These are reproduced from a series of adverts run by McCulloch during the mid fifties in the Motor Trend magazine, and they make interesting reading. I’ve only listed the ones I currently have, although many more were issued. I'll get them all eventually!
November 1955
Here I am, an engineer, writing a column! That's a switch! But there's a lot of news about McCulloch superchargers these days. Much is of real interest to you, so here goes.
Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth, and other major lines should have introduced '56 models by now. We've been making changes in our kits as fast as we can get the new specs. This year's conversion won't be as tough as last year's when all the new ohv's were introduced. Our '56 kits should be ready in 30 to 60 days.
Speaking of new models, the stock '56 engines are getting hotter than ever. This means even greater horsepower increase through supercharging because you start with more. Rumor has it that Plymouth's new V-8 is a real package. We'll have a new kit for this one very soon.
Norm Thatcher of Van Nuys, California, reports that his McCulloch supercharged Chrysler 300 turned 103.36 in the quarter mile! (This compares with a top of 88 stock.) Norm says. "It's just getting a good bite when we run out of the trap!"
Since announcement of a T-Bird kit, we've had a steady stream of T-Birds in our shop. McCulloch supercharger dealers throughout the U.S. report similar interest with this model. So a word to the wise: Don't tangle with a T-Bird until you're sure it's not blown. Blown, the T-Bird will out jump almost anything on the road. 0-60 in 6 seconds flat is hard to beat.
Clark Gable is a T-Bird fancier. He came in the other day and we put on a McCulloch for him. Seems like doctors, lawyers, accountants - everyone - likes the extra kick they get with a McCulloch!
Talking about T-Birds reminds me we have a neat instrument group for this car. The three dials show supercharger pressure, manifold pressure, and fuel pressure. All are mounted in a polished aluminum case which mounts on the steering column. Costs $50 f.o.b. Los Angeles.
Perhaps you'd like to add 40 to 50 per cent more horsepower to your car without losing any smoothness of reliability, and do it at less cost per horsepower than any other method? If so, drop me a line. Tell me make and year, also type carburetor and if you have a power kit or other power accessories on your car. I'll send you complete details and prices on a McCulloch supercharger kit for your car. Write to: John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive ST., Inglewood, Calif.
NEXT MONTH: Some comparative acceleration data on McC supercharged cars.
December 1955
Interesting thought came to me the other day! In general, the price of a McCulloch supercharger installed runs approximately 10% of the price of a new car. But you’re buying 40% more horsepower! Pretty good bargain in performance, I’d say!
Of course you can do it an unusual way. Take the ’54 Buick-Corvette owned by Fisher Buick here in Los Angeles. It has a McCulloch supercharged ’55 Buick Century engine! Gregg Bussjaeger reports 0-60 in “less than 6 seconds with a top of 130 to 135.” This is with a Buick variable-pitch transmission and a Chevy rear end. Car will do 95 mph in low range!
Speaking of Buick, reminds me I was going to give some comparative acceleration data in this column. So here goes:
Year and Make 0-60 Stock 0-60 Superchgd.
’55 Buick Century 9.8 sec 6.9 sec
’55 Ford (Fordomatic) 12.5 sec 8.4 sec
’55 Chevy (Powerglide) 12.3 sec 8.2 sec
’55 Lincoln Capri 12.4 sec 8.3 sec
’55 Olds (Super 88) 10.6 sec 7.2 sec
’55 Cadillac (62 Series) 10.0 sec 7.0 sec
’55 Chrysler 300 9.6 sec 6.4 sec
Four new McCulloch supercharger distributors join the list this month. Jim Rathmann Inc., 3201 N.W. 17th Street, Miami, Florida (Jim’s name should be familiar to you who follow the Indianapolis “500.”); Speedway Motors, 1719 N. Street, Lincoln, Nebraska; Contractors Supply, 1728 Walnut, Kansas City, Kansas; Randall Accessories, 1000 N.W. 10th St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. See them for McCulloch supercharger sales and service if you’re in their area.
Three new McCulloch supercharger kits are ready at this writing. These fit the new V-8 Chevrolet Corvette, the ’55 Plymouth V-8 and the V-8 Chevy pick-up truck.
You might ask, “Who wants to supercharge a pick-up truck?” Well, some like to “heat up” the “pick-up” just like any other model. Most supercharged pick-ups, however, are used in the mountains. With McCulloch supercharging, a pick-up (or any car) keeps its normal power at altitude. You’d be surprised how many McCulloch superchargers were sold last summer to guys who haul heavy loads up and down mountain grades. Extra pulling power is their big reason for buying.
“Smitty” Weeks our Fresno dealer, has been putting McCulloch superchargers on boats for 2 years now with excellent results. Most have been V-8 automotive engine conversions so standard kits have fit perfectly. “Smitty” feels that almost any small marine engine can be supercharged easily.
If you want real performance and 40 to 50 per cent more horsepower, you want a McCulloch supercharger. Drop me a line telling me the make and year of your car, the type carburetor, and if you have a power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you complete prices and details on the McCulloch kit that fits your car. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Div., McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, Calif.
NEXT MONTH: First data on McCulloch supercharged ’56 Ford and Plymouth.
Fair warning department. Watch out for a McCulloch supercharged Vauxhall “Velox”, especially on your next visit to Wanganui, New Zealand. They’ve got one down there and it’s a “bomb”. “Oh, I say, anyone for a drag race!”
Interestingly enough, Vauxhall is an old name in sports cars, a 1910 Prince Henry model having set a record of 100 mph! Vauxhall is now a trade name of the English General Motors operation.
All the above is a way of saying that McCulloch superchargers get around. For example, we’re supercharging a Marine Corps amphibious “Otter” for greater power at altitude. We’ve also shipped several McCulloch superchargers to Hiller Helicopters for use on their Franklin-engine powered helicopter.
Here’s a hot one! Bill Williams of Los Angeles took home a trophy and a record from the Saugus Drag Strip after turning in 100.01 mph in the quarter mile. The car: A McCulloch supercharged T-Bird, bored .125, stroked .200, with special cam, three carburettors, Fordomatic, and stock rear end. It’s a “wild one” but it shows what can be done with a McCulloch aboard!
While we’re talking about T-Birds, Benson Ford (you’ve heard of him) drove Bob Estes’ McCulloch supercharged “Bird” to San Diego and back the other day. All he would say on his return was “WOW!”
Navajo Freight lines, the Texas Oil Co. (Texaco) and several others are running McCulloch superchargers on some of their big diesel rigs. Navajo reports their Cummins diesel powered Kenworth truck has better hill pulling ability, almost 10% better fuel economy, but most important to smog-bound Los Angeles, the blower practically eliminates exhaust smoke.
Preliminary dope on 0 to 60 mph times for ’56 Ford and Mercury.
Car Stock McC Supercharged
Ford 12.0 sec 7.5 sec
Mercury 11.5 sec 7.0 sec
Both cars were automatic transmission jobs. Figures were from the speedometer against a stop watch.
As I write this, my first column is just out on the newsstands and already the mail is coming in. So keep it up and I’ll try to answer all your letters. Also, if you want to know more about how a McCulloch supercharger can add 40% or more horsepower to your car, drop me a line. Be sure to tell me the make and year, the type carburettor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you complete details, prices and a new illustrated folder. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, Calif.
NEXT MONTH: Some comparative performance figures on McC supercharged boats.
Daytona Beach this year will prove an interesting test of McCulloch supercharged cars. We know of several blown “T-birds” that will be entered and have heard rumours of others. Naturally we’re interested and if we can get good material on any of these cars, we’ll report it here in a future column.
Kits for ’56 models, we have most of ‘em now! Ford, Chevy, Plymouth, Mercury, Lincoln, Chrysler, Cad, Dodge, Buick, Olds, T-birds, Corvettes, and some for various model trucks. Each kit is complete with all parts and full instructions for the installation. Your best bet is to have a McCulloch dealer install your blower but a good mechanic with a well equipped shop can do the job easily.
Boats. McCulloch superchargers are really “going” on marine engines. Jim Rathman, our Florida distributor is having a field day. He’s supercharging them in pairs. He reports his latest is a 46-footer which is powered by two Chrysler V-8 marine engines. Before supercharging, its top speed was 23 mph. After supercharging, it turned in 33 mph! That’s some increase! Rudy Ramos of Los Angeles has an 18-ft Mandella ski boat that’s powered by a McCulloch supercharged ’55 Cadillac V-8 engine. Rudy reports he’s had it up to 78 mph! (Without skiers we hope.) These are two of the many boat performance figures we’ve received.
Four new distributors to tell you about. First is Spains Garage in Tempe Arizona. Second is Motor Parts and Machine Co., Granby at 27th, Norfolk, Virginia. Also, a pair in Minnesota: Motor Repair Service, 743 Snelling St., St. Paul; and Myers Motors, 412 East 1st St., in Duluth. See them for McCulloch supercharger sales and service in these areas.
Fair warning to the Los Angeles “lead foot” set. We have just completed another McCulloch supercharger installation on Los Angeles Police Department cars, so don’t be foolish and try to outrun one! Seriously, we like power and fast cars too, but we go along whole-heartedly with the police and the hot rod clubs. Do your racing on the track and the drag strip and not in traffic! You’ll live longer to enjoy it!
Just remember, you don’t have to own a Corvette or a “T-bird” to get a lot of extra “zing” out of driving. McCulloch supercharger kits fit almost all recent V-8 models. The McCulloch supercharger gives you more than 40% extra rear wheel horsepower without any loss of smoothness and reliability. And, best of all, it does it at less cost per horsepower than any other method. So, if you want complete information and prices on a McCulloch supercharger kit for your car, write me: John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, Calif. Be sure to tell me the make and year, the type carburettor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories on your car.
NEXT MONTH: Why variable speed centrifugal superchargers are best for all-round automotive use.
Last month I said I would explain why a variable speed centrifugal supercharger is the best for all-round automotive use. This isn’t easy to do in so short a column but I’m going to try.
The little chart sums up my story. It plots supercharger discharge pressure against engine RPM for three units set to deliver 5 psi at 5,000 RPM. Since, within limits, the greater the discharge pressure at any given RPM, the chart indicates relative performance of the three units plotted.
Notice first the curve of the “constant drive-ratio Roots-type supercharger.” It’s almost flat, indicating a steady build-up in boost to maximum at peak RPM. Now check the curve for the “constant drive-ratio centrifugal-type supercharger.” Not so good at low and intermediate RPM but OK at peak RPM. Right here is where we get a lot of “static” about the McCulloch not being any good at low RPM because it’s basically a centrifugal type blower. And this criticism would be valid were it not for our VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE.
As long as you “keep your foot in it,” the McCulloch supercharger will stay in high-speed (hi-ratio) drive and follow the top discharge curve. (Notice how discharge pressure is regulated to hold maximum boost from 3,000 RPM on.) The minute you “let up on the throttle,” no matter what the RPM, the unit shifts back down to the low-speed (lo-ratio) discharge curve.
Thus the distance between our lo-ratio and hi-ratio curves at any given RPM is the RANGE OF PERFORMANCE of the McCulloch supercharger at that RPM. No other supercharger has this flexibility to meet the varying requirements of an automobile engine under all driving conditions!
Now you know why I say the McCulloch supercharger is the best for all-around automotive use. So, it you want to find out how you can add 40 percent or more rear wheel horsepower to your car, at less cost per horsepower than any other method, and without loss of smoothness or reliability, drop me a line. Be sure to tell me the make and year, the type carburettor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you complete details, prices and an illustrated folder.
Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Div., McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood, Calif.
April 1956
Keeping it in the family! Bob McCulloch, Jr., down from Stanford University on vacation, took his McCulloch (what else!) supercharged "T-bird" to the Los Angeles Drag Strip and set a new track record for modified sports cars. Bob turned in a scorching 102.93 mph in the quarter to beat the old record by .7 sec. His car is a single carburetor job with Fordomatic.
Then there's this report from our Mexico distributor, Automotries O'Farell. His McCulloch supercharged Packard takes a "test hill" at 85 mph. The best it could do on the same hill before supercharging was 43 mph!
That hill climbing test on the Packard reminds me of all the McCulloch superchargers we sell to people who aren't interested in "dragging" or top speed. They buy the blower for a station wagon they use for hunting and fishing trips or for the car they use to haul their house trailer. They're looking for greater hill climbing ability and better high-altitude performance and the McCulloch gives it to them.
We've two new supercharger kits. They are for air conditioned (Factory type) '56 Lincoln and Buick. Air conditioning continues to give us a bad time on some cars because the compressors take up so much underhood room. But, with a little extra work, we're able to fit almost all air conditioned cars. So, if you write me, be sure and mention if your car has air conditioning.
It's two McCulloch superchargers for the Hearsts! David Hearst, publisher of the Los Angeles Herald & Express, just put one on his '55 Chrysler 300. Brother William R. Hearst, Jr., has a McCulloch on his Buick.
The mail problem! Wow! I never realized how much mail this column would bring in! Frankly, I'm really pleased, but it is tough to keep up with all of it. So, if you don't get a real quick answer to your letter, please bear with me. Just as soon as I can, I'll get to your question.
By now, you've guessed that we sell the McCulloch supercharger. Put one on your car and it will increase your rear-wheel horsepower 40 per cent or more! We have complete McCulloch supercharger kits for most all recent V-8 powered cars, pick-ups, and light trucks. We also supply just the supercharger for custom installation on almost any automotive engine. And, since the McCulloch supercharger gives you this added horsepower, at less cost per "horse" than other methods and without any loss of smoothness or reliability, it's no wonder they're selling like hotcakes. So, if you're interested, write me. Tell me the make and year of your car, the type carburetor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories. I'll send you complete details, prices and a new illustrated folder. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 W. Olive ST., Inglewood, Calif.
I get a real kick out of this McCulloch supercharger installation. Seems a construction firm in South America has several fork-lift trucks working at approximately 10,000 ft. altitude. Up that high, the fork-lifts just don’t have the power to hoist the payload. So…put a McCulloch supercharger on ‘em and get the extra horsepower needed! Anyone interested in a “hot” fork-lift truck?
Harold Smith, Sr., and Harold Smith Jr., of Harold’s Club, Reno, are both proud owners of the “hottest” Lincoln Continentals in these parts. Reason: we’ve just installed McCulloch superchargers on both of their cars! However, their lead won’t last long. We’re receiving orders from other Lincoln Continental owners for these kits which are now available.
We are happy to welcome these five new distributors to our fast growing organization: In Dallas, Texas, Custom Automotive, 2122 No. Pearl; in Detroit, Michigan, Mallory Electric Corp., 12416 Cloverdale Ave.; in Roswell, New Mexico, Ullrich Automotive, 118 East 2nd St.; in Bakersfield, Calif., Lord’s Automotive, 425 California Ave.; and in San Diego, Calif., Precision Fabricators, 1925 El Cajon Blvd. See them for McCulloch supercharger sales and service in these areas.
“How much is the McCulloch supercharger?” I get this question all the time. The answer depends on the make of car you own. Basically, the McCulloch supercharger will add 40 percent more horsepower to your car at less cost per horse than any other method I know of. In addition, the McCulloch supercharger can be changed from one car to another quite easily so you don’t have to sell it when you sell your car.
Forty per cent more horsepower means:
In addition, the McCulloch supercharger does not cause any loss of smoothness or reliability.
If what I’ve told you about a McCulloch supercharger makes you think you’d like one on your car, if you’re interested in the added acceleration and performance 40 percent more horsepower can give you, write me for complete information. We have supercharger kits that fit almost all recent V-8 cars, pick-ups, and light trucks. We also sell just the supercharger for custom installation on any automotive engine. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, California. Be sure to tell me the make and year of your car, the type carburetor, and if you have a power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you complete details, prices, and an illustrated folder.
Supercharging cars equipped with furl injection is the current project in our shop and we’re having fun working out ways to add McCullochs to some of the really “hot ones.”
One of the best is a “T-Bird”---a car that already holds several drag strip records with a McCulloch aboard. What we plan to do is to install a set of fuel injectors and then build a special manifold to provide even blower pressure to all injectors. No figures yet, of course, but we think it will be a real “hot one.”
Then there’s Bill Murphy who races his red Buick-Kurtis in west coast sports car races. He runs in the “over 1500 cc modified” class and does very well, but lately, there have been a few pesky Ferraris and Maseratis getting out front. So…Bill has been talking to us about adding a McCulloch to the car! The present problem seems to be: “Should we supercharge it with conventional carburettors or go all out with injectors?” The car has been run both ways in recent races.
I’ve been asked: “Why don’t you back up your claim of adding 40 per cent more horsepower by giving comparative horsepower figures for each make of car?” Well, first of all, we’re not in the business of de-bunking competitive horsepower claims, but the fact is, many cars do not produce factory advertised horsepower. Now, if we start with factory advertised horsepower and try to claim an added 40 per cent, we’ll get too high a figure. But if we start with actual horsepower and claim to add even more than 40 per cent, we can still come out less than 40 per cent ahead of the advertised horsepower. So we simply say, “ A McCulloch supercharger will add 40 per cent or more horsepower to your present car!” We’ve proved it time and again in “before” and “after” dynomometer tests.
Like I’ve said before, you don’t have to own a “T-Bird” or a Buick-Kurtis to have fun with a McCulloch supercharger. Your present car can give you 40 per cent more horsepower, and a look at the ’56 Plymouth figures above gives you some idea what that means in added pick-up and performance. Best of all, with a McCulloch supercharger aboard, you don’t lose smoothness and reliability and you gain your extra horsepower at a very low cost per horse. So, if you want more information about a McCulloch supercharger, write me: John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, California. I’ll send complete details, prices and an illustrated folder. Be sure to tell me the make and year of your car, the type carburettor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories.
Here’s a report on the ’56 Plymouth with a McCulloch supercharger aboard: 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 sec. Quarter mile, standing start, 16.7 sec (89.8 mph). This compares with 11.9 and 18.9 (76 mph) respectively for the non-blown 5-barrel model. All tests were made with a push-button Powerflite transmission.
How many of you McCulloch supercharger owners know you can get a custom instrument group specially designed to show you your supercharger’s performance for only $50 f.o.b. Los Angeles? Three instruments make up the group and they give you: 1) supercharger pressure, 2) manifold pressure and 3) fuel pressure. All three instruments are mounted in a polished aluminium case that mounts either on the steering column or dashboard.
Here’s a new supercharger kit. It adapts the McCulloch to the jaguar “XK” series. Price complete is $465. While we’re at it, we might as well mention the fact that we have a few kits for the MG TD and have made some installations on other imported models. We don’t make kits for most of these cars because there just isn’t enough demand. If you’re interested, however, we can give you some advice on custom installations.
Just to show you what can be done with a McCulloch, here’s our latest report on another hot “T-Bird.” This car, owned by J. L. Peters of Los Angeles, recently turned 108.8 mph in the quarter mile at the Santa Ana, Calif., drag strip. The elapsed time was 13.03 seconds. Car is bored 1/8” over, stroked to 31/2” (330 cu. In), has special cam, triple carburettors, and, of course, a McCulloch supercharger!
An amazing number of station wagons are being supercharged according to the reports we get from McCulloch dealers. These boys are not out to make “draggin waggins”—they just want the extra power for pulling the hills this summer on that camping trip.
FLASH REPORT on the ’56 Corvette with McCulloch supercharger aboard. 0-60 mph, 5.2 sec.; 0-80 mph, 9.1 sec.; 0-100 mph, 17.0 sec. This compares with 7.4, 12.8 and 22.2 secs. For non-blown runs. Car was strictly stock except for blower. Times were taken by stopwatch against indicated spedo readings. Complete McCulloch kits are ready now.
Now comes the commercial! If you want to add some real performance to your car, if you want to get 40 per cent or more horsepower, then you want a McCulloch supercharger! Drop me a line telling me the make and year of your car, the type carburettor, and if you have power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you an illustrated folder, complete details and prices on a McCulloch kit for your car, and the name and address of the nearest McCulloch distributor. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive Street, Inglewood, California.
Heres one for Studebaker Golden Hawk fans! We’ve just completed development of our supercharger kit for this car and the results are certainly worthwhile! As this goes to press, we haven’t had time to find space enough to really let this baby run! But I can tell you that this is one of the most responsive engines we have supercharged and the blower fits in like a glove – power steering, power brakes and all. Hop this satisfies all of you who have been writing to ask when a McCulloch kit would be available. It’s ready now, so send in your orders!
Someone asked, “What make car do you sell the most McCulloch superchargers for?” The answer, according to out records: Ford, Chevy, Ford “T-Bird,” and Oldsmobile, to name just the top four positions. Of course, we make kits for Buick, Mercury, Lincoln, Cadillac, Chrysler, Pontiac, Plymouth, Studebaker and most other V-8s.
In answer to many requests from you boat fans, we’ve made up a McCulloch supercharger kit for Chrysler V-8 marine engines, either right or left hand rotation. Just to show you what supercharging a boat can do, Jim Rathman, our Florida distributor, reports a twin-engined 46-footer gets 33 mph with McCulloch aboard. Best speed for this boat before supercharging was 23 mph! If you’re interested, write me for complete data.
Incidentally, speaking of boats, many of our standard automotive kits can be fitted to similar engines that have been converted for marine use. We have lots of Ford V-8 powered boats churning the waves with McCulloch stock kits aboard. Increased performance with the McCulloch in boats is even more spectacular than in automobiles because the increase in torque gets the boat up higher out of the water for greater speed.
Latest rumor department. We hear of a Chevy V-8 engine (bored and stroked, we think) that’s running a McCulloch blower thru injectors using alcohol and putting out up to 400 hp on an engine dyno! We don’t have any more details now, but our scouts are out trying to find more information.
Almost forgot! I’m selling McCulloch superchargers. If you like the added pick up and pep 40 per cent more rear wheel horsepower will give your present car, without any loss of smoothness or reliability, you’d better get yourself a McCulloch supercharger. We have kits to fit almost all V-8s, so write me for information. Give me the make and year of your car and tell me if you have power kit or other power accessories. I’ll send you prices, details, an illustrated folder, and the name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive Street, Inglewood, California.
Some customers of ours have speed in their blood. Take John Von Neumann, for instance. He has a stable of racing Ferraris and Porsches and he hauls them to and from the tracks in a McCulloch supercharged International 240 truck-and-semi rig! Guess John likes to get there fast so he can go fast when he gets there!
Last month I told you about our McCulloch supercharger kit for the Golden Hawk. Well the car got up to 145 mph (spedo) and still had some pedal left. We also got a 0-100 mph time of 16 sec flat which compares with the stock time of 22.6 sec.
Here’s some interesting news that’s a little out of the ordinary. Hiller helicopters (Models 12B and 12C) have received CAA certification with McCulloch superchargers aboard. The supercharger increases the craft’s hover ceiling (IGE) 4,900 ft and its service ceiling 4,200 ft. rate of climb at 5,000 ft is increased 255 ft/min., and at 10,000 ft, 370 ft/min. Anyone want a hot “whirly-bird”?
Incidentally, this reminds me. Some of you who read this column may know of interesting and different McCulloch supercharger installations. If you want to share them with other readers, send them to me. To me these out-of-the-ordinary installations prove the ability of the McCulloch supercharger to increase performance under a wide range of conditions.
Bill Crichton (who’s been associated with Auto Electric Carburettor, one of our San Francisco distributors) has opened a new shop, Automotive Engineering Specialists, at 630 van Ness, to specialize in McCulloch installations for gasoline powered engines. Auto Electric will continue the fine job they are doing with McCullochs for diesel engine installation. Their address is 131 fell Street.
Incidentally, a recent exhibit of McCulloch superchargers at the National Truck and Trailer Show received considerable attention. Truckers were particularly impressed by figures on increased performance and smoke control brought about by McCulloch installations. I’ll have a more detailed item about trucks in a later column.
Would you like to add 40 to 50 per cent more horsepower to your car without losing any smoothness or reliability? Would you like to feel the added acceleration and performance that this much horsepower can give? If you’re interested, write me: John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, California. I’ll send you an illustrated folder that tells all about McCulloch superchargers kits that fit most all recent V-8s. be sure and give me the year and make of your car and tell me if you have power kit or other power accessories. I’ll also send you price information on a kit to fit your car, and the name of your nearest McCulloch distributor.
Everyone claims to have “the straight dope” on what the ’57 cars will look like, but no two reports are the same! In general, they will be longer, lower, racier and have more horsepower than last year. There may even be some optional fuel injection jobs. Well, it doesn’t worry us. We’ll just keep right on adding 40 per cent horsepower to whatever comes down the pike by simply adding a McCulloch supercharger. In fact, fuel injection makes supercharging even easier and the results are sensational!
In a recent professional sports car race at Willow Springs, California, a McCulloch blown jaguar engine on a Kurtis chassis made the 2.5 mile circuit in 1 min., 52 sec. This clips 4 to 5 seconds off the previous track record. Added acceleration out of the turns made the final difference.
John Holthaus, our Service manager, has the bug. He recently took all comers at the Stockton Drag Races in a McCulloch supercharged T-Bird. Incidentally, Johnny drove the car over 600 miles to and from the races.
What does 40 percent more horsepower mean to the family car? Well, it’s hard to generalize, but here’s an idea what a McCulloch supercharger will do for any car in reasonably good condition. 1) In acceleration, 0 to 60 mph, you’ll cut out anywhere from 2 to 4 sec. off your best stock time! 2) In top speed, you’ll add anywhere between 5 and 20 mph! 3) In reserve horsepower, for safer passing at highway speeds, you’ll get as much as 200 percent improvement! But most important, adding the McCulloch supercharger does not cause a loss in smoothness or reliability.
Here’s good news for all you supercharger enthusiasts in the Peach State. Auto Electric of Georgia, Inc., 115 Piedmont, N.E., Atlanta, have just taken on distributorship of the McCulloch supercharger for the entire state. We’ve known the folks at Auto Electric a long time…they’re the kind of people who are sure to please their customers.
From what I’ve said above, you can see the McCulloch supercharger is not just a hot rod item for drag racing, sports cars or hot cars. In fact, we sell more McCullochs to people who have no desire to race or build a hot car than those who do. We put lots of blowers on station wagons, Cadillacs, four-door Buicks, Olds, etc.; none of which are particularly “race-type” models. The owners just want more performance without a lot of fuss and bother. So it you’re interested, write me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corporation, 827 West Olive Street, Inglewood, California. I’ll send you complete details, prices, etc., on a McCulloch supercharger kit for your car. I’ll also send you the name of your nearest McCulloch distributor. Be sure to tell me the year and make of your car and if you have power kit or other power accessories installed.
Jim Rathmann, one of America’s top big-car race drivers (and a McCulloch supercharger distributor in Miami, Fla., by the way) proves he knows a thing or two about engine performance on water as well as land. Jim’s hard at it converting standard Chevrolet V-8 engines for use as marine power plants. He claims his 265 cu. in. Chevy, with McCulloch supercharger, “takes to water like it was born for the job.”
Further evidence of the versatility of the McCulloch supercharger is this latest listing of kits available for truck engines: Cummins 200 (Kenworth, Peterbilt, White, Diamond T, Autocar); Ford, ’56, F-100 through F-700, 2 or 4 bbl. carb either high or low mount fan; Ford ’54 through ’56, F-750 through F-900, 2 or 4 bbl. carb. Additional supercharger kits are being developed for Cummins HR and HRB, Mack Thermodyne, L-190 International, White and Reo-6.
Another McCulloch distributor in the news this month is Orville Bier, the major-domo of chain saws and superchargers in Boise, Idaho. It seems that Orville has been taking on all comers with his McCulloch supercharged ’55 Ford Ranch Wagon. In 12 competitive outings, he’s nabbed 11 trophies with his stick shift, overdrive wagon.
If you’ve ever peered into a video tube of an evening, chances are better than average that you’ve seen the name, Roland Reed, heading up such shows as My Little Margie, Waterfront, Mystery Theatre, etc. The noted TV producer has just completed installation of two McCulloch superchargers on a V-12 Scripps marine engine (one blower on each bank). The engine will power a 26 ft. boat owned by Mr. Reed.
This month’s mailbag contained a letter from a reader who wants to know “why all the fuss about engine performance and acceleration? Can’t people go fast enough now?”
Those are a couple of pretty fair questions, and I’d like to answer them now. Truth of the matter is, the McCulloch supercharger while adding from 5 to 20 mph to a car’s top speed and dramatically stepping-up 0 to 60 acceleration, is actually a tremendous safety factor! The reason: it provides a great amount of reserve horsepower for use in passing at highway speeds. Law enforcement officials will tell you that lack of acceleration when you need it is one of the big reasons for auto accidents. Another thing to remember about the McCulloch supercharger is that for all its good points, it does not cause a loss in engine smoothness or reliability.
If you’re interested in stepping up the performance of your automobile, jus twrite me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car and carburetor type; if you have power equipment, please describe it. I’ll send you price, details, an illustrated folder, and the name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer.
As this column goes to press, I’m on an extended tour of the U.S. in the McCulloch supercharged T-Bird which has carried off so many trophies in the drags. Even though we changed the differential gears to 3.31 for the road, it is still quite a going machine.
One of the most exciting days I’ve spent in a long while took place at the National Hot Rod Association drags in Kansas City, Mo., where McCulloch supercharged cars put on a real show.
In the A/Gas class final eliminations, for example, “Farmer Jones of Texas and Wilton Zaiser of Maryland waged a spirited dual with Zaiser coming out the winner by a nose. He was piloting a Model A Ford with a McCulloch supercharged Oldsmobile engine. Jones, who gave Zaiser a terrific battle, was behind the wheel of a coupe powered by a McCulloch supercharged Buick.
Most of the 1957 cars have already been unveiled to an admiring public. First reports out of Detroit predict that sales of the longer, lower, more powerful machines will zoom to new highs. To meet the demand of these higher output cars, we’ve been hard at work the last few months developing a new method for making the high speed shaft which will greatly increase the ultimate capacity of the 1957 McCulloch supercharger. Look for this new unit to make a world of difference in the performance of ’57 cars!
Add the name of Bob Osiecki, that well known Southern gentleman, to the growing list of McCulloch distributors. Bob, who runs the popular Osiecki Racing Equipment form at 1015 Seigle Ave., Charlotte, N.C., will handle distribution of McCulloch superchargers in both North and South Carolina.
The Southern California area has really been buzzing lately, what with hotly contested drag races exciting the speed afficianados at Santa Ana and Long Beach. McCulloch supercharged cars have done right well in these meets… for example, Al Hibrian of Los Angeles carted home two trophies in his stock T-Bird with a 101.31 mph clocking at Long Beach. Al’s car is a Fordomatic, with three carburetors.
At Santa Ana, a Swedish Volvo with Mel Hammer at the wheel, turned better than 74 mph to take first place in its class. Another T-Bird, this one chauffered by hometowner Pete Peters, ran away from the field with a sharp 109.5 mph mark at Santa Ana. Pretty impressive speeds, I’d say!
If you’d like to boost your cars horsepower up to 40%, greatly increase acceleration between 0-60 mph, and add between 5 to 20 mph to your top speed with no loss in smoothness or reliability, a McCulloch supercharger is the answer. Just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motor Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood, Calif., and I’ll send you full details including price, the name and address of your nearest dealer and an illustrated folder. Please specify the make and year of your car, carburetor type and power equipment, if any.
His competitors call him the “one-armed bandit” and when you check Al Heboian’s amazing record on Southern California’s drag strips, you’ll know why. Recently, at Santa Ana, Al took his McCulloch-supercharged T-Bird (Fordomatic, stock bore and stroke) up to a sizzling 101.33 mph from a standing start in the ¼ mile. Really traveling, I’d say!
Heboian, who lost his left arm in an accident siz years ago while towing his 1932 roadster to the dry lakes, is a tough customer in the drags. His 101.33 speed was achieved after he had installed a McCulloch supercharger and aluminum enclosure box on his Edlebrock triple carburetor manifold. As a result, he boosted his speed from the previous high of 82 mph.
A word of welcome this month to our three newest McCulloch supercharger distributors; Brennan’s Specialty Mechanix, 2445 E. 2nd St., Reno, Nev.; Auto Equipment & Supply, 2611 Gallatin Rd., Nashville, Tenn.; and Musselman Auto Service & Supply, 629 N. 22nd St., Louisville, Ky.
Lest you think that McCulloch superchargers are built only for speed, let me hasten to point out that SAFETY is one of the big reasons they’ve enjoyed such popularity in recent years. You see, McCulloch superchargers provide up to 200% more reserve horsepower for use in passing at highway speed. Law enforcement officials point out that lack of acceleration when you need it is one of the big reasons for auto accidents.
Don Tuttle, the capable announcer at the Santa Ana drags, and automotive writer for the Santa Ana register, can truthfully say the McCulloch supercharger has brought peace in his family. Seems that Don wanted to step the performance of his ’56 Mercury sedan, but his wife objected to the noise and rough idling which would have resulted from changing the bore and stroke. Solution? Don simply installed a McCulloch…the car is smooth, quiet and powerful…and his wife is happy!
We’ve received some letters in recent weeks in response to magazine articles which tended to minimize the improvement today’s high out-put cars can gain with a supercharger. I’d like to assure our readers that we haven’t been standing still, that we’ve stepped up our blower output to more than keep pace with increased engine horsepowers. We’re still adding up to 40% more horsepower to the newer, hotter engines, and expect to be able to do so for many years to come.
If you’re interested in boosting the output of your car while adding to its overall safety, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood, Calif. I’ll send you price, details, an illustrated folder and the name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer. Please tell me the year and make of your car, carburetor type and power equipment, if any.
Several months ago we brought out a new item, a carburetor enclosure box for owners of competition cars seeking the last word in engine performance. Made of polished cast aluminum, this special unit is designed for installation on cars with Edlebrock triple carburetor manifolds. It’s purpose is to equalize the air pressure inside and outside of the carburetors and to provide better air distribution to carburetor venturi’s – in short, it was built to step-up engine performance to it’s highest degree.
Well, last month, we reported on one-armed Al Heboian and the fact that he took his McCulloch supercharged T-Bird with enclosure box to 101.33 mph from a standing start in a quarter-mile. Since then, I’ve watched Harold Stephan of Los Angeles go 103.5 mph in his ’55 Corvette at the Long Beach drag strip. Like Heboian, Stephan has a stock bore and stroke engine in his car. With a little fine tuning, he expects to go better than 105!
Now I’d like to give a brief word of welcome to John Bandimere, owner of the Bandimere Mfg. Co. in Denver, who recently was appointed McCulloch supercharger distributor for the scenic state of Colorado. Long identified with high performance automotive equipment, John should attract lots of McCulloch enthusiasts to his headquarters at 3276 Benton St.
Note to owners of 1957 Chevrolets, Buicks and Lincolns (including Continental): McCulloch supercharger kits for these beauties are now available at all distributor shops. All of which reminds me that during the past six months we’ve set some sort of record for installing superchargers in so-called family-type cars. It used to be that almost all our sales were to people who drove their cars in competitive events such as the drags – but no more.
Today it’s not unusual to sell blowers to a family with a Plymouth station wagon and four kids or to a salesman for his Chevrolet sedan. The reasons, I think, are pretty obvious. The McCulloch supercharger does more – much more – than merely add speed. Most important of all, it provides up to 200% more reserve horsepower for use in passing at highway speed. And if you’ll check the accident records, you’ll find that lack of acceleration when you need it is one of the major causes of traffic mishaps.
If you want to boost your car’s performance, and its overall safety too, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and what power equipment you have. I’ll send you all the details promptly, including price, name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer and an illustrated folder.
A stamp collector would probably have a field day around my office, what with the large amount of mail I’ve been receiving from various points all over the globe. Interest in superchargers, judging from these letters, seems to be growing by leaps and bounds – even in such faraway places as Rhodesia, Turkey and the Union of South Africa.
Alex Strauss, the McCulloch supercharger rep in Capetown, South Africa, reports interest in blowers is at an all-time high among owners of family-type cars as well as sports models. Ditto for Louis Bueno, whose firm, Velocidad, Inc., sponsored a McCulloch supercharger exhibit at the Salon Internacional in Mexico City. Senor Bueno tells me that car enthusiasts flocked to his booth in droves during the big show.
NEW KIT DEPARTMENT: Now available are McCulloch supercharger kits for 1957 model Cadillac, Chrysler and Dodge cars. As usual, owners of the three makes mentioned here can look forward to even better acceleration and performance with no loss in engine reliability. By the way, I’d like to point out that McCulloch superchargers are standard equipment on 1957 model Packards – further proof that this is one item that’s growing favor with manufacturers. Others who have brought out models with blowers this year are Studebaker and Ford Thunderbird.
ATTENTION SPORTS CAR OWNERS: Chuck Porter, that popular body and fender repair expert from Hollywood, recently completed installation of a McCulloch supercharger on his sleek Mercedes 300-SL! To our knowledge, it’s the first of its kind, and to say it’s attracting tremendous interest would be putting it mildly. Chuck and his crew have already logged some fast times, but feel that with additional tuning, the SL will go like a bomb. We’ll have more on this one shortly.
Actually though, you don’t have to be a drag race enthusiast to enjoy the obvious benefits of a McCulloch supercharger. Many of our customers in fact, have never even watched a drag competition. They’re more interested in stepping up their overall performance and making their cars SAFER – and the McCulloch supercharger seems to be just the answer. Safe, effortless highway passing in a tight spot is a cinch with the extra horsepower a McCulloch provides.
If you want all the facts on the McCulloch supercharger, just write to me, giving me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and whatever power equipment you have. Send your letter to John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood, Calif., and I’ll get you all the details promptly, including price, name and address of your nearest dealer and an illustrated folder.
Spring is here, summer’s not far away and that means a marked upswing in drag race competition from Maine to California. From what I’ve seen so far, 1957 should be the most competitive year in history. This became apparent to me at Daytona Beach, Fla., scene of the recent NASCAR Speed Trials where auto makers entered factory cars in unprecedented numbers. Speaking of Daytona, my sojourn there was a most pleasant one, what with renewing so many old acquaintances and making so many new ones.
A while back I asked readers to tell me of any unusual McCulloch supercharger installations. Well, I received a letter from Ed Anderson and Dave Preda of Euclid, O., who are extremely active in Ohio drag race competition. Ed and Dave have a 1950 Pontiac Catalina with a ’54 Olds engine (full track camshaft), reworked dual-range Olds hydramatic, Cadillac Eldorado carburetor and, of course, a McCulloch supercharger. Total weight of the car is 4,090 lbs., so they’ve done right well in getting it over 90 mph in 15 sec.
Good news for readers in Southern Alabama and Western Florida: Frank Mallette, headman at Automotive Generator and Ignition Service, 553 Bell St., Montgomery, Ala., has just been appointed distributor of McCulloch superchargers in that area. Frank’s an old timer in this business and can always be counted on for dependable service.
NEW KIT DEPARTMENT: Now available are McCulloch supercharger kits for 1957 Buick and Plymouth cars. By the way, you might be interested in knowing that the supercharger on the new 300 horsepower Ford is made by McCulloch expressly for this high performance beauty.
SPECIAL TO HOT RODDERS: By using a hot cam, you can increase your compression ratio, run more spark, and thus get the last word in performance from your McCulloch supercharged engine.
Lest you think that McCulloch superchargers are made only for the hot rod enthusiast, let me hasten to assure you that such is definitely not the case. While it’s true that blowers first achieved prominence in the drags and other speed events, today’s supercharger owner may be a traveling salesman, dentist or bank president, with no desire to race his car. What these people are looking for is stepped-up performance and increased safety – and the McCulloch supercharger provides both. You see, it’s safer and easier to pass at highway speed with a McCulloch and this can help you avoid the possibility of a serious accident in a tight spot.
For more information, just wrote to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products Division, McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 West Olive St., Inglewood, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and what power equipment you have. I’ll get you all the important details promptly.
Racing is definitely in the news these days what with the Indianapolis 500 –miler, and various sports and stock car events filling the sports pages. In addition, racing seems to be continuing its hold on Hollywood’s movie-makers, the latest offering being Paramount’s exciting “Devil’s Hairpin,” starring Cornell Wilde and, believe it or not, Chuck Porter’s McCulloch supercharged Mercedes 300-SL!
Chuck, the hard-driving body and fender magnate from Hollywood, loaned his sleek white job to Paramount for the filming of the thrilling race scenes. In fact, Chuck himself even piloted the SL in much of the action. We’re glad to report that his trusty McCulloch helped power the car to victory in a spine-tingling finish.
NEW KIT DEPARTMENT: Now available are McCulloch supercharger kits for 1957 Oldsmobile 88 and 98 models. This means that there is now a McCulloch kit for virtually every American made ’57 car.
Ford’s latest innovation, the all-purpose Ranchero, seems to be catching on. And during the past few months we’ve installed scores of McCulloch superchargers on them. One thing I’ve noted is that many Ranchero owners are substituting the 312 cu. in. Thunderbird engine for the 245 in. power plant that’s stock on the car-truck. This, plus McCulloch supercharging, makes the Ranchero a hot number indeed.
A letter received recently from McCulloch distributor Duane DePuy of Cleveland tells of the hot performance turned in at the Flagler Air Strip Drag Races in Florida by Ronnie Hasso. A Cleveland resident, Hasso won five class trophies in six nights running with his ’56 Chevrolet two door sedan (completely stock ’57 engine with factory optional cam, straight-through mufflers and McCulloch supercharger blowing through a single four barrel carburetor). Ronnie’s speeds ranged from a low of 94 mph to 101 mph in the standing start quarter-mile.
NEW PRODUCT DEPARTMENT: The Paxton Fuel Pressure Regulator, a low priced, high quality accessory to prevent carburetor loading and improve mileage is now available at all McCulloch distributors and dealers. Though it was originally designed for supercharged cars, the new Paxton unit will greatly increase the fuel system efficiency of any car.
If you’ve thought of stepping up your car’s performance and acceleration without sacrificing engine smoothness or reliability, chances are a McCulloch supercharger is just the answer. And the extra 40% horsepower the McCulloch delivers can be used another way, too – for safe, sure highway passing.
For complete details on the McCulloch supercharger, just wrote to me, John Thompson, Paxton products Div., McCulloch Motors Corp., 827 W. Olive St., Inglewood. Calif. Tell me the year and make of your car, carburetor type and list the power equipment you have. I’ll send you the price. Together with an illustrated folder and the name and address of your nearest dealer.
There have been times in recent months, due to the increased demand for McCulloch superchargers, when we’ve been really cramped for space at our Inglewood, Calif., headquarters. As a result, we’ve been scouring the Southern California area for a place where we could stretch out a little – and, of course, improve our operation all the way around.
Well, after all the weeks of patient searching, we’ve found a spot that’s just the answer – a brand new building at 929 Olympic Blvd. in Santa Monica. Double in floor space, our new home will help us provide better local installation service plus faster shipment of McCulloch superchargers to points all over the world.
For years now I’ve been impressed with the unusual quality and precision engineering of the British-made Lodge platinum-pointed sparkplug. Originally designed for use in Allied aircraft during World War II, the Lodge platinum plug is probably the most versatile in the world since it operates perfectly over a heat range twice that of any ordinary sparkplug.
This expanded heat range is important when you consider that at 8 to 1 compression, the gasoline burns in the cylinder at temperatures of higher than 3,300 degrees. Most sparkplug points are made of nickel alloy which melts at about 2,650 degrees. It’s no wonder then, that ordinary plugs last only five to six thousand miles in today’s engines compared to double or triple that mileage in pre-war models. The Lodge platinum-pointed plug will hold it’s gap adjustment three to five times as long as conventional types and will perform with complete reliability for 30,000 to 50,0000 miles – even longer where engine stresses are comparatively low.
What I’m leading up to is that McCulloch supercharger distributors and dealers are now stocking and installing this premium quality plug. Once you’ve tried Lodge, I’m convinced you’ll never go back to ordinary spark plugs again.
If you’ve been reading the racing news lately or attending the various stock car events, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that the McCulloch supercharged 1957 Ford has been outperforming all its competition – even cars with fuel injection! This is pretty conclusive proof, I think, that supercharging is still the most practical means for stepping up engine performance – without loss of smoothness or reliability.
If you want to boost your car’s horsepower up to 40%, greatly increase acceleration between 0-60 mph, and add from 5 to 20 mph to your top speed, a McCulloch supercharger is just what the doctor ordered. For full details, including free illustrated folder, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and power equipment, if any.
The famed brickyard at Indianapolis never had it so fast as it did last Memorial Day when record after record was shattered with almost monotonous regularity. And when the dust had cleared and the noise had quieted down, a couple of our McCulloch supercharger distributors were well up among the finishers.
Jim Rathmann, who operates a thriving McCulloch distributorship in Miami, took runner-up honours in the annual Hoosier classic, finishing a scant 23 seconds winner Sam hanks. Jim, who led the pack for 24 laps, had a mark of 135.42 mph – fast enough to have won any previous 500-miler – but had to settle for seconds place.
A pair of racers entered by our distributor, Sumar Speed Equipment of Terre Haute, Ind., took 7th and 8th places, respectively, with Marshall Teague and Pat O’Conner at the wheel. Believe it or not, the speeds turned in by these two pilots (just over 132 mph) were faster than the former record set by the late Bill Vukovich in 1954!
NEW KIT DEPARTMENT: just off the line and ready for installation are new McCulloch supercharger kits for 1957 Cadillac and Chrysler air conditioned cars. Guess you might call these jobs the “hottest cool cars in captivity.”
Fast times were the order of the day on Southern California drag strips recently with impressive marks being turned in by Jack Bailey and Pete Peters. Bailey, the Los Angeles tool company exec. Took his stock bore and stroke ’57 Corvette to 109.63 mph at Long beach, while Peters ’55 T-Bird got up to a sizzling 112 mph at Santa Ana.
Bailey used three carburetors with McCulloch enclosure box and supercharger in his 283 cu. in. Corvette. Peters set his mark using a three pot manifold with McCulloch supercharger in his 342 cu. in. Bird.
Well, we’re still in the process of getting used to our new plant at 929 Olympic Blvd. In Santa Monica, Calif., but the way things are perking along, we should be right at home in a few more days. For one thing, our shipments of superchargers to points all over the world should be greatly speeded up, thanks to our more efficient working quarters.
If you’d like the facts on how a McCulloch supercharger can step-up the performance of your car with no loss of smoothness or reliability, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products, 9292 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and whatever power equipment you have. I’ll send you all the details promptly, including price, and illustrated folder and the name and address of your nearest dealer.
With the mercury up near the 100 mark in many parts of the country, the problem of vapor lock is pretty widespread among owners of all types of cars. In fact, I’ve had a number of letters in recent weeks from readers who want to know what they can do to avoid this annual problem.
One of the best ways I know to head off vapor lock is by boosting primary fuel pressure, either with a heavier spring in the mechanical pump, or through the addition of an electrical fuel pump. Either way, though, you’ll be wise to install a McCulloch pressure regulator as a means of controlling the added fuel pressure.
Speaking of pressure regulators, we have them in two models: 1) the Standard, with fixed setting, for stock passenger cars and for supercharged cars not used in competition and 2) The High Capacity Model, with adjustable pressure setting, for modified and competition cars, blown or unblown. Either one will go a long way toward helping solve the problem of vapor lock.
Those hard-working Granatelli brothers – Andy, Joe and Vincent – have expanded their busy McCulloch supercharger distributorship at 5150 N. Western Ave. in Chicago to include marine engines as well as automotive. Formerly known as Grancor Automotive Specialists, the Granatellis’ firm now goes under the name of Automarine Specialists, Inc., to reflect their expanded operation.
Active as owner-mechanics at Indianapolis and many other major speed events for years, the Granatellis are also real pros at boosting the performance of ordinary passenger cars. Just a few weeks ago, for example, Vincent took his ’56 mercury with McCulloch supercharger up to a blazing 112.56 mph in the quarter-mile “A” Gas event at Chicago!
Judging from the reports out of Detroit, it won’t be long before the 1958 model cars are unveiled. Several makes, we understand, are due for significant changes – in appearance as well as under-the- hood. Others, of course, will undergo just minor face-lifting. All of them, though, are expected to easy on the eyes.
As far as we are concerned, we’re hard at work in our new plant developing improved McCulloch superchargers for the ’58 cars. Shortly after these new autos reach dealer’s showrooms, we’ll be able to supply McCullochs to owners who want the last word in performance. As you know, these competition-proven blowers add up to 40% to a car’s horsepower output with no loss in smoothness or reliability.
If you want to step up the performance of your car, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car, carburetor type and the power equipment you have. I’ll send you all the details promptly, including price, the name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer, and a free illustrated folder.
FLASH FROM DETROIT! – Latest word from the Motor City is that the 1958 Plymouth will have an even higher cubic inch displacement than its famous, well-powered ’57 predecessor. The wraps are slated to come off the new model early in November. The larger engine, when combined with a McCulloch supercharger should make the Plymouth one of the “performance giants” of ’58.
Speaking of happenings in Michigan, the team of Andy Hotten and Dean McCann created considerable interest recently at the Tecumseh drag races when they bettered 100 mph for the quarter-mile with their McCulloch supercharged ’57 Ford. Entered in the super-stock class, the 312 cu. in. Ford spread-eagled the field in winning the championship trophy.
The West Coast wasn’t without it’s records, either, as Jack bailey took his stock bore and stroke ’57 Corvette up to a sizzling 112.35 mph in the standing quarter-mile at Santa Ana. Equipped with three carburetors and a McCulloch supercharger and enclosure box, bailey’s car bettered it’s non-supercharged record by more than 15 mph and it’s previous supercharged mark by almost 3 mph.
While mentioning the terrific speed marks that are being racked up in the drags, it might be apropos to point out that McCulloch superchargers are not built solely for speed – or for speed enthusiasts. True, they add up to 20 mph to a car’s top speed and as much as 40% in horsepower, but it’s probably not widely known that they improve a car’s overall safety too!
Here’s what I mean: The supercharger provides a great amount of reserve horsepower for use in passing at highway speeds. Law enforcement officials will tell you that lack of acceleration when you need it is one of the biggest reasons for auto accidents on the highway. How many times have you been in a tight driving spot and wished you’d had the extra acceleration to get you out of trouble? If you’re an average driver, chances are it’s happened almost every time you’ve gotten out on the road.
And another fact to remember is that for all its good performance points, the McCulloch supercharger causes no loss in engine smoothness or reliability, even at idling speed. I think that this, plus the safety aspects of the McCulloch blower, accounts for the tremendous acceptance the product had had from owners of stock passenger cars and station wagons – people you wouldn’t normally consider supercharger prospects.
If you want all the details on the McCulloch supercharger, including price, the name and address of your nearest dealer and a free illustrated folder, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. I’ll see that you get this information in a hurry.
That’s all for now… see you next month.
The newest of the new among the 1958 passenger cars – the smartly styled Edsel – drew an appreciative crowd at the International Motor Sports Show in Gardena, Calif., a few weeks ago. Installed on the engine of the streamlined new beauty was the first McCulloch supercharger especially designed for the ’58 Edsel. Incidentally, you’re in for a thrill when you take the wheel of the new Edsel with McCulloch blower – it’s a real driving experience.
Many of you know the success that McCulloch superchargers enjoyed during 1957 as optional factory equipment on the Ford V-8 and Thunderbird. Well, this same new type blower is now available for the ’58 Ford and T-Bird at your nearest McCulloch supercharger dealer. We’ll keep you posted as McCullochs become available for other ’58 cars.
Here’s a thought: A reader from Stamford, Conn., writes in to suggest “How about giving a McCulloch supercharger to your best guy for Christmas?” Sounds like a slick idea to me, especially for the proverbial “man who has everything.”
HOT PERFORMANCE DEPT.- A Chrysler powered Lakester sponsored by McCulloch distributor Bill Lord of Bakersfield, Calif., chalked up the amazing speed of 208 mph recently at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. With Lloyd Scott at the wheel, the McCulloch supercharged vehicle was clocked by the Southern California Timing Assn. at 208 MILES PER HOUR… How’s that for getting someplace in a hurry!
From time to time in this column, we’re pleased to share stories of unusual McCulloch supercharger installations with our readers. Here’s one that should be of interest to anyone who’s ever yearned to sail the deep blue sea:
Jack Klein, operator of a thriving Los Angeles machine shop, installed a McCulloch supercharger on the Dearborn Interceptor marine engine (Ford conversion) which powers his medium-sized fishing boat. In his preliminary runs between the mainland and Catalina Island – about 26 miles – Klein reported his 312 cu. in. V-8 engine purred like a kitten. One thing’s for sure – Mr. Klein is the skipped of the fastest fishing boat afloat! We’ll have more to report on the Dearborn Interceptor in a future column.
If you’d like to know more about the McCulloch supercharger… how it can add up to 40% to your car’s horsepower with no loss in engine smoothness or reliability, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car and list the power equipment you have. I’ll send you the full details in a jiffy, including price, the name and address of your nearest dealer and a free illustrated folder.
That Ol’ Devil Smog’s been in the news again. Apparently, Los Angeles no longer has a monopoly on the eye-smarting, throat-choking stuff. Many other cities in various parts of the country report substantial increases in air pollution despite the efforts of local authorities.
One of the smog culprits, according to the experts, is the diesel truck which has become a vital link in the nation’s transportation network in recent years. And since just about everyone depends on the diesel for food and other necessities, you can be certain it’s here to stay.
Perhaps that’s one reason we’re so pleased with the results of McCulloch supercharger diesel installations thus far. Fleet operators who have used McCullochs on their trucks report not only increased performance and better mileage, but virtually smoke-free operation as well. And with smog violation tickets costing what they do, it’s easy to see why those who installed McCulloch blowers on their diesel rigs wouldn’t do without them. We’ll have more to report on diesel installations in a future column.
A couple of “old pro’s” at the business of getting extra performance out of automobile engines are our newest McCulloch supercharger distributors. Known as Holman and Moody (Great name!), the partnership headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., but covers both the Carolinas. John Holman most recently served as manager of the DePaolo Ford racing team, while Ralph Moody is one of the country’s top stock car drovers, having piloted a McCulloch supercharged Ford at the 1957 Daytona Beach National Speed Week competition. As members of the Ford racing team, Holman and Moody were so tickled with the McCulloch supercharger, “we decided we wanted to handle ‘em.”
A reader from Baltimore, Md., wants to know if we will have a McCulloch supercharger for the 1958 Corvette. The answer is “yes”… the new variable ratio blower will be available for the ’58 and will retro-fit earlier model Corvettes, too. Kits for ’58 model Chevrolets will be available shortly at McCulloch dealers everywhere. Already on the market are the new VR blowers for Ford, T-Bird and Edsel.
Speaking of the Edsel, Beacon Edsel Sales of Inglewood, Calif., is using a McCulloch supercharged car as a demonstrator, much to the delight of prospective customers. According to agency owner, Clarence Pickrell, folks have really been flocking to the showroom for a test drive of this latest “dream car.”
If you want to boost your car’s performance by as much as 40% with no loss in engine smoothness or reliability, a McCulloch supercharger may just be the answer. For all the details, including price, the name and address of your nearest dealer and a free illustrated folder, just write to me, John Thompson, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. I’ll see that you get the information right away.
Our postman has been kept busy lately delivering letters from readers who’ve asked about the differences between the new McCulloch VR (variable ratio) supercharger and it’s popular predecessor of the past few years.
Well, the most apparent difference – at least n the outside – is that the new VR blower is more compact and thus can fit more easily into a limited area. At the same time, though, its capacity is higher than before as a result of some special engineering advances.
The McCulloch supercharger of yesteryear operated by means of a variable speed pulley. This required a proper geometric relationship between the drive pulley and idler pulley and, of course, made it a pretty tough installation for the layman.
On the new VR blower, the variable speed ratio is controlled inside by the engine oil pressure rather than by the supercharger air pressure. This makes for steadier, more positive control. Incidentally, installation problems have been minimized, too, with this compact new unit. For the time being, the new VR blower will be available only for ’58 model cars and custom installations.
The Northwest timber country was the scene recently of a dramatic test of supercharged versus non-supercharged vehicles. Jim Flanagan, McCulloch supercharger distributor in Portland, Ore., conducted a special 20 mile test for the owner of a big logging operation. Identical Reo V-8 logging trucks were used – one with supercharger and one without.
After 20 miles, the supercharged truck was five miles ahead of it’s unblown competitor. The driver reported “easier, more powerful acceleration on hills and much less down-shifting” as a result of Flanagan’s supercharger installation.
NEW CAR DEPT. – McCulloch superchargers are now available for the ’58 Chevrolet and Corvette. This brings to six the number of new cars on which the VR blower can be installed. Edsel, Ford, T-Bird and Mercury all were announced earlier.
Speaking of Chevy, the ’57 Belair owned by McCulloch’s Denver distributor, John Bandimere, took top honors in the recent Hot Rod magazine sponsored acceleration trials. Equipped with a fuel injection Corvette engine and new McCulloch VR blower, Bandimere’s Chevy went from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 sec., while carrying four passengers!
If you want to know what a McCulloch supercharger can do for your car in boosting horsepower, acceleration and top speed, just write to me for the full particulars. Tell me the year and make of your car as well as the power equipment you have. I’ll send you a free illustrated folder, together with the price and the name and address of your nearest McCulloch dealer. Write to John Thompson, Paxton Products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif.
Although it’s probably hard to believe in certain parts of the country, what with the snow on the ground and a chill in the air, the fact is that Spring will be here in just a matter of weeks.
And while we’ve never used this column as a weather almanac before, we point out the passing of the seasons only to emphasize the need for preventative maintenance on your car – whether it’s a sleek new ’58 or an “old reliable” of earlier vintage.
With the coming of Spring, it’s a smart idea to get your car ready for Summer, the season when you log the most miles and subject it to the toughest operating conditions. Most obvious things to check are the cooling system, brakes, tires and fuel system. A few dollars spent now can save you lots of money and needless grief later on.
Spring might be a good time also to investigate the merits of installing a McCulloch supercharger on your car. Believe it or not, even older models respond beautifully to a McCulloch installation, by bringing out performance you never imagined was possible. Actual tests prove a McCulloch can boost engine horsepower as much as 40% with no loss in smoothness or reliability.
If you’d like more information, just write to me, John Thompson, Paxton Products, 929 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tell me the make and year of your car and list the power equipment you have. I’ll send you all the details, including price, the name and address of your nearest dealer and an illustrated folder. Remember, we have McCulloch supercharger kits available for just about every V-8 automobile.
Last month we introduced our newest automotive product – the Paxton Sentry. Since then we’ve been literally besieged with inquiries about this unique remote control garage door opener. The point that seemed to interest readers most was the fact that the Sentry can be installed in just a matter of minutes – without the need for expensive special wiring.
If you use your garage for storing tools and other valuables, you’ll appreciate the “burglar proof” locking feature provided by the Sentry. The door will remain locked until you want it to open – and then merely by pushing a button in your car or home.
The Sentry is moderately priced and designed to last a lifetime. Since it won’t be long until the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day holidays arrive, you might consider the Paxton Sentry for it’s excellent gift possibilities. For full information on the Sentry, including the price and where to buy it, just drop me a card. I’ll see that you get the details in a jiffy.