back in the late 70's we experimented with modified triumph herald pistons
to come up with a stomper 1400 cc spridget motor. it was not mine, but
belonged to an old friend. it was outfitted with split webers and was the
type of engine legends were made of. it was the first time i saw a spridget
do a smokey burn out! it has been almost 20 years since i have seen my
friend and he probably wouldn't remember the exact machine work needed.
but, the 1275s that i built was good for snuffing out small block corvettes
street racing from light to light in beautifull scenic downtown allentown
pennsylvania back when crusing was still legal here. yes they decided that
crusing was causing a rise in prostitution and drugs combined with a drop in
sales at local stores along the aerea where we cruised. i will not say
that there was none of that stuff. but honestly did not see much ,
considering the time i invested crusing and socialising along those streets.
now, breaking the law street racing.........that's another story!
since then a law allowing authorities to ticket cruisers seen passing
specific points more than twice in a given time period all but killed
cruising here. for a while they also tried blocking the main road evry
other light and making traffic turn onto one way side streets to deter
cruising. another venue to meet others interested in cars had been crushed
by the local merchants assoc.. and what amazes me is other aereas have
discovered cruise nights as an opertunity for income now and here we sit
all polished up and nowhere to show off. some local car clubs have cruise
nights but they occupy mall parking lots. still no real sights like it was
bumper to bumper, light to light, cool rides and the wonderfull sounds of
cammed toys. and i was there with my sprite back in the 70's. man do i
miss it! ( i also had a 56 chevy that was a toy to be reconed with)
so we headed out to the country to race but the roads were not as nice and
street racing died a slow death. but the sprite lives on now as a vintage
racer hillclimbing. once again going like heck on public roads as fast as
you can and legally! with a lic. to do it to boot! so i say to the
authorities who chastised me back
then.................rrrraaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
chuck.
a serious 1275 will get you noticed in a crowd!(as long as your axles and
first gear can handle it)
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