From the 2006 archives ...

n November

 454 Chevy ready to haul

Jim's Car Shop delivered a 454 Chevy to Russ Kettner of Oshkosh on Nov. 19, 2006. Russ plans to use the engine in his Chevy Suburban as a daily driver. He was looking for fuel economy and torque to pull trailers and other items. Jim's Car Shop outfitted the engine with Holly carbs, Weiand intake manifold, Isky hydraulic roller cam shaft, lifters, push rods, valve spring kit, Speed Pro forged piston, stock rods and crank and MSD Chevy wire and ignition system. During dyno testing, the engine put out 540 ft lbs torque @ 3,600 rpm and 430 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm using 93 octane pump gas. Thanks Russ for your support, and have fun with your new powerhouse!

n August

NHRA gets hooked up with the Nynes

NHRA was delivered its new 9co Applicator at O’Reilly Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006, just in time for the U.S. nationals. John Crosby Jr. and the NHRA safety safari staff were very excited to get their hands on their new traction compound applicator. John and his staff had many questions for The Nynes Co. Most importantly, they wanted to be sure they would be able to provide a better racing surface than they had in the past. With record elapsed time and mile per hour numbers and the tightest fields ever seen in all pro categories, this is a key issue for the NHRA. The Nynes Co. is happy to help the organization achieve its goals. Jay Hullinger, NHRA division 3 director, has seen first-hand what the 9co Applicator can do at numerous Midwest drag strips, including RT 66 Raceway and National Trail Raceway. The Nynes Co. would like the thank Jay and the NHRA for their support. If you get a chance to attend an NHRA national event, look for the 9co Applicator and the safety safari crew and show them your appreciation!

n September

455 Pontiac gets revved for the road

   

David Kidd of Kidd's Trucks Inc., Fort Atkinson, Wis., took delivery Sept. 22, 2006, of his 455 Pontiac engine, which will power his 1972 GTO (manual transmission). Jim's Car Shop put this behemoth on the dyno and its stats include a monstrous 435 horsepower at 5000 RPM and 490 ft/lbs torque at 3700 RPM. The motor has a 750cfm Holley double pumper carb; Edelbrock intake manifold; Crane Cams camshaft, lifters, push rods, valve springs and valve seals; Comp Cams retainers, valve locks and rocker arms; Cloyes timing chain and gear set; Manley stainless steel valves; Fel Pro gaskets; Melling oil pump; factory windage tray and Moroso replacement oil pan; and Speed Pro forged pistons and plasma moly piston rings. Jim's Car Shop wishes Kidd the best of luck with his GTO and thanks him for his support.

n July

Present meets past at Englehardt auto show

Click here to view photo gallery of this event

Jim Wick was thrilled to get a personal invitation from Fred Englehardt to attend his annual customer appreciation day and auto show in Elkton, Minn, on July 29, 2006. The theme of this year's auto show was 1968 Hemi Darts and Barracudas. Thirty-two original Darts and Barracudas were among the 300 other cars displayed at the event, which included the car show and awards, swap meet, jet cars and a lunch. What a wonderful event, and it was all free to public. Jim was among an esteemed group of notable racers from the late 60s and early 70s in attendance, including Arnie Beswick, Larry Griffith, Don Grotheer, Dick Landy Butch Leal, Judy Lilly, Buddy Martin, Gary Ostrich, Joe Smith, Lee Smith, Diane Sox, Jack Thomas, Arlen Vanke and Linda Vaughn. Jim was reunited with his own 1968 Barracuda (photos above) for the first time since the late 1970s and met its new owner, Danny Smith. Smith has Jim's 68 car in his collection of classics, which includes 1968 Dart originally raced as "Dragon Lady" Shirley Shahan's car. Thanks to Fred for the invite. We had a great time!

Mopars lay rubber at Great Lakes

The Jim's Car Shop crew met with many customers including John Grinwald and Rich Berlisk (cars pictured above) at the 9th annual Great Lakes Mopar & AMC Festival in Union Grove, Wis., July 23, 2006. The cars were hot, swift and the action was lots of fun. Best wishes for a great racing season!

It was a dark and stormy night and distress call went out; Jim's Car Shop was on the ready ..... Well not exactly. New Jersey resident Mark Innocenzi was in a pickle on July 14, 2006. He was in Wisconsin for a vintage sportscar race and he'd blown his motor. A short hunt led Mark to Jim's Car Shop. After checking it out, Jeff Wick determined the fixes could be made before the Sunday races. A small crew worked all night Friday and into Saturday morning. The engine was overhauled -- it got all new bearings, reground crank shaft, rehoned cylinders, reconditioned connecting rods, and was reassembled with new gaskets. All of the hard work paid off -- Mark was a top qualifier and finished fifth overall in his 1969 Tony Delorenzo Owens Corning Corvette. The car is one of three like it in existence, having been among the vehicles races by the OCF team led by Tony Delorenzo and Jerry Thompson who produced a historical run of 22 victories in SCCA competition in 1969 and 1970. This was a cool experience for the Jim's Car Shop crew, who were happy to help. Many thanks to United Auto Parts Plus for putting in the extra weekend hours to get the machining work done and help with assembly. Best of luck to Mark Innocenzi and his racing crew!

n June

Joliet now has a backup sprayer

The crew at Route 66 raceway in Joliet, Ill., took delivery June 6, 2006, of its second 9co traction Applicator from the Nynes Co. just in time for its national event. Charlie and Chris felt is was necessary to have a second sprayer to ensure track quality and preparation at all times. At that national event, NHRA officials made Route 66 an offer to take the new 9co Applicator off its hands, but Charlie and Chris declined. A few days later, the Nynes Co. took an order from NHRA for its own applicator. The Nynes Co. appreciates Route 66's continued support and positive feedback about our product. If you are in the area, stop in at Route 66 to see the outstanding facility. 

n May

Carolina Dragway gets sticky

The Nynes Company crated up its latest 9co Applicator on May 8, 2006, for shipment to Carolina Dragway. The Jeff Miles family put their new traction compound sprayer into operation on May 12, 2006. Jeff, Carmen and the Nynes Company crew thanks the Miles family for their business and wishes them continued success with this summer's the racing season.

Jim Wick gets mentioned in nostalgia Super Stock book

He pulled all the greats together for a group interview and swap session, then wrote a book about. Jim Wick's experience in Super Stock racing in the 1960s gets mention in Jim Schild's book "Maximum Performance: Mopar Super Stock Drag Racing 1962-1969." The book is an incredible resource for nostalgia enthusiasts. Wick's name gets mentioned among the Midwest's most notable racers and a photo of his 1968 Barracuda is included. The hardcover book is 160 pages of black and white and color photos, text and technical details. It is published by Motorbooks International and retails for $40. For more information, visit www.theautoreview.com.

n April

JCS decal: if you don't got one, get one

Jim's Car Shop is proud to unveil its newly designed decal in April, 2006. Many customers proudly display it on their vehicles and other assembly parts from Jim's Car Shop. If you don't have one, you better get one. Call Jim's Car Shop, 920-922-7530, or e-mail jeff@jimscarshop.com, for details.

Kunzer's big block Chrysler tuned up, ready to run

Kunzer Racing took delivery April 18, 2006, of its updated 477 big block Chrysler engine. The Kunzer Racing engine was in for its annual check up and left with a clean bill of health for the upcoming drag racing season. Last season at Wisconsin International Raceway, Kaukauna, Wis., Kunzer Racing finished 10th in points in the Top Eliminator category. Jim's Car Shop thanks Kunzer Racing for there continued support and wish them the best of luck in this season.

A couple tuners, upgrades for Almost NOS

It was April 13, 2006, when Almost NOS Racing's 580 cid Nostalgia Super Stock motor met the dynamometer. After off season maintenance and a few upgrades, including a Jesel belt drive system, Moroso Vac pump system, and synthetic oil, the engine was ready to get put to the test. The results were better than expected and actually resulted in a performance gain. The engine produces 902 hp @  6800 rpm and 787 ft/lbs of torque @ 5200 rpm. This should make the 1962 Dodge Dart fly down the quarter mile.

It was just a day later, April 14, 2006, that Almost NOS's 499 cid Nostalgia Super Stock motor got its turn on the dynamometer. This engine is for a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere, which last season had a 440 cid motor in it. The motor uses a 400 Mopar block, aluminum main caps and studs, Eagle 4.150 stroke crankshaft, Eagle 6.700 4340 ESP Connecting Rod, Venolia flat top piston, Hoffman Tool Steel wrist pins, Sealed Power piston rings, Jesel belt drive system, Cam Motion camshaft and Manton push rods. Other items on the engine came off of the 440 from last season. With the help of VP C-12 racing fuel, the 499 engine made 742 hp @ 6800 rpm and 642 ft/lbs of torque @ 5200 rpm. This combination should prove to be very competitive for the team.

n March

A little TLC for Byron Dragway's 9co Applicator

On March 31, 2006, Byron Dragway (The Playground of Power) took delivery of its updated 9co Applicator. The sprayer was in need of some well deserved TLC, repair and revamping. Nynes Co. staff cleaned all components and replaced those not in good condition. Repair were made to two spray bars and a replacement spray bar was made. A new stainless tank also was built for use with any traction compound the track desires. In all, the 9co Applicator was in brand new condition when it was received. We would like to thank, Ron, BJ and the staff at Byron Dragway for their support and we invite everyone to stop in and see them this season, especially now with the track's expanded hours.

Almost Nos gets its Dodge Dart in gear

On March 29, 2006, Almost NOS took delivery of a Chrysler Dana 60 rear axle housing prepared by Jim's Car Shop. This housing is scheduled for duty in the team's 1962 Dodge Dart. The housing was narrowed to the proper dimensions and outfitted with Strange Mopar housing ends, Strange 35 spline light weight spool, Mopar Performance leaf spring perches, Strange 1350 series forged pinion yoke, and a 4.30-ratio Richmond Pro gear. Look for more about the 1962 Dodge Dart very soon. Jim's Car Shop would like to thank the guys at Almost NOS for the support and hope they have a successful racing season.

Jim's Car Shop goes to annual swap meet

The Fondy Vintage Auto Club Inc. held its annual Auto Parts Swap Meet on March 19, 2006, at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds in Fond du Lac, Wis. Jim's Car Shop once again had a booth with plenty of hi-performance gear. The event featured antique, classic, custom and performance parts plus other related automobile memorabilia and model cars. The folks at Jim's Car Shop would like to thank everyone for coming out for another great year.

New 9co Applicator delivered to track in Indiana

On March 4, 2006, U.S. 41 dragway received a delivery from The Nynes Company, its 9co Applicator. Denny Rich and the staff at U.S. 41 Dragway in Indiana are making a number of upgrades and changes to the facility. Not only do they own a 9co Applicator, they are also an IHRA-sanctioned track again. Other improvements include lighting, landscaping, painting and polishing. The Nynes Company would like to thank U.S. 41 Dragway and invite everyone to visit Denny Rich and the staff there for a great day of racing at a great facility.

n February

Chevy behemoth roars on the dyno

On Feb. 11, 2006, Tony Orlando took delivery of his 427 Chevy engine. Tony, from Green Bay, Wis., is completing the assembly of his 1968 Chevy Camaro. Tony's 427 Chevy makes 538 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 523 ft/lbs of torque at 4700 rpm. Some of the goodies on Tony's motor include a 850 cfm Mighty Demon carb, Edelbrock dual plane intake, Edelbrock Performer Hydraulic camshaft, Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rockers and pushrods, GM Performance valve covers, SRP forged pistons, Eagle SIR rods, Edelbrock cast timing cover, MSD pro billet distributor and Moroso spiral core spark plug wires. The 427 has a 10.00 to 1 compression ratio and runs on premium pump gas. After a session on the dyno, Jim's Car Shop installed a March Ind. dual belt serpentine system to the front of the engine. The back of the engine got a new McCleod clutch, bellhousing, clutch fork and clutch linkage. Bolted to the new bellhousing is a new Trimac five-speed transmission. Jim's Car Shop would like to thank Tony for his support and invite everyone to look at the customer car pages soon for his vehicle and engine.

Jim's Car Shop  n  Fond du Lac, WI  n  920-922-7530  n   jeff@jimscarshop.com