The '57 Black Widow

the ‘57 Black Widow chevroleT’s ‘57’s specialLy modifieD for sTock car racing The “White and Blacks”, SEDCO and the Chevrolet Stock Car Competition Guide. All 1957 Chevy enthusiasts have seen a guide was a “How To” book on building a the stock car guide is the first publication “Black Widow” at one time or another. But 1957 Chevy stock car (one could assume of its type in the industry, and contains do they understand what a “Black Widow” that some of the information came from information that can be used to assist really was? Or how they came to be? These the test mules at SEDCO). It listed all the individuals who plan to participate in stock cars, originally referred to as the “White and available GM part numbers of performance car racing. this valuable brochure is provided Blacks” due to their white and black paint parts that could be utilized by someone to acquaint dealers, as well as performance- scheme (fans actually nicknamed the cars outfitting a car for competition (all available minded individuals, with the techniques that “Black Widow”), were much more than a over the counter at the dealerships), as well permit greater safety and entertainment value specially painted 1957. They were modified as a recommendation of which Chevrolets for all who enjoy stock car competition in the versions of the production cars specifically would be best suited for the task. It also highest traditions of the sport. built for stock car racing. In 1957 many recommended 170 modifications that Chevrolet dealerships were involved in should be made to the cars to make as you know, there are various racing stock car racing and Chevrolet backed a them safer and handle better. It covered associations that conduct stock car races. number of teams. licensing, car registration, insurance we are enclosing a map showing the and inspection in relation to stock car geographical areas of activities of the five For the 1957 season, Edward N. Cole, racing and it included a list of sanctioning major associations. (please note that SCCA Vice President and General Manager of organizations. There was even a racing sponsors sports car events only.) there Chevrolet sent the former head of Hudson’s schedule laid out geographically on a map are other racing associations well known in racing program, Vince Piggins, to Atlanta, to make sure dealerships were equipped localized areas. to set up the Southern Engineering and with knowledge of the sport (and the Development Corporation Operation potential market no doubt) in their area. we hope the competition guide and the map (SEDCO). He, along with Bradley Dennis, will help you get a clear picture of stock car Paul McDuffie and the Clements brothers, Page one of the “Guide” is a letter from the racing. we feel that the competition guide Louis and Crawford built the 1957 Chevy’s Chevrolet Central Office, dated April 19, in particular, is a powerful aid in helping your for Chevrolet’s “cup” or NASCAR teams. It 1957. It reads: dealership better service those individuals in was set up as a division of Nally Chevrolet, your area, participating in stock car racing. in Atlanta, Georgia and they produced what to all chevrolet dealers: is rumored to be a total of 10 cars and 2 test very truly yours, mules. Since there were other teams and many chevrolet dealers are actively engaged organizations that built Black Widows and in the sport of stock car racing. many others robert d. lund they never came off an actual Chevrolet are aware of the tremendous interest in this national sales promotion manager production line, there is no record as to the challenging sport, which annually draws total number of cars built. millions of spectators to observe automobile performance. to acquaint all dealers more Never before had a manufacturer gone this In April 1957, Chevrolet distributed the fully with this sport, we have prepared far to assist in automobile racing efforts, “1957 Chevrolet Stock Car Competition the enclosed 1957 chevrolet stock car but it’s assistance would turn out to be Guide” to 411 dealerships. Essentially, the competition guide. short lived. 12 (800) 648-4728 • www.Danchuk.com ever hearD of a black WiDoW? True ‘57 enThusiasts may have, buT take the ‘57 Black Widow a reaD To get alL The Details . In early 1957, Congressional hearings version of the car. It had no radio, heater, identify the cars they were getting beaten by. were conducted about stock car racing. ashtray, passenger seat back or rear seat. They claimed that the automakers racing Chevrolet also mentions that the model The recommended engine was the brand advertisements were contributing to racing 1502 or in some cases model 2154 might new “Corvette V8” with Ramjet Fuel and reckless driving on the road. During be utilized depending on the type of racing Injection, R.P.O. 578 but you could also these hearings, in February 1957, the being done. order the engine with a single 4 barrel, Automobile Manufacturers Association R.P.O 410, or with dual 4-barrel setup, prepared a resolution suggesting all Black Widows were manufactures stop auto racing activities, painted in a black auto racing based advertising and the and white color support of race teams. Chevrolet endorsed s c h e m e, w h i c h this resolution in May 1957 and in June, Ed was chosen by the Cole instructed Vince Piggins to shut down crew at SEDCO the SEDCO operation due to Chevrolets as the colors for endorsement. When the SEDCO deal their racecar. It ended, Bradley Dennis and Paul McDuffie spor ted regular opened the “Atlanta Tune Up Service” which 150 trim and a Fuel continued to build cars for NASCAR teams. Injection Emblem was attached to the A Black Widow started out as a 1957 rear quarter panel Chevy 150 Utility Sedan, Model 1512 (the at the upper rear of number one suggestion in the “Guide” the fin. A Chevrolet and the model that most of the cars were script was attached made from) equipped with a roll bar and at the rear of the a specially designed driver seat with a front fender by the shoulder pad on the backrest. It was a door. It was said, at the time, that the perfect start as it did not have a rear seat Fuel Injection Emblems were attached and it was a stripped down bare bones at the rear so other racers could easily “never before haD a manufacTurer gone This far To asSist in auTomobile racing efforTs . “ Buck Baker poses with his “Black and White” on Daytona Beach, Florida 1957. Buck Baker #87, 1957 National Champion. Danchuk . “There’s no comparison” 13 R.P.O 411. The “Guide” covered tuning mats and acquired mats without the spare horn manifolds. However, SEDCO built and recommended modifications for tire cutout. The thought was that the cars are said to have run a special exhaust each engine. (NASCAR actually ruled in NASCAR judges would not notice that they made by Fenton. They were a tubular cast February 1957 that the F.I. equipped cars had modified the trunk and removed the that went from the cylinder head, including could no longer run citing that late model spare tire well, since the trunk mat looked the header pipe, to the rear motor mount convertibles and short track cars were original, so they would not be looking for a horns. They were extremely long and had limited to a single 4-barrel carburetor, and possible larger, illegal, tank.) Modifications the words FENTON cast into them between the F.I. units were not a carburetor. Even to the frame are also outlined in the “Guide” the 2 front cylinders. Whichever manifold though the F.I. units were replaced with a to increase rigidity. was used the exhaust went from them out carburetor and manifold, most racers kept the side of the car utilizing a sleeve in the the Fuel Injection emblems and flags on the The front end also had special modifications. frame member and a notch in the rocker rear fender just the same.) The lower A-arms had a steel plate welded just in front of the rear wheel at the rear to them to increase strength and rigidity and of the door. Chevrolet recommended that a 3-speed there were special hard rubber bushings manual transmission, with column shift, used with a sway bar. An additional shock As mentioned earlier, the Ram Jet with Fuel be used. The transmissions were available was also used which installed between a Injection was the recommended engine with a variety of different gear ratios so bracket attached to one side of the lower for the Black Widow, which was almost a suitable transmission could be chosen arm and a bracket attached to the upper immediately banned by NASCAR. It is depending on the type of racing being done. part of the frame. The rest of the front interesting to note that during development A stronger rear end, originally used in ½ ton suspension and steering was outfitted of the mule cars by SEDCO there were Chevy trucks, also had a variety of gear with special heavy-duty “shot preened” problems with the Fuel Injection. Barometric rations available. The rear end was beefier components as recommended in the pressure under the hood caused the F.I. to and featured a removable 10-bolt rear cover. “Guide”. Special brake shoes were also malfunction over 80 mph. This was solved The rear cover was necessary, as the axles used, front and rear by cutting out the tops of the fenders and were “C” clipped and the “C” clips had to be installing home heat register covers, a removed so the axles could be removed Front engine mounts were modified with suggestion made by Smoky Yunick.

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