MARK II – CHEVY’S MYSTERIOUS 427!

Posted on January 4, 2019 by MartynL

The real 427 Mystery Motor, unlike the Z11, was not available in a car or to the public. You had to have serious NASCAR cred to get one of the 20 built. In the 1960s, Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen always seemed to be one step ahead of GM Chairman Fred Donner’s missives disallowing factory involvement in racing. While running Pontiac, Knudsen had supported the Super-Duty Group that, after he left, managed to get 421 Catalina Lightweights to drag racers before the axe fell. In 1961 he moved on to Chevro...

CHEVY 427 MYSTERY MOTOR: PORCUPINE POWER!

Posted on March 30, 2014May 15, 2017 by MartynL

A 409-based 427 with trick heads, originally developed for NASCAR super speedways, laid the groundwork for the legendary 427 big-block. In 1963, GM’s support of the absurd AMA racing ban stifled Chevrolet in its quest to dominate NASCAR & USAC stock car and NHRA drag racing. Quietly developed with help from Smokey Yunick, a super-409 displacing 427 cubic inches proved to be just what was needed. Chevrolet got it’s chance to hold off the competition until the ban was history and the “mo...