I have noticed the vintage published track times and trap speeds are much slower than current times/speeds for the same model cars, even when the current cars are supposedly stock (Cars and Zebras). Some of the differences are significant (over 10 mph increase in trap speed and 2 seconds off quarter mile times). Tires have gotten better, but even some of the cars being tested aren't big block tire shredders and the have faster times now. Were the cars tested so detuned you could obtain 10 mph faster trap speeds in the quarter mile with a little tweaking? What else explains the difference?

 

Perhaps post whatever it is you are talking about.

 

1967 Coronet RT HEMI 125 mph and 11 seconds on cars and zebras. A less aggressive rear end was tested at 98 mph. The commentator thought tires were an issue. Couldn't find other original road tests for this car but a 69 roadrunner hemi 425 hp time was 13.4. I haven't seen vintage road tests for any car at 125 mph. . I would need to do more digging, but in general, this is what I've seen (maybe not quite this extreme)

 

PURE Stock times would be the absolute max of tweaking, but, yes, tire technology has come a long way in 50 years.

 

Concrete start lines and track prep have made a huge difference in 60' times.

 

Also tire technology. Note that NHRA Stock-prepped cars have always been significantly quicker than magazine tests of "stock" cars.

 

A lot of the cars that compete in the F.A.S.T. class LOOK stock, but are far from stock. I recall a Hemi Challenger that was a highly modified 580 plus striker engine, making something like 800 hp, while looking stock. Plus all the hidden chassis tweaks, converter improvements, obviously tire and track prep, hidden electronic engine controls, all help do today what was impossible 50 years ago.



watch this, this guy discusses some of the tricks.

 

The key words are "LOOK STOCK". Its comparing apples to oranges.

 

Considering that F.A.S.T. stands for Factory APPEARING Stock Tire....

 

you would have to look at the rules a specific organization is playing with - stock, pure stock, FAST all have different rules - none I believe are as delivered "showroom stock"