1975
Ford
Torino
IMSA
/
NASCAR
Team:
Holman
Moody
Drivers:
David
Pearson,
Larry
Pearson,
Gary
Bowsher,
Jim
Bowsher
Engine:
Ford
Boss
429
Cubic
Inch
V8
Horsepower:
600+
Weight:
3500
lbs
Top
Speed:
207
MPH
In
1975
NASCAR
founder
Bill
France
asked
IMSA
and
the
FIA
to
create
a
class
for
stock
cars
in
their
series,
and
in
particular
the
24
Hours
of
Daytona
and
the
24
Hours
of
Le
Mans.
Holman
and
Moody
built
this
car
at
France's
suggestion
specifically
for
those
two
races.
This
car
was
based
on
a
fabricated
Grand
National
style
chassis
that
was
nearly
identical
to
the
one
developed
for
oval
track
racing.
NASCAR
Ford
Galaxie
based
front
suspension
components
and
massive
drum
brakes
were
used
up
front,
with
a
trailing
arm-equipped,
coil
spring
suspension
system
in
the
rear.
Power
came
from
a
dry
sump
equipped
Boss
429
engine
mounted
as
low
and
rearward
in
the
chassis
as
possible
to
aid
in
handling.
The
IMSA
rules
allowed
more
freedom
in
fabricating
the
body
than
what
was
allowed
in
NASCAR
racing.
The
Torino's
body
was
sectioned
so
severely
that
its
rocker
panels
were
completely
removed.
Large
front
and
rear
spoilers
add
to
the
car's
road
race
looks
and
serve
as
the
mounting
points
for
brake
and
driving
lights.
David
Pearson
and
his
son
Larry,
along
with
Jack
Bowsher's
sons,
Gary
and
Jim,
were
assigned
to
drive
the
car
at
Daytona.
The
Pearsons
led
the
NASCAR
class
during
the
daylight
hours
of
the
race.
As
night
fell,
the
Bowsher's
kept
the
car
in
contention
until
they
were
sidelined
for
three
hours
while
a
blown
engine
was
changed.
The
team
came
back
to
finish
a
remarkable
first
in
class
and
sixteenth
overall.
Plans
to
campaign
the
car
at
the
fabled
24
Hours
of
Le
Mans
fell
through
when
John
Holman
unexpectedly
passed
away.
The
Torino
was
never
raced
again.
This
car
has
not
been
restored-it
is
exactly
as
it
rolled
off
the
track
at
Daytona
in
1976.
David
Pearson
is
second
only
to
Richard
Petty
on
NASCAR's
all-time
win
list
with
105
victories.
In
all,
Pearson
entered
572
races,
of
which
he
won
105
and
placed
within
the
top
five
301
times.
Pearson
was
the
NASCAR
Champion
in
1966,
1968
and
1969.
Pearson
became
the
first
man
to
break
the
190
mph
barrier
at
Daytona
in
1969.
Holman
Moody
was
Ford
Motor
Company's
official
racing
contractor.
They
prepared
the
famous
Ford
GT
40s,
A/FX
Mustangs,
Shelby
Cobras,
and
Stock
Cars.
They
have
competed
in
NASCAR,
Sports
Car
Racing,
Drag
Racing,
and
Ocean
Boat
Racing.