Generation 1 (NASCAR)

Last updated
Generation 1
NASCAR Hall of Fame (51417360812).jpg
Constructor Flag of the United States.svg Hudson
Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet
Flag of the United States.svg Ford
Flag of the United States.svg Plymouth
Flag of the United States.svg Oldsmobile
Flag of the United States.svg Pontiac
Flag of the United States.svg Studebaker
Flag of the United States.svg phoenix
Successor Generation 2
Technical specifications
Engine 90° pushrod V-8
Inline-six (Hudson Hornet only) 303–440  cu in (5.0–7.2  L)
Competition history
DebutFebruary 15, 1948
(Daytona Beach Road Course, Florida) [1]
Last eventOctober 30, 1966
(1966 American 500)

The Generation 1 in NASCAR refers to the inaugural generation of post-war cars used between 1948 and 1966. The first generation of stock cars used a strictly-stock body and frame, the doors were strapped with the use of seat belts being required, and a heavy-duty rear axle was mandated to stop the cars from rolling over during a race. [2] These cars were almost identical to their road-going counterparts, albeit with tuning and modifications to the car itself being prohibited. It was also notable for being the only generation of stock cars to use real doors. [3] Examples include the Hudson Hornet, Oldsmobile Rocket 88, Ford Galaxie, Plymouth Belvedere, Pontiac Catalina, and the Chevrolet Impala.

Contents

They were eventually replaced by the Generation 2 cars in 1967. [4] [5]

Models

Chrysler Corporation

a Hudson Hornet, outfitted for racing, circa early 1950s Hudson Coupe.jpg
a Hudson Hornet, outfitted for racing, circa early 1950s
1959 Plymouth Belvedere NASCAR 1959 Plymouth Belvedere - 2015 Sonoma Raceway - Sarah Stierch.jpg
1959 Plymouth Belvedere NASCAR

Ford Motor Company

Dan Gurney's 1963 Ford Galaxie Dan GurneyNASCAR 28.jpg
Dan Gurney's 1963 Ford Galaxie

General Motors

Rex White's 1959 Chevrolet Impala RexWhiteChevrolet4.jpg
Rex White's 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Wendell Scott's 1962 Chevrolet Impala Wendell Scott 34 Chevrolet NASCAR Hall of Fame.jpg
Wendell Scott's 1962 Chevrolet Impala
Buck Baker's 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 stock car BuckBaker1949OldsmobileRocket.jpg
Buck Baker's 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 stock car
David Pearson's Pontiac Catalina DavidPearsonPontiac.jpg
David Pearson's Pontiac Catalina

Studebaker

A Studebaker driven by Dick Linder in the 1951 Daytona Beach Road Course StudebakerJohnMarcumNASCARracecar.jpg
A Studebaker driven by Dick Linder in the 1951 Daytona Beach Road Course
1961 Phoenix Capri 1974 AMC Matador grand national ext.jpg
1961 Phoenix Capri

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References

  1. "NASCAR History".
  2. "The evolution of NASCAR Cup Series cars".
  3. "NASCAR's Wild Ride from Generation 1 Through 7". 6 May 2021.
  4. "Hinton: Generational shift". 16 January 2013.
  5. "NASCAR Cars Through the Generations | NASCAR Hall of Fame | Curators' Corner".