Hot Rods and Racing Cars #68

Buzz Morrison inherits his late father's passion for stock car racing and finally convinces his reluctant dad to let him compete in the National 400 at Charlotte—a grueling 267-lap test of skill and nerve at high speeds. When Buzz qualifies and climbs into the pack, he discovers that raw talent alone won't cut it; a fiery crash mid-race becomes the moment that proves just how serious he is about the sport. His father, seeing his son's courage and determination, finally gives him the support he's been waiting for.

Meet the Road Runners of Derby, a hot-rod club that's earning serious quarter-mile credentials on the drag strip—from Ray's souped-up '54 Ford hitting 100 mph to Paul's freshly built '35 Chevrolet running 12.8 seconds flat. This 1964 feature showcases the club's fastest machines, their engine specs, and their commitment to safe driving, all captured during competition runs at their favorite strips.

Clint Curtis, a stock-car racer, takes on the challenge of proving to a skeptical Plymouth owner that high-performance racing machines are built from regular production cars, not exotic custom engines. When the doubter, Mr. Martin, refuses to believe that stock cars are truly stock, Clint offers to transform Martin's own vehicle using only manufacturer-supplied parts and mechanical know-how—and takes it to the track to prove his point. It's a high-octane lesson in what smart tuning and precision engineering can accomplish with off-the-shelf components.

When a seasoned driver offers his vintage racing car to a young, capable substitute, Clint Curtis gets the chance to pilot an old Indianapolis-type racer at a county fair competition—but only if he can keep his head and drive smart instead of trading paint with a aggressive rival on the track. As eighteen classic racing machines line up for the main event, Clint must balance ambition with restraint to bring home the trophy.

Iris Lowell discovers she's been sold a lemon—a shiny 1959 Olds that needs serious engine work—but the Road Knights club steps in to help her rebuild it affordably, giving her a crash course in mechanics and car culture. When jealous rivals claim her restored ride is all show and no go, Iris gets the chance to prove them wrong on the quarter-mile drag strip, with surprising results.

It's Murder is a tongue-in-cheek public service guide that frames common car-care mistakes as crimes against your vehicle, from running the tank dry to slamming brakes on a pothole. The story walks you through the mechanical consequences of each misstep—clogged fuel lines, broken springs, scalded hands from radiator caps—with the hard truth that neglect will kill your car faster than any accident. A sharp reminder that common sense behind the wheel and in the garage is the real lifesaver.