What is amazing is what used to do with cars, with that much power, with the tiny bias ply's they came with. And mediocre brakes. Can you imagine stepping back to that as compared to the sticky tires, shocks, 4-wheel disc that are out now?
A friend of mine, since passed, built a '71 Camaro a few years back. Put a 502FI crate motor in it. But, he did not want to modify the stock body. So, he was stuck with stock-ish size tires... It was a neat car, but all it wanted to do is roast the back tires...
In regards to what we used to do, one of the changes I see locally, is no place to do those things any more. Dad, and then I, grew up just east of Sacramento Ca. In the late '50's, him and my Grandfather had a stock car(dirt track). After running the three nearby tracks Fri night, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon circuit, Dad would often yank the motor from the race car Sunday night, and drop it in his '32 Ford pickup. Then he'd go hot-rod around, and during the week build another motor for the race car.
All the places he used to hot-rod, and the places I went fast, are filled with too much housing and traffic now. I would not think of doing that stuff now, cause there is just to many people and traffic; used to be lonely country roads.
When we were young we did alot of stupid things kid's nowdays wouldn't believe. We used to be fun and take alot of chances. Some of still do, only on another level.
