Notes on some of my 285HP 56 Pont research – Rick Sorgen 12/15/2005
- conversation w/ Chuck Longley, Deland FL 1/9/2003
o Knows of 2 dr post 56 Pont w/ 2x4 , may have been Vernon Blank’s, who worked for Smokey Yunick
- Tiny Lund also raced a 56 Pont for Bill Smith, Owner of Speedway Motors
- John Hargrove indicated Jan 03
o He has restored two 56 Safari dual quad setups.
o Mentioned name of Lynn Dawson one owner
o Also noted Pontiac 57 dual quad research that never saw production, from Carter blueprints.
o Fully restored 56 dual quad setup $10,000.00
o He has found the 56 developmental manifolds more common than production
o Believes 56 NASCAR Pontiacs were automatics, not sticks
o Is doing 4 part series of articles ( I do not note what magazine) including rebuild 3x2 1959, and 56 dual quad
- conv w/ Rick Gonser Jan 2003
o There were 200 to 205 1956 dual quad manifolds
o 106 in manual transmissions
o Junior Johnson wrecked 5
- Conv w/ Bob Holan 1/14/2003
o Engineer for Pontiac 1956
o Did not work directly for dual quad program however recalled
§ He was in Daytona in 56’ thought they were all a bunch of drunks
§ 56 dual quad was used in drag racing
§ There was controversy re Ab Jenkins in what he was doing, engineering, missing funds etc.
§ Smokey Yunick would test modifications, mostly preformed worse
- Conv w/ Bob Newill Jan 2003
o Engineer for Pont 1956
o Corporate wanted to look good in racing results
o He was with Ab Jenkins in Bonneville
o Worked on exhaust manifolds for Smokey Yunick
o Engineers for the Rochester dual carbs and possibly engine project, Ed Ekinmier (sp?) ( deceased), Bob Aldrich, John Williams, Dwight Teagarden, John Sawruk
- Conv w/ Mac McKeller 1-15-2003
o Typically the developmental castings were hand cast by several sources, possible reason for the small and large casting numbers
o Engineering would provide wooden pattern