If you’re into classic drag racing and classic Mopars, when you see a white Mopar with red sides and a blue roof, you don’t need any writing down the side to put Sox & Martin in your thoughts. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, drag racer Ronnie Sox and racing partner Buddy Martin were well known at dragstrips throughout the country.
Sox won five IHRA championships and dozens of events. He was the winningest Pro Stock driver in the 1970-1972 era with nine wins in 23 events. In 1971 he drove this car in six of the eight final rounds of NHRA Pro Stock, and that means he only lost two rounds the entire racing season.
Sox became partners with Martin when Buddy realized in the early 1960s that he just couldn’t beat Ronnie, so he asked Ronnie to drive his car for him, and they became one of the most well-known teams in drag racing history.
Heading to the Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis on May 17-21 will be one a Sox & Martin 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Pro Stock team car. Wearing the famous red, white, and blue paint scheme, this real deal of a car has a pair of letters of authenticity, one of which is from Ronnie Sox himself prior to his passing. It was also inspected by Buddy Martin to help determine it was their 1971 ‘Cuda.
It’s expected to net between $850,000 and $1.1 million, the restoration of the car was meticulously managed down to every detail, down to the Holley 6214 Dominator carburetors and the Weiand tunnel ram intake. Even the Keystone Classic mag wheels are keeping us glued to nostalgia, a favorite wheel among hot rodders of that generation.
Will it find it’s mark at a million bucks, or will if fall short? Hard to say, but the musclecar and hot rod scene has been bringing some pretty impressive numbers lately, and this Hemi ‘Cuda Pro Stock car would make a great addition to any collection. But let’s be honest… who would love to see this beast run down the track a few more times?