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
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.

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

Models

ManufacturerChassisUsageImage
Chevrolet Impala 1955 - 1962 RexWhiteChevrolet4.jpg
Ford Galaxie 1958 - 1965 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 NASCAR.jpg
Thunderbird 1959 - 1964
Hudson Hornet 1950 - 1954 Fabulous Hudson Hornet at Daytona International Speedway Museum.jpg
Oldsmobile Rocket 88 1949 - 1953 BuckBaker1949OldsmobileRocket.jpg
Plymouth Belvedere 1959 1959 Plymouth Belvedere - 2015 Sonoma Raceway - Sarah Stierch.jpg
Pontiac Catalina 1950 - 1958 DavidPearsonPontiac.jpg
Studebaker Starlight 1949 - 1952 StudebakerJohnMarcumNASCARracecar.jpg


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".