatsoever. We only got as far as the 31/48-scale wind-tunnel test models. The minute NASCAR outlawed aerodynamics packages, our work came to a screeching halt.
Q Did the styling department have any input into how the 31/48-scale models looked?A No, on our own, me and the other guys on the small team came up with the nose shapes, wings, and body modifications. We recorded our findings in a thick blue book and presented it to management for further consideration. As such, during the limited time we tested the G-Series models, there was no input from the styling department. As far as we were concerned, their involvement was limited to picking the color but not the shape, and management backed us up on this. The stylists were mad as hell, but I think we would have been allowed to continue because we were so successful on the track.
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