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SupER GAS '63 CORVETTE

LENARd MARSHAll

ORANgE, VA.

In January 2004, Lenard Marshall had successful colon-cancer surgery, The 53-year-old engine builder, of Orange, Va., then KeL out to find a new race car and a month later purchased the '63 Corvette Super Casser that ho drove at the O'Reilly NIIKA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Q,

"When the doctor told me I could go facing or do whatever I wonted to do, 1 purchased this ear and went back to racing," said Marshall. "I purchased it lVoin a guy in Ohio, who I think had it built. I don't know if IK- won a race with it, but I think ho got Best Appearing in Chicago."

Marshall debated the car at last year's Thunder Valley Nationals, and in just his sixth race with it, be won the Division 1 Lucas oil Drag Racing Series event at Ateo Raceway in Ai.eo, RJ. it was the first NHRA victory for the Super Gas veteran, who first, competed in the class at the inaugural 1985 NIIRA Nationals in Reading.

"Until last year, I hadn't been to a national event in four or five years," said Marshall. "Fd run a [divisional! race or two hero and there, but between helping my nephew and my son race, f didn't have a lot of time,"

Marshall's '63 Corvette was built by Suncoast Race Cars and features a four-link rear suspension and strut, front end.

"I'd looked at Suncoast cars, and I was going to have a new one built, but. it was going Lo take eight to 10 weeks, and then I'd have to finish it," said Marshall. "1 saw this Car for sale, and it was just a really nice car, Everything was there; if was ready Lo go."

The car is powered by a 555-cid Chevy that Marshall built and maintains at bis shop. HLM Racing Engines.

"I do all of my own work," said Marshall, has been building racing engines for more years. "It's not real Uuimpin' 555; me that I feel 1 can probably put 1,000 on [without hurt.ingl il."

Marshail uses a Merlin block. Dart cylinder heads and intake manifold, Holley Dominator carburetor, MSD ignition, ami Biondo delay box. Internal components include! a Comp Cams camshaft J&V, pistons, Manley rods, Speed Pro rings and bearings, and Lunati crankshaft,

Marshail also Imill. the car's two-speed Powertransmission using BT components and a Transmission Specialist converter. The nine-inch Ford reaf end holds 4.30 years, and Moser axles turn (Soodyear urcs mounted on Weld wheels. With driver, the car weighs 2,300 pounds.

As he did last year in Bristol, Marshall, who gets help from his girlfriend Breiraa Johnson and his nephew Doug Marshall, lost in round one.

Copyright National Hot Rod Association May 20, 2005
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