There were actually three Pacers on the Power Tour in 2009. Ours, a somewhat beat-up 77 station wagon, and a built 76 coupe with a Mopar 440 under the hood. We had actually met the 440 guys two years ago when we did our first Power Tour, and this year they came back with a fully rebuilt car. From day one we knew that there was going to have to be a Pacer on Pacer showdown, and on the final day at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, TN it went down.
My dad had run a few passes in the Pacer before hand and after red lighting the first pass and spinning the tires half way down the track on the second, we knew we were in for a challenge.
As an “enthusiast” it’s become apparent that among other enthusiasts, a front engine rear wheel drive layout is optimal if you consider yourself a driver. It seems as though everyone sights balance with potential for oversteer (too much Tokyo Drift) as their reasoning for preference towards a rear wheel drive layout. While I tend to agree, I’m not going to be as simple and rule out the good ‘ol front wheel drive. Sure it gives a frontward weight bias and yes it limits the amount of power you can put to the ground (curse you torque steer!), but the fact is with a well tuned chassis and suspension, appropriate engine power, and nice precise steering, a front driver can be as much fun as any rear tire burner.
