Thread: Funny things we did with our hotrods in early 60's

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Ok I’ll jump in with a couple stories. I had a 1957 Corvette – 283 with a big quad and an all around fun car. It was pretty fast for the day and boy could it fry the tires – they were fairly skinny 15 inchers as I recall “7.50 x 15” blackwalls from the local Standard gas station. One night my buddy asked me, “Have you ever done a bleach burnout?” to which I replied, “No.” So it was off to the local grocery for a gallon of Clorox. Never having done a bleach burnout, we were both somewhat ignorant as to what the correct amount of bleach per tire was so we evenly divided the entire gallon of bleach in two nice pools – one in front of each rear tire. Well I rapped that little 283 up till the lifters clattered and dumped the clutch and man did those tires scream! While I never saw such, several of my friends swore the two molten strips of rubber were on fire. I do remember huge globs of melted tire stuck on the rear fenders and that the tires were ruined. Those two burnout marks stayed on that street for a long time.

On another occasion, my buddy says, “If you turn the key off while you’re going downhill and pump the gas, your car will backfire really loud when you turn the key back on.” Again, I followed advice from a peer that I should have ignored and we proceeded to get the Corvette up to about 60 on a downhill grade at which time I switched off the ignition and pumped the gas several times and turned the key back on. A backfire would be a vast understatement as it was more akin to a bomb and the car became noticeably louder. It was dark outside and I distinctly remember seeing two red hot images in my mirror which I can only surmise were once the cores of my Smithy’s.

I would not recommend either of the above activities. As I recall, there may have been alcohol involved and I’m pretty sure the new tires and mufflers were far more expensive than the enjoyment received as my father made sure I alone paid for maintenance on this car.

But after all - i was 16!!

Regards All,
Glenn

Originally Posted by glennsexton

On another occasion, my buddy says, “If you turn the key off while you’re going downhill and pump the gas, your car will backfire really loud when you turn the key back on.” Again, I followed advice from a peer that I should have ignored and we proceeded to get the Corvette up to about 60 on a downhill grade at which time I switched off the ignition and pumped the gas several times and turned the key back on. A backfire would be a vast understatement as it was more akin to a bomb and the car became noticeably louder. It was dark outside and I distinctly remember seeing two red hot images in my mirror which I can only surmise were once the cores of my Smithy’s.
Regards All,
Glenn

I used to do that in Lissie Prairie, when the ducks and geese were everywhere and it would make them rise up by the thousands, however, I was not as lucky as you, Glenn, I blew a head gasket. It didn't get louder but it sure ran differently hahahaha

Has anyone mentioned putting taters in the exhaust pipe, yet???? A good way to make an enemy real quick - - - that is IF you got caught - - - - and how about starting your Rod with it in gear? No wonder my Dad had ulcers and indigestion all the time !

I'll do the finish of those storys;
The butthead cop had given me two tickets for no fenders $10 then $20,one ticket for dim tail lights,it got tosted out by the court. And a ticket for no bumper $10 ,too say nothing of BS ones he gave most of the rest of our club. He did kind of wave the white flag by saying he'd desided to be nicer to all the kids,cuz he had the Christmiss feeling=made a point of telling us all together at The Big Wheel around Dec.1,this happened one day after some one put a hole paper bag of red ants and sand nest inside his car when he had been taking a pee in mens room. Latter he must of asked for a beat in some other part of town,we never saw him again after new years 1960.