Mother-Daughter Mopar Shootout
A MOTHER & DAUGHTER-IN-LAW COMBINATION THAT’S TOUGH TO BEAT!
Story Dave Verna - May 01, 2011 09:00 AM
DAVE VERNA
Linda’s 440 has the original intake and carbs stored away in the garage. Her husband Jim states that it’s a lot faster with the single four-barrel on top.DAVE VERNA
Tammy’s 440 pushes this back-halfed R4 Runner into the 10s in the summer heat, which is more then enough to get your blood pumping!DAVE VERNA
Tammy’s ’Runner makes quick work of those 16x33 Hoosiers out back! The 5,000 rpm stall converter really whacks the 4.88s in the Dana 60!DAVE VERNA
With Linda in the far lane and Tammy in the near lane, it looks like Linda got the tree this time! With both cars wheels up and lift off hoods sucking fresh air down the strip, this team of ’68 and ’69 Road Runners would be a tough combination to beat if they were in the same class. During the Chrysler Classic events, Tammy runs Pro and Linda runs Super Pro.DAVE VERNA
Son to Linda and hubby to Tammy, Jimmy Gibson gets in on the action with his ’64 Plymouth. They need the whole family to keep all the cars in top condition!
The fact that these rare Road Runners are still beating the pavement like they were intended to do is something the Gibsons should be proud of! Unlike the ladies in this shootout, the cars have been related since birth – but you can tell that already – can’t ya?Say hello to the Gibson family – Jim, Linda, Jimmy and Tammy. We can honestly say it’s a family affair that keeps these two ladies going down the strip. Father Jim and son Jimmy do all the engine work on both cars, and Jimmy does double duty as paint and body man when needed.
This story starts way back in 1969. Linda and Jim Gibson, from Mogadore, Ohio, purchased a 440 six-barrel Road Runner new and have been beating on it ever since. Yes, they are the original owners, and Jim was racing it until 1974 when Linda took over driving duties. She has been behind the wheel of this B-Body ever since. The ’69 A-12 cars were designed for racing, so we are proud that the Gibsons are still using their Plymouth as it was intended instead of being in a climate-controlled storage facility to only see the light of day if you slap on your white gloves.
Then, there’s Tammy’s ’68 Road Runner that has been in the family since 1991, and she took over shortly after marrying into the family. Tammy and Jimmy reside in North Canton, Ohio, and are just as addicted to racing as Linda and Jim. Tammy admits to winning a few races here and there but tells us that she really could care less, it’s not the destination – it’s the journey for the Gibsons. Tammy is not interested in every new part on the market, or every last tenth, but in keeping the car just the way it is and to continue racing it as much as she can.
Mother: Linda Gibson
Car Owners: Jim and Linda Gibson
Location: Mogadore, Ohio
Year/Make/Model: 1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Curb Weight: 3,292 lbs.
Race Weight: unknown
Engine: 440
Built by: Jim and Jimmy Gibson/machine work by Compu Flo
Pistons: Ross
Rods: Eagle
Crank: Eagle
Cam: Comp Cam (.567/.579 lift)
Heads: Edelbrock
Compression Ratio: 12:1
Intake Manifold: Edelbrock Victor
Carb/Jets: Quick Fuel 850
Ignition: Mallory
Total timing: 35 degrees
Exhaust: two-inch Hooker headers
Power Adder: none
Transmission: 727 Torque Flight
Converter/Clutch: 8-inch ATI converter/5,600 rpm stall
Shifter: Turbo Action
Rear Type/Gear Ratio: Dana 60/4.56
Brakes: Factory drum
Wheels: Weld
Tires: Hoosier/29x12 rear tire size
Suspension: stock (front), Ladder bar with housing floaters (rear)
Chassis mods: frames are tied
Interior mods: original seating replaced with racing seats
Safety mods: roll bar and five-point harness
Paint: R4 red with a red primer base
Linda’s words
“This 1969 Plymouth Road Runner is part of our family. We try to keep it as nice as possible, but also enjoy it as much as possible. When I hear the car start up in the spring, it gives me a new feeling that we are going to have a great summer. Thanks to my husband and son for all of their help and support, for without them I would
not be doing this. I love racing!”
Daughter-in-law: Tammy Gibson
Car Owners: Jimmy and Tammy Gibson
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Year/Make/Model: 1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Curb Weight: 3,325 lbs.
Race Weight: Can’t give away a girl’s weight!
Engine: 440
Built by: Jimmy Gibson/machine work by Compu Flo
Pistons: J & E flat top
Rods: Eagle
Crank: Eagle
Cam: Crane Cam (.580/.600 lift)
Heads: Edelbrock
Compression Ratio: 13:1
Intake Manifold: Edelbrock Victor
Carb/Jets: Holley 850/86 front and 87 rear
Ignition: Mallory
Total timing: 35 degrees
Exhaust: two-inch Hooker with 3½-inch exhaust
Power Adder: “My right foot”
Transmission: 727 Torque Flight
Converter/Clutch: 9-inch TCI 5,000 rpm stall
Shifter: Turbo Action
Rear Type/Gear Ratio: Dana 60/4.88
Brakes: Wilwood Disc/Drum brakes
Wheels: Weld
Tires: Hoosier/16½x33 rear tire size
Suspension: stock (front), ladder bar with coilover shocks (rear)
Chassis Mods: back halved
Interior Mods: original seating replaced with racing seats
Safety Mods: full roll cage, five-point harness, window net
Paint: R4 red with a red primer as base
Tammy’s words
“I met my husband in 1995 and supported his racing the entire time of dating. We married in 2000, and in 2001, Jimmy put me in the car. Needless to say, I was hooked. I knew life without racing, but now I can’t imagine life without it. I go racing to have fun, and if I end up in the final round, well then it’s just a bonus. People always say that everything is for sale for the right amount of money. For now, I can say my car is part of who I am, and there is no amount of money that would make me change that. I have my husband and the support of his parents to thank for that.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Linda Gibson – ’69 Road Runner (rpm - launch 3,500, shift 6,000, trap 6,800)
Run 1 – 1.512 (60 ft), 7.056 (1/8-mile ET), 11.19 @ 118.08 (¼-mile)
Run 2 – 1.534 (60 ft), 7.086 (1/8-mile ET), 11.18 @ 119.30 (¼-mile)
Run 3 – 1.527 (60 ft), 7.062 (1/8-mile ET), 11.17 @ 118.64 (¼-mile)
Tammy Gibson – ’68 Road Runner (rpm – launch 2,500, shift 6,500)
Run 1 – 1.640 (60 ft), 7.101 (1/8-mile ET), 11.12 @ 122.08 (¼-mile)
Run 2 – 1.654 (60 ft), 7.109 (1/8-mile ET), 11.12 @ 121.85 (¼-mile)
Run 3 – 1.624 (60 ft), 6.995 (1/8-mile ET), 10.97 @ 122.29 (¼-mile)
Run 4 – 1.619 (60 ft), 6.988 (1/8-mile ET), 10.962 @ 122.29 (¼-mile)