OUR NEW RESTORATION PROJECT, A VERY SPECIAL 1967 Z/28
Ray Fairall had a fair amount of success in the C/Super Modified Class. In some cases, Ray was able to run the A/Super Modified class, too. Shown here is a photo of Ray Fairall and Willie Hornberger, his partner, in the winner’s circle at Capital Raceway on August 15, 1975. Ray won the Modified Eliminator crown that weekend with his 1967 Z/28.
An add from NHRA drag racing newspapers showing
AI Fiberglass as sponsor.
Approximately in 1980, Ray Fairall and racing partner Willie Hornbeger retreated from the Modified Eliminator classes in favor of another newly created NHRA bracket racer class called Super Gas. Being competitive in Modified Eliminator was very expensive and the traveling to major NHRA national events added to the costs. There were also issues with going through NHRA tear downs and general maintenance. The Super Gas category was a low maintenance class and very affordable to the average racer. This meant more changes for the local Z/28. The original steel front end was replaced with a light-weight fiberglass front end along with a brand new silver and blue paint job. The parchment deluxe interior was removed in favor of lightweight fiberglass front seats. The 302 and 350 engines were retired and big block Chevy engines such as the 427 and 454 cubic-inch motors were installed. The Super Gas class required no factory drive train tech inspection. Ray Fairall’s Z/28 just needed to meet NHRA safety requirements as we did in the local bracket racing programs during the early 1970s.
Circa 1980 after conversion to NHRA Super Gas class. Fiberglass front end
and new trick silver and blue paint job was added.
