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.

Generation 1
ConstructorUnited States Hudson
United States Chevrolet
United States Ford
United States Plymouth
United States Oldsmobile
United States Pontiac
United States Studebaker
SuccessorGeneration 2
Technical specifications
Engine90° pushrod V-8
Inline-six (Hudson Hornet only) 303–440 cu in (5.0–7.2 L)
Competition history
DebutFebruary 15, 1948
(Daytona Beach Road Course, Florida)[1]
Last eventOctober 30, 1966
(1966 American 500)

They were eventually replaced by the Generation 2 cars in 1967.[4][5]

Models

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Chrysler Corporation

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a Hudson Hornet, outfitted for racing, circa early 1950s
 
1959 Plymouth Belvedere NASCAR

Ford Motor Company

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Dan Gurney's 1963 Ford Galaxie

General Motors

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Rex White's 1959 Chevrolet Impala
 
Wendell Scott's 1962 Chevrolet Impala
 
Buck Baker's 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 stock car
 
David Pearson's Pontiac Catalina
 
A Studebaker driven by Dick Linder in the 1951 Daytona Beach Road Course

References

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  1. ^ "NASCAR History".
  2. ^ "The evolution of NASCAR Cup Series cars".
  3. ^ "NASCAR's Wild Ride from Generation 1 Through 7". 6 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Hinton: Generational shift". 16 January 2013.
  5. ^ "NASCAR Cars Through the Generations | NASCAR Hall of Fame | Curators' Corner".