Hot rods and street machines sporting vintage speed parts are popular these days. But sometimes you’ve gotta wonder just how “hot” some of that vintage performance really was. Nostalgia is great, but the pace of automotive technology has advanced just a bit past the late-’60s (even Mopar guys have to admit that!).
Nonetheless, we’ll confess to feeling that old stuff is just cooler than new stuff a lot of the time (otherwise most of us on staff wouldn’t drive cars that were built before we were born). Among the coolest old speed parts were the multiple induction setups that were wildly popular throughout the ’50s and ’60s. Back in the day, virtually every make and model of engine had some form of crazy factory or aftermarket intake manifold carrying two, three, six, or even eight carburetors! Whether they worked or not, the curb appeal of multiple carbs splayed out across the top of an engine is undeniable.
If you’re a fan of the Ford 289-302 family of small-blocks, you’ll remember the dual-quad Cobra intakes that were available as over-the-counter, dealer-installed options during the ’60s. Edelbrock offered a similar configuration—the F-28, which is now back in production, along with matching 500-cfm Performer carbs and progressive linkage. Desperate to put this setup to the test (and in a car), we got our hands on a brand-new Ford Racing Performance Parts 345-horse 302 crate engine. Rated at 345 hp with stock 5.0L Mustang fuel injection, we suspected that the crate engine would make way more power with a carburetor or two, and we weren’t disappointed.
