In our next installment:
The C3 Corvettes certainly looked fast, but along with their sexy good looks came a reputation that pegged any shark-bodied Funny as an ill-handling deathtrap. This unsavory rep grew considerably in the late '70s when nitro-powered Funny Cars began regularly visiting the other side of 230 mph. It took a racer with a bit of aero curiosity (and the quickness of a "Mongoose") to firmly plant the flighty shark Funnies. But, by the time the instability issues had been settled, the use of Corvette bodies on Funny Car chassis' had moved into the twilight. Nitro-engine technology had leapt exclusively into Hemi territory, and body makers were switching over to replicas of the higher-volume models favored by sponsors.
By the mid-'70s nearly all Nitro Funny Car teams had made the switch to aftermarket 426 Hemi clones from Keith Black, Milodon, or Donovan. The Mark IV 427/454 was a sturdy powerplant, but with nitro percentages and blower boost pressures growing ever greater, the iron-block Chevys just weren't up to the task. The lighter, stronger, aluminum Hemis offered the proven hemispherical combustion chamber design and huge valves that were notably more efficient when nitromethane fuel and blowers were used. A few "low-buck" racers continued to stick with the Chevys, but they soon fell by the wayside or converted over to the fuel-friendly Hemis.
 National Trail Raceway, located...  National Trail Raceway, located east of Columbus, Ohio, has been the scene of many memorable NHRA Springnationals events. Here, Dayton, Ohio's Jerry Ault wheels the Ault & James Speed Shop '63 H/Gas Corvette off the starting line during the '77 race. Ault built, tuned, and drove this car to numerous class and Mod Eliminator wins during the late '70s. |  Albert Clark and Fairfield,...  Albert Clark and Fairfield, Illinois' Wayne County Speed Shop assembled this very successful '66 Corvette coupe for the Modified Eliminator wars of the '70s. Driven by Don Coonce, the car captured numerous major event titles during that span, including the Mod trophy at the '76 U.S. Nationals. Photo by Marty Johnson, from the Jim Hill Collection |  Driver Billy Mansell never...  Driver Billy Mansell never reported seeing Elvis, even though the rock icon hailed from his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. The Mansell & Minga '65 H/Gas coupe was one of several strong Modified Eliminator entries to use Wayne County Speed Shop power. Here, Mansell leaves wheels-up during the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. |
 Drag-racing photography can...  Drag-racing photography can be a hazardous activity, as shown by the ominous sign posted on the guardrail at this track. The unknown photog was crafty enough to avoid flying engine and driveline debris while clicking this shot of Joe Heffernan's F/Gas '67 Corvette. |  A classic Hemi-vs.-Chevy match-up...  A classic Hemi-vs.-Chevy match-up occurs here, as Ron Mancini's A/Modified Production'68 Hemi Dart takes on the Renfroe Brothers' equally classic '62 Corvette G/Gasser. Note that the Corvette's grille has been blocked off with sheetmetal in an attempt to gain an aero edge. This photo was taken at the '77 Popular Hot Rodding Championships, held at U.S. 131 Dragway in Martin, Michigan. |  Houston's "Wop Shop" offered...  Houston's "Wop Shop" offered precision machine work and assembly, and many South Texas racers, such as Lindley Isonhood, relied on the shop for engines and other work. Isonhood's '63 coupe could be counted on for starting-line wheelstands and power-shifted runs. |