Drag racing technology progressed at an alarming rate in the mid-1960s. The horsepower levels and speeds among production-based cars increased to a point that required major modifications. With stretched wheelbases and elongated body panels, these vehicles had a radical appearance and became known as ‘Funny Cars.’
Since Sox and Martin procured factory support with Chrysler’s Plymouth Division in 1965 with a Belvedere, the sponsorship carried over to 1966 as the team built a smaller Barracuda to be more competitive against the A/FX Mustangs, Chevy IIs, and of course the Darts of Landy and the Ramchargers. With a nitro-infused 426 HEMI under the fiberglass hood and weighing less than 2800 pounds, the A/FX Barracuda was a handful to drive but Ronnie Sox made it look easy as he won many events while Buddy Martin worked with track promotors to book the Barracuda for lucrative match races. Despite the team’s success in the A/FX class, major changes were coming in 1967.
