ejw71 Posted March 28, 2003 Share Posted March 28, 2003 The Cannonball Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was held five times during the 1970s. This 2,900 mile race started in New York City and ended in Redondo Beach, CA. A 1970 Monte Carlo 454 SS ran in the 1972 event. Its top end was 140 mph, had Koni shocks and Goodyear radials. A second gas tank allowed for a 42 gallon capacity, a 400 miles range. At 1580 miles the THM 400 was slipping in high gear. At Gene Smith Chevrolet in Elk City, OK a group of after hours determined mechanics got a trans from Texas and the Monte was ready in eight hours. However, the Monte was returned to NY as winning was now impossible. The 70 1st Gen was 25 minutes in the lead when the trans gave out. The goal was to make the trip in 32 hours. Elk City, OK was reached in 18 1/2 hours, a 85 mph average. So, 2900 mile, 85 mph average is 34 hrs 7 minutes plus 8 hours equals 42h,7m. Had the Monte continued on it is conciveable it could have finished 15th. Ed ------------------ '71 Black 406/700R4 '71 Sandalwood SS454 '71 Project Polo Green II/346LS1/4L60E/12bolt posi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted March 28, 2003 Share Posted March 28, 2003 I don't know Ed, but it sounds like you were the one in the drivers seat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejw71 Posted March 28, 2003 Author Share Posted March 28, 2003 Would have liked to have been in the drivers seat. Just know that 454 was cook'n. Thought is was interesting info about a 1st Gen in a most illegal race. Reporting was from book on the Cannonball by Brock Yates, race creator and former editor of "Car and Driver" magazine. One guess why he's a former editor. Ed [This message has been edited by ejw71 (edited 03-28-2003).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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