Tom Geib's fairly stock '62 409 ran high 13s with slicks. Dedicated to the memory of longtime 409 racer and friend to all W-engine devotees, Fred Totten, the Fred Totten Memorial Shootout at Thompson Raceway Park in Ohio this past June saw 70 409s entered (30 show/street machines and 40 in competition). There were 24 '62 409s-a possible record for the new millennium. You'd probably have to go back to '62 to find that many competing in one place. Officially, planning began a year ago and the event went off flawlessly thanks to the efforts of '60 Chevy 409 racer Ray Barnhart. For more background, please consult the October 2009 issue of Super Chevy. Rather than repeat said text, we'd rather use this editorial space for actual event coverage. One of the highlights was seeing all the car owners and their families singing "Happy Birthday" to Hayden Proffitt, who was celebrating his 83rd. Washington, Pennsylvania's Bo Martin now campaigns the late Fred Totten's '63 Impala SS 409. In 1965, Totten and racing partner Dean LaPole flat-towed from Ohio to Hayden Proffitt's shop in California for some engine work. Note "HP" door art.Washington, Pennsylvania's Bo Martin now campaigns the late Fred Totten's '63 Impala SS 40 The Guest of Honor and the Car of Honor were legendary 409 racer Hayden Proffitt and Harold Clay's official Proffitt '62 409 replica. Photo courtesy of Ken Reeves.The Guest of Honor and the Car of Honor were legendary 409 racer Hayden Proffitt and Harol The Wully Bully Bel Airs of Carl Bucks (9.90 e.t., far lane) and son-in-law, Steven Moyer (10.40 e.t.) put on a great show wherever they race.The Wully Bully Bel Airs of Carl Bucks (9.90 e.t., far lane) and son-in-law, Steven Moyer The big 409s have the history, but if you want to build a car today, a Chevy II would be the more economical way to go fast. Dave Mills' Michigan-based deuce runs 9.80s at 134 with wheelies on every run.The big 409s have the history, but if you want to build a car today, a Chevy II would be t Indiana's Bill Horvat also came to make some test runs as his Code Red '62 as it had a new untested engine combo. He ran a 10.25/133 mph best. He also cut 0.02 reaction times and would have made the HR-1 finals, but he broke out by 0.006-second. He began drag racing in a new '60 348 El Camino at U.S. 30.Indiana's Bill Horvat also came to make some test runs as his Code Red '62 as it had a new Last year's HR-1 winner, Barry Taylor, made it to the finals again this year, running strong 9.70s. The car is presently for sale.Last year's HR-1 winner, Barry Taylor, made it to the finals again this year, running stro Veteran 409 racers know how to do things right. Ray Lehberger's engine speaks volumes about "show and go." His 482 sports a Dave Hughes sheetmetal intake with two Demon 750 cfm carbs, Bob Walla Racing aluminum heads and Jere Stahl headers.Veteran 409 racers know how to do things right. Ray Lehberger's engine speaks volumes abou Michigan's Jim Kwiatkowski got some Super Chevy fame almost 30 years ago when his red M/T cross-ram 409 '57 was pictured in the Classic Chevy Convention coverage. He still owns it today, although it is now dark blue and his rare cross-ram is now chrome-plated.Michigan's Jim Kwiatkowski got some Super Chevy fame almost 30 years ago when his red M/T New Jersey's Allen George runs a really fast '62 409 with new Bob Walla Racing aluminum heads. A nice new blue paint job made the Impala a tenth quicker (10.60s). Really.New Jersey's Allen George runs a really fast '62 409 with new Bob Walla Racing aluminum he One of Hayden Proffitt's biggest fans is Carl Bucks of '62 Wully Bully fame. Bucks' bubbletop has permanent entry number 612. This was Proffitt's NHRA number in '62 when he was the U.S. Nats S/S Eliminator champion against the Ramchargers Max Wedge Dodge.One of Hayden Proffitt's biggest fans is Carl Bucks of '62 Wully Bully fame. Bucks' bubble One of the most unassuming 409ers is Denny Ford. His non-descript turquoise sedan is the proverbial sleeper. His steel '62 482/409 ran 10.30s and 10.40s.One of the most unassuming 409ers is Denny Ford. His non-descript turquoise sedan is the p Ray Barnhard's '60 runs 12.40s with auto overdrive transmission and a bunch of other mods. Best of all, it can be driven anywhere, thanks in part to its 700-R4 transmission.Ray Barnhard's '60 runs 12.40s with auto overdrive transmission and a bunch of other mods. The Phantom '55 409 looks like a Chevy from the past-only better. Jim Carnaito and Jim Comeau borrowed the modified 409 out of their '62 SS convertible and ran 10.20s with the '55. We think it will run in the high nines in '11.The Phantom '55 409 looks like a Chevy from the past-only better. Jim Carnaito and Jim Com Indiana 409ers Rich Kopanski, Dave Weslowski, Dad, Wes and Bill Horvat missed the group photo call. Their combined trophies and awards from the fifties to today would fill a garage or basement.Indiana 409ers Rich Kopanski, Dave Weslowski, Dad, Wes and Bill Horvat missed the group ph Veteran racer Ralph Dehne of Illinois wouldn't have missed the Fred Totten Memorial Shootout for anything. He had a new engine combo to flog. His '63 has Z-11 aluminum fenders and more.Veteran racer Ralph Dehne of Illinois wouldn't have missed the Fred Totten Memorial Shooto The only Chevy in the entire world with hand-made, wrinkle-free, aluminum inner fenders is Ralph Dehne's. Long story-stay tuned.The only Chevy in the entire world with hand-made, wrinkle-free, aluminum inner fenders is By Doug Marion Enjoyed this Post? 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