With the advent of the new NHRA heads-up Pro Stock class for the 1970 race season, Sox & Martin was busy preparing a fresh car on Chrysler’s all-new E-Body platform. Some of what they learned on their 1968 Super Stock HEMI Barracuda could be applied, but there were many unknowns and challenges.
Starting as a ‘Body-In-White’ and only assembling the car with essential equipment, the 1970 HEMI ‘Cuda tipped the scales just under 3000 pounds. Using Super Stock leaf springs, smaller diameter front torsion bars, and other production-based components, the chassis and body didn’t differ much from the showroom version.
A lightweight fiberglass hood with the ‘Six Pack’ style scoop was utilized to improve the HEMI engine’s breathing which was modified more than the Super Stock version the team had been running the year prior. A ‘Slick Shift’ New Process A833 four-speed trans sent the power down to a Dana 60 rear axle.
Despite qualifying with a solid 10-second pass, the all-new Sox & Martin 1970 HEMI Cuda was runner-up to Bill Jenkin’s 1968 427 Camaro at both the 1970 NHRA Winternationals and Gatornationals. Despite running high nine-second ETs, the Sox & Martin HEMI had ‘teething’ issues.
As the 1970 NHRA and AHRA season progressed, Sox & Martin figured out their new ‘Cuda and dialed it in, while going faster at each race and driving past the competition. Sox & Martin would go on to win the 1970 NHRA Pro Stock World Championship and that would set the stage for the following season.
