A Couple of Corrections From an Old Guy

The '60-'62 Valiants and Lancers had a 106.5" wheelbase and weighed as little as 2,510 lbs. With 450 h.p. at the rear wheels, the power/weight ratio in one of these early cars would be about 5.5.

By 1968 the Valiant weighed 3350 lbs., partly because the body was about 4" wider and the wheelbase had been increased to 108". Such a car would require about 610 h.p. at the rear wheels to have the same power/weight ratio as the early car with only 450 h.p.

"Have you gone to the drag strip yet?"

No, because my launch technique is too lousy. I have to feather the throttle too much off the line, so it doesn't really prove anything. I'm afraid that if I give it too much pedal off the line it will pop another wheelie, and the last time I did that the car made some really weird moves and when it came down it mashed my front valence and the alignment was off. I don't know how to keep the car going straight when it starts carrying its front wheels. And a stock front end isn't designed to handle wheelies, is it?