Robin (UK)

The first change I made to my Plymouth was to add a split manifold and dual exhausts - and the difference was huge. The motor ran far more freely and with greatly increased torque through the range. Here is some period info, which also shows an increase in power with dual exhausts, but after the other changes had already been made. Two pages attached. Two to follow.

Hey Ron, That would be great. Dates for 2015 will be announced in November, once tide tables are published. Pit Passes are only available to VHRA members and their guests - and numbers are limited - but if you let me know that you're coming I will do my best to get them for you (and Heather). Hope to see you on the sand. Robin.

More pictures surfacing on the web...

Hope you do, Simon. I guess you know that Steve was there. And Mick raced his Model A.

Chris (Victoredaye on here) has a Charlotte Ivory car, here in the UK.

Here is a list of the full-bodied cars that raced, ranked in order of fastest speed. Dean's was the fastest 6, beating four out of six V8 flatheads and all three OHV inline sixes. Amazingly good results for the Plymouths. Looks like we'll be enjoying an enduring battle with the L6 Chevy boys. Classes are as follows: L - Late Engine (Post 54) V - Vintage Engine (Pre 54, including all Ford Flatheads) 6 or 8 - Number of Cylinders F - Flathead K - Full Bodied Car 149 Danny Townsend (37 Ford Conv) L8/K – 102.13 (ran on LPG) 214 Steve Humphries (39 Ford Coupe) L8/K – 98.21 52 Dan Parker (40 Ford Sedan) V8F/K – 89.21 57 Clark Devey (Chopped 36 Ford Coupe) V8F/K – 81.96 46 Dean Walker (Chopped 46 Ford Coupe) L8/K – 81.88 235 Dean Crane (48 Plymouth Sedan) V6F/K – 77.96 87 Robin Weathersbee (47 Plymouth Conv) V6F/K – 77.58 223 Stephen Coombes (40 Chevrolet Coupe) L6/K – 77.26 300 Tim Glover (40 Chevrolet Coupe) L6/K – 75.01 30 Chris Howell (48 Chev Panel Wagon) L6/K – 74.55 232 Chris Reynolds (46 Plymouth Conv) V6F/K – 74.40 84 Darren Thatcher (46 Ford Coupe) V8F/K - 73.99 216 Paul Newton (37 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe) V8F/K – 68.74 299 Roy Holmes (46 Ford Coupe) V8F/K – 59.81 3 Marco Warren (40 Ford Truck) V8F/K – 55.62

Thanks Niel, As you can see from Dean's results, it's probably just a case of becoming familiar with the feel of the car on sand . It's quite unnerving at speed so 80mph is our Holy Grail. Hoping at least one of us makes it next year.

Red shows record runs. Personal best speeds are highlighted yellow.

Andy, The tide goes out a long way. We were on the beach by about 10.30am. Racing started at about 11.15 and ran through 'til about 4.30pm. A friend got this picture of me coming back along the return road - you can see the track in the foreground. That water is a LONG way off. The photographer was standing in the dunes next to the beach.

Yes James. That picture was from last year's races. It's a great shot and I was very pleased to see it in RJ.

Here's a video of Dean's record-breaking run, shot from the top end of the track...

Engine and transmission Specs: Chris (232): Standard 218 with Fenton head, Fenton headers, Fenton intake, 2 Carter carbs. Standard transmission. 6.50x16 tires. Robin (87): Dodge 230 with Fenton head, Fenton headers, Sharp intake, 2 Carter carbs. OD transmission with fast 2nd. 6.00x16 tires. Dean (235): Freshly built 218 with Edgy fast road cam, Edgy head, Langdon headers, Edmunds water heated intake, 2 Carter carbs. Standard transmission. 6.70x15 tires. We ran the convertibles with the top up, to reduce drag. But we had all guessed that Dean would prove to be fastest. Planned changes for next year: Chris has an OD transmission on the way. I've just sold Dean a taller rear end. And he is already planning bigger rear tires. He also intends to remove the visor, to reduce drag. If he gets it right, he should break the 80mph mark. The race is already on!

Nice shot of the three cars. And one of the three drivers.

I'm just home from an amazing weekend at Pendine Sands in Wales. Over 120 pre-1949 cars and hot rods raced on the beach for 2 days. Three P15 Plymouths competed in class V6F/K (Vintage 6-Cylinder Flathead / Full bodied car). 1/2 mile run-up, to be timed flat-out over 1/16th of a mile. Results were: 3rd place: Chris 1946 P15 convertible 74.40 mph 2nd place: Robin 1947 P15 convertible 77.58 mph 1st place: Dean 1948 P15 2-door sedan 77.96 mph Congratulations to Dean who is now the class record holder. (as you can see, the newer your car, the faster it is!) Here's a great picture of Dean's car as he finished the record-breaking run. Chris and I were fortunate to be at the top end of the track to record this. It's hard to believe this shot was taken about 60 hours ago, rather than 60 years ago...

Thanks Bill, Good luck with yours, too.

Thanks Greg, Advice is to run high pressures so I've packed a pump!

Ready for the off... I will be heading to Wales in the morning for the VHRA Hot Rod Races on Saturday and Sunday. This year, the old lady will be wearing her skirts, in an attempt to improve streamlining and squeeze a little more speed out of her. I'll be meeting with Dean and Chris to travel there in 3-Plymouth convoy. Will post pictures next week.

He has a P15 Club Coupe, too, Chris.

You're so right, guys. Sometimes I struggle to find a parking space...

I met the owner of this '51 convertible at the weekend. It was the car's first time out, following a 3-year restoration. I saw the 'before' pictures - the owner's done an amazing job.

Dean's car sits level. It's only nose high in the picture because he's hard on the gas, off the line.

The course was 1/2 mile run up with cars timed through a flying 1/8th mile. Supposedly flat out, but I need longer to get my Plymouth up to full speed!

My fastest run at Pendine Sands last year (74.5mph) was with the top up. It was my third run (of three). The other two I ran with top down. Not sure if it was aerodynamics or courage that enabled me to go fastest but I will be taking my first run with top up when we hit the sand again in three weeks' time. In any case, I predict that Dean will set a new class record, in his sedan. There's certainly no need for me to worry about my hair, Don!

Just came across this picture of Dean getting out of the traps ahead of Chris in his convertible...

Perhaps green for Dodge, orange for Plymouth? Can anyone confirm if my bezel is correct for Plymouth?