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By the late 1960's, the popular Funny Cars had evolved from highly-modified stockers into exotic, tube-framed hybrids cloaked in fiberglass shells. The Chevrolet and Ford engines had disappeared for the most part, replaced by Chrysler Hemi's, regardless of body make. Sure, they were outrageously loud and fast—but it would become increasingly difficult for Chevy and Ford fans to relate to Hemi-powered Camaros and Mustangs!
Not so with the Super Stockers—these racecars' powerplants remained true to their body styles. However, their wide variety of engine sizes and vehicle weights scattered them among several classes. This meant handicap racing at the big national events. Given that, and the large fields present, the Detroit factory superstars often did not meet during eliminations.
The solution to this dilemma came in 1969 when the factory heroes began match racing their "Heads-Up" Super Stockers. These Chevys sported 427 big-blocks, the Fords had the mighty 427 SOHC Cammer, and of course, the Mopars were Hemi-powered. Driving cars born of real Detroit sheet metal, Super Stock heroes were banging 4-speed sticks and stomping clutch pedals to amazing nine-second ET's, with colorful names and true interbrand rivalries becoming their hallmark. The fuel guys derided them as "Doorslammers," but—just like their "Funny Car" cousins—the name would stand as a term of endearment.
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On any given weekend in 1969, these nine-second wonders staged match races at tracks such as York U.S. 30, Atco, and Cecil County before wildly enthusiastic crowds. The rituals of rosin burnouts and the thrill of heads-up racing with no breakouts brought back the memories of the A/FX wars of the early 1960's, a phenomenon which inspired the original Funny Cars in the first place. So popular was this new category that it led to the creation of Pro Stock in 1970.
"Best of the Doors" is artist James Ibusuki's tribute to these wild, wheels up, gear banging factory hot rods. In this dramatic painting, the artist has chosen to depict Sox & Martin's '69 Hemi-Cuda to battle against Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins' '68 Camaro at York US 30 Dragway, located in Pennsylvania. Their fierce battles are the best-remembered of all Super Stock rivalries. Also portrayed is "Dyno Don" Nicholson in his '66 Cammer Mustang, awaiting his crack at the quarter mile. Strictly limited to 850 numbers, this museum-quality lithograph comes complete with a certificate of authenticity. The image area is 13"x 33" with ample borders for framing. In addition to being signed and numbered by the artist, each lithograph is autographed by Ronnie Sox and Bill Jenkins!
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