Constructor | Hudson Chevrolet Ford Plymouth Oldsmobile Pontiac Studebaker |
---|---|
Successor | Generation 2 |
Technical specifications | |
Engine | 90° pushrod V-8 Inline-six (Hudson Hornet only) 303–440 cu in (5.0–7.2 L) |
Competition history | |
Debut | February 15, 1948 (Daytona Beach Road Course, Florida)[1] |
Last event | October 30, 1966 (1966 American 500) |
The Generation 1 in NASCAR refers to the inaugural generation of post-war cars used between 1948 and 1966. The first generation of stock cars used a strictly-stock body and frame, the doors were strapped with the use of seat belts being required, and a heavy-duty rear axle was mandated to stop the cars from rolling over during a race.[2] These cars were almost identical to their road-going counterparts, albeit with tuning and modifications to the car itself being prohibited. It was also notable for being the only generation of stock cars to use real doors.[3] Examples include the Hudson Hornet, Oldsmobile Rocket 88, Ford Galaxie, Plymouth Belvedere, Pontiac Catalina, and the Chevrolet Impala.
They were eventually replaced by the Generation 2 cars in 1967.[4][5]