Summary

This 1972 Chevelle convertible known as the Buck Kinney Special was the second Chevelle convertible built by John Hoffman of Hoffman Machine in Stoney Plains Field, New Jersey.

Details

This 1972 Chevelle convertible, known as the Buck Kinney Special, was the second Chevelle convertible built by John Hoffman of Hoffman Machine in Stoney Plains Field, New Jersey. The first one was the 1970 Chevelle owned by Ray Allen. With that car Allen dominated the SS/EA class in NHRA. Following the success of Ray Allen's car, John Hoffman wanted to try a low horsepower big block in the '72 model. The car was shipped directly from the GM dealership in Newark, New Jersey to Hoffman Machine. This car has never been on the street, and always a race car from day one. Hoffman sent the engine for performance work to the same engine builders as Ray Allen's car, Truppi-Kling Competition. The '72 Chevelle was campaigned in SS/MA to which it ran a full second under the index. NHRA raised the horsepower rating per weight ratio and he had to move the car to SS/KA. He set another record in that class. Buck Kinney purchased the Chevelle in 1975 from John Hoffman, put his magic to the engine, and set a new national record at the very first event. With weight and horsepower ratios changing, Buck moved the car to SS/JA and dominated the class. He set the NHRA record on five different occasions including a divisional title and won hundreds of local events. Buck Kinney is the only Canadian ever inducted into the NHRA Hall of Fame. In 2000 Buck sold the car to Wayne Darby who campaigned it for six years on the West Coast. In the fall of 2006, the car went through a mild restoration with a new top, carpets and detailing to bring it as close to original as possible. All the stickers are as they were for the past 30 years. Most recently the Chevelle has been housed in the Canepa Motorsports Museum in Scotts Valley, CA. Before being inducted into the museum the car was concours detailed and all minor imperfections corrected. The 454cid Chevrolet V8 engine was freshened in September of 2006 and features Oliver rods, vacuum oil system and special pan, Jessel belt drive, Buck Kinney cam, Heads Up heads, Hooker headers, special Q jet carburetor and crank trigger ignition by MSD. The Turbo 400 transmission was freshened in 2006 with new square cut gears and features a 2.45:1 first gear, 5,500 stall TCI converter, manual valve body and trans brake. The rear end has a 5.86 ratio, spool, Summers Brothers axles, 4-link suspension and aluminum driveshaft. Achievements include NHRA record holder in 1971, 1977, 1990, 1991 and 1993. Winter Nationals Class Champion 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1986. Winter Nationals Super/Stock Eliminator runner up twice. Winston Division 6 Super/Stock Champion 1991. Mission Raceway most wins for 6 years in a row. T.R.W. points leader 1992. Engle Motorplex Super/Stock Champion. Northwest Governors Trophy. Quarter mile 10.51 seconds @ 127.10mph.