[Cal Metal]

Depending on their factory options, they ran in a class which was then known as B/SP and A/SP, AA/SP and, perhaps, A/SP Modified, although I don't think that was an NHRA designation. This also varied from sanctioning body to sanctioning body, as well (NHRA v. AHRA). Because they were running stock class, the cars had to be fairly stock (factory RPO options) only. Back then cars were classed according to their weight (stock classes) and cubic inch displacement and advertised/factory h.p. If you ran a '55 Chev with a 327 that put you into a modified production class which was horrifically competitive. The reason was that the 327 wasn't a factory engine in '55 (nor was the 283 for that matter). Depending on the type of motor option you received from SAI, that would determine your position in Sport Production (in this case, A or B).

I will pull out some of the literature on this. They were real contenders and set many records in class, although I don't think they ever won a National eliminator title. The six NHRA divisions back then (some of you older drag racers help me out here) were Stock, Street, Super Stock, Competition, Super Eliminator, Top Gas (dragsters), Top Fuel. Funny cars came later 60s as did Pro Stock.

The Harr Ford 427 had a contentious history and if Ron can go back to the archives, I wrote a lengthy piece on that one that came from the Registry. My memory is not so great on this but I would suspect they ran in a stock class unless they moved into modified and that would have them in "Street" and that was a tough category to run in. Sorry for the rambling..............