Generation 3 (NASCAR)

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Generation 3
Phil Parsons Pocono 1984.jpg
Phil Parsons' No. 66 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 1984
ConstructorUnited States Chevrolet
United States Ford
United States Oldsmobile
United States Pontiac
United States Buick (until 1991)
United States Dodge (until 1983)
United States Chrysler (1982-1984)
PredecessorGeneration 2
SuccessorGeneration 4
Technical specifications
Wheelbase110 inches
Engine90° pushrod V-8
358 cubic inches (5,870 cc)
FuelUnocal 76 (1989-1992)
TiresGoodyear
Competition history
DebutFebruary 15, 1981
(1981 Daytona 500)
Last eventNovember 17, 1991
()

The Generation 3 refers to the generation of stock cars used in NASCAR from 1981 to 1991, and it was used in the Busch Series until 1993. In this generation, NASCAR downsized the cars to better resemble cars on the showroom floor (with wheelbase at 110 inches), and body panels were still purchased through the manufacturers.[1]

History[]

The Generation 3 era began in 1981[1] and featured bigger spoilers, and streamlined designs[2] that barely resembled their showroom counterparts.[2] The wheelbase was reduced to 110 inches in response to the demand of the production car market that the time, making the cars smaller than the previous 2 generations.[2]

These were the cars that necessitated restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega. In 1987 at Talladega, Bill Elliott set what remains the NASCAR qualifying record of 212.809 mph (342.483 km/h). But soon into the race, Bobby Allison's car went airborne and nearly went into the main grandstands, and that was the last unrestricted race on either of the two giant tracks. NASCAR mandated smaller carburetors for the rest of that season, and in 1988 required the restrictor plates.[3]

The Generation 3 cars were used until 1991. It was the last generation without roof flaps (mandated in 1994). It was succeeded by the Generation 4 cars in 1992. In that same year, the Gen 3 car was still used in the Busch Series, until the series adopted their Generation 4 car in 1994.

Models[]

General Motors[]

Bill Elliott vs. Kyle Petty at Martinsville in 1985.

Ford Motor Company[]

Chrysler Corporation[]

See also[]

  • Cup Series cars

References[]

  1. ^ a b "The evolution of NASCAR Cup Series cars". NASCAR.com. July 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c Weaver, Matt (May 6, 2021). "NASCAR Generations". Autoweek.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Hinton, Ed (January 15, 2013). "Six generations of NASCAR cars". ESPN.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[]

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