Info about Brock Yates' '72 Challenger Cannonball car.

[Super Blue 72]

This post is inresponse for more info on this car from another post. 


 

Car and Driver March, 1984 did a very nice article with spec sheet on this car.  A very nice write up which you can get by going to your local library to ask them to get copies for you.  Unfortunately I don't have a scanner. 


The car was basically a stock '72 Challenger.  In the article there is no mention if it was a Rallye or not.  It did have some '73 trim as it was used at Chrysler for photographic purposes.  The article mentions it did have the Rallye suspension and trim package but that could have been  standard with the 340 engine (optional on base Challenger) but not necessarily the car being a Rallye car.

Mods to car as mentioned in article:
-35 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in addition to stock 18 gallon fuel tank
-(2) Carter fuel pumps and aircraft transfer switch thus increasing fuel capacity to 53 gallons
-increased rear leaf spring stiffness to compensate for extra weight of fuel
-spare tire moved to rear seat due to aux. tank
-increased roll bar diameter
-complete set of aftermarket gauges
-Scheel racing seats
-Cibie driving lights

Drivetrain
-340 engine balanced and blueprinted
-cylinder heads (stock?  ) ported
-timing slightly advanced
-Holley 850cfm 4 barrel
-7 quart oil pan
-TorqueFlite 727 tranny
-2.76 gears in a Detroit Locker for highway cruising.
-105 mph @ 3700rpm
-Top speed = 130mph at which "it could operate all day long"

-tires=Goodyear G60 Polysteel on Cragar slotted 8" rims
-Koni shocks
-Snooper Radar detector
-CB radio not used, stated as "unknown" at the time?
-front and rear spoilers

Performance
-250hp, 300lbs-ft
-top speed 130mph @ 4700rpm
-0-60mph=7.6 seconds, 1/4 mile=15.7
-70-0mph =218ft
-0.75g on skid pad
-13mpg



Above photos from http://www.cottonowens.com/Cannonball_Run.html

The car now sports different driving lights, tires and rims.




  Brock Yates also has a book out about the race.  His race inspired movies such as Gumball Rally, Cannonball, Cannonball Run, etc... 

Brock Yates was actually upset when the Gumball Rally came out because he wanted to make a similar movie.

Car and Driver did an article on The Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash back in 1972 and reprinted it in 2005.  I believe that this is NOT when this Challenger ran but it is the race previous.  Here's the link:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=9536


Check these links for more info on the race and book:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannonball_Baker_Sea-To-Shining-Sea_Memorial_Trophy_Dash
http://www.speednation.com/store/product1676.html
http://www.cottonowens.com/Cannonball_Run.html

[Blackcuda]

That's some great info on that Challenger, I'm just surprized that he didn't build the car with more top speed than 130mph.