{"id":1864,"date":"2013-12-19T08:00:31","date_gmt":"2013-12-19T16:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/?p=1864"},"modified":"2014-01-09T11:42:52","modified_gmt":"2014-01-09T19:42:52","slug":"the-frantic-ford-kicks-up-its-heels-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/the-frantic-ford-kicks-up-its-heels-again\/","title":{"rendered":"The Frantic Ford Kicks Up Its Heels \u2013 Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Frantic<\/p>\n

Featured image courtesy Zach Caswell Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that drag racing has changed over the years \u2013 the rules, the regulations, the engines, and of course the cars. However, as nostalgia for the way the industry used to be increases, so does the passion to see those classic rides in action on the track. Enter Rocky Pirrone.<\/p>\n

Rocky had humble beginnings, sweeping floors and rebuilding transmissions at the age of 13 with his father, Joe Pirrone Jr., and through hard work and perseverance, opened his own shop when he was only 18. Now, Rocky runs the Pirrone & Ellershaw race team which campaigns seven supercharged race cars in various classes.<\/p>\n

The latest car in the Pirrone & Ellershaw stable is the re-born Frantic Ford Mustang, a tribute to Jimmy Fox, Ron Rivero and the late Dodger Glenn, members of the original 1969 Frantic Ford Funny Car team. P&E Racing campaigned the nostalgic Frantic Ford in 2013 as part of the newly created \u201cClassical Nitro AA\/FC\u201d group with hopes of stimulating the Nostalgia Drag Racing movement. The Frantic Ford has a special place in Rocky\u2019s heart because it was the first Funny Car that he worked on as a nine year old kid, helping Jimmy Fox with between-round maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Al\u201d Liebmann, marketing partner for the Frantic Ford, told The Burnout<\/em> that the team “wants to bring back the showmanship of the 1970\u2019s, from the girls in hot pants to the long smoking burnouts to the dry hops.\u201d And from what we saw this past summer, they\u2019ve been busy entertaining crowds at racing events and even helping to raise money for the annual Artie\u2019s Party<\/a> charity fundraiser.<\/p>\n

Here are the stats for the nitro pony car.<\/p>\n

Engine<\/strong>
\n413 cubic inches
\nBuilder: Tom Fox\/Pirrone & Ellershaw Racing
\nMake: Ford
\nValves: Manley
\nCamshaft: Crane Cams
\nPistons: Venolia
\nRings: Gapless
\nRods: Venolia
\nHeads: Tom Fox
\nBlower: 6-71 w\/ modifications by Tom Fox
\nInjection: Enderle Bug Catcher
\nMagneto: Vertex
\nHeaders: Smiley
\nTransmission: Two speed by Boss Hydro<\/p>\n

Chassis<\/strong>
\nWheelbase: 120 inches
\nBuilt by: Steve Grunewald
\nFinishing Fabrication: Pirrone & Ellershaw Racing
\nFront Axle: Pat Foster
\nBrakes: Four wheel disc by Strange
\nSteering: P&S
\nChutes: Dual chutes by Simpson
\nRear End: TJ Ford Nine Inch
\nAxles: Strange
\nTires: M&H Racemaster
\nOil: Prolong
\nPlugs: NGK<\/p>\n

Body<\/strong>
\n1969.5 Ford Mustang
\nFiberglass: Steve Grunewald and Dale Smith
\nTin Work: Steve Grunewald
\nPaint: Supplied by PPG
\nPainted by: Cameron
\nLettering: Dave Weyth<\/p>\n

Go HERE<\/a> to visit the Frantic Ford Mustang\u2019s official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n