A Special Swinger Special

 
 

Mark Swartzlander of Chicora, PA purchased this Slant 6, 4-speed, 76 Swinger Special 7 years ago. He drove the stock car for a few years and, after a spun bearing, built a better /6 for it. He drove it this way for a while longer until he heard a rumor of a 500 incher for sale locally. At the time, the car was receiving a re-paint, but as soon it returned, out it went to the chassis shop to ready it for the 500.

The car was mini-tubbed 3", the SS springs were moved under the rails, and a b-body rear was narrowed and filled with Moser axles for 10" brakes, and a set of 4.10 gears. 15x10 wheels hold a set of 27x10.5 Hoosier Quick Time Pros. Next the trunk was flattened and braced to accept the 15 gal. fuel cell and aluminum battery box. An Alston 12 point cage with swing-out side bars was then added, along with frame connectors and a driveshaft loop. A set of bucket seats and five point harnesses were added inside, along with a few gauges. Otherwise, the interior is basically stock.

Front suspension is entirely stock, right down to the 9" drum brakes. Mark says the car stops better than most would think. A lift-off 'glass Hemi hood was added for clearance and to give it the right "look".

Now, underneath that 'glass hood lurks something far different than the Leaning Tower this car came with.

A .060 over 440 contains a 4.15 crank bringing the monster up to 500 big ones. 10.5 pistons keep it warm inside, and a .474" Street Hemi cam operates big valves in the mildly ported heads. A single plane intake holds an 850 Holley and a braided 3/8" line connects the mechanical pump to the cell out back. Pro-Parts partial fenderwells get the exhaust out and Mark says clearance is great with them. Even the starter is easily removed. A five-row polished radiator keeps it cool with the help of an electric fan and Summit catch can. A Cheetah shifter is hooked to a reverse manual 727 with a competition low gear set and 3000 stall converter from GER.  A TCI scattershield adds a little safety under the floor. The motor was originally in a 3600lb b-body and ran 12.60's.

Mark attends quite a few shows with the car, and won 2nd place in A-body at the Chrysler Classic in Norwalk last year. The car has also been signed by Mr. Norm, Ronnie Sox, Bullet Bob, And Bob Riggle, who owns the Hurst Hemi Under Glass.

Marks personal area of expertise is airbrushing, and all the brush work on the car is his own handy work. Small touches make a good thing great, don't ya think?

 
 
 

Mark has a few plans for the car this upcoming year. Taller tires, new cam, maybe even some juice to spice things up even further. One thing's for sure though....He's having a blast with it, and thats the most important reason to do anything.

 
 
 

E-MAIL MARK

 
 
 

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