Chrysler’s Motown Missile Mopar’s Secret Engineering Program at the Dawn of Pro Stock

The drama of 1970s Chrysler Pro Stock drag racing unfolds in this new book, which focuses on the racing and technological evolution of the legendary Motown Missile and Mopar Missile racing programs from 1970 to 1977. Unequaled by any other drag racing development program, this was a huge undertaking in term of time, money, and effort. The 1970s saw great change in Detroit and in auto racing, with Pro Stock being a huge draw for fans. Chrysler racing historian and author Geoff Stunkard presents a chronological recollection, drawing from many interviews and summaries of the actual technical efforts that the factory accomplished and including both rare, unpublished technical and personal images from the team members and some of the most dramatic images taken by the sport’s best photographers. From the earliest days of owner/engine builder Ted Spehar, factory engineer Tom Hoover, and driver Don Carlton, the narrative is a colorful look at the team’s inner workings, programs, victories, and even defeats. Set against a backdrop of characters like Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, “Dandy” Dick Landy, and “Dyno” Don Nicholson, Carlton’s driving prowess had few equals. Indeed, called by one period scribe as a “cyborg,” the likeable pilot would pay the ultimate price as a drag racing driver. From the Challengers and `Cuda to the Demons and Colts, the book showcases the cars that made Chrysler so much a part of this racing era, as well as Ted Spehar’s never-before-revealed information on the 1970s Pro Stock engine program. • With Ford and Chevrolet closing the gap on performance, it was up to Chrysler to find ways to beat them on the track • This book will be a behind-the-scenes look at how and why Mopar campaigned an “in-house” Pro Stock race car • This book will feature never-before-seen before photos and stories being brought to publication for the first time About the Author Geoff Stunkard is a veteran journalist and author as well as a lifelong Mopar aficionado. Having served as the editor of Mopar Enthusiast and written scores of articles on Chrysler cars and racing, he has in-depth knowledge of Hemi racing history. Stunkard is the owner of Quarter Milestones Publishing, a multimedia production and design firm based in Johnson City, Tennessee.