John Callies (yes he is related to the crankshaft company) is one of those guys you just don’t come across very often. Influencing motorsports and racing from behind the curtain in various roles for over 40 years he has a lifetime of fascinating stories and wisdom to share. We went to his shop after the Comp Cams factory with Lake Speed Jr! Aside from Pontiac John stepped up the game of every NASCAR team in the late 80s with the new cylinder head he had produced by Brodix. Almost every GM cup team was using them even if they weren’t Pontiacs! You can see those heads in the video with Ernie Irvans 1991 Daytona 500 winning heads video with Larry McClure!
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In case you were wondering…Yes John is a founder of the Callies Crankshaft company we all know today. The dude has done a bit of everything!
I had to savior this video and made ample time without any distractions. I knew when I saw pontiac motorsports as the heading of this video i was going to be in for a real treat. I'm a huge Pontiac enthusiast and one who have owned a couple of Trans Ams in the past… (Hell I'm working on a '92 bonneville as we speak…sorry not a ssei.) I so needed to watch/ hear this! All those parts, so little time to tell the story of each and everyone of them and I want to hear them all! But of course I understand the time crunch on making videos.
The plastic piston ring and that piston design, just genious! This is what happens when you let an engineering gearhead of this magnitude go do his thing and create gold for them (GM) But it also aggravates me to hear how these factory representatives just shrugs their shoulders of the amount of time, money, and energy that these engineers spent into development of these parts and tools to say Nay on production! Seriously what the hell! I want those parts in my street car! I want those tools available to create powerful yet high efficient engines at my disposal!
You really can't explain and persuade those who just don't "get" it. (Ahem corporate)
Again, Stapleton you keep outdoing yourself and thanks again! This is a must share and it will be on a couple of pages I'm on and to my pontiac freinds as well. Simply awesome!
I liked that he explained it you could get away with things back then you can’t do it any more that’s just the way it is today,
This is the best channel on YouTube. Yet another interesting banger.
“It’s core shift…” thinking on your feet at its best. Only those who know how casting patterns are made would understand and the inspector at the time didn’t want to let on he was clueless…lol
Dude I have never been in to Nascar, but these videos are awesome and I watch all of them till the end. So much history, so much to learn.
Really cool to know that he help'd work on the BART system out here in the Bay Area.
Last 2 min question: Its history, When hes gone its gone And that outlaw era knowledge is gone. Example not many people can run manuel mills and lathes anymore Why I dont know where, im at I dont know how to set it properly People rely to much on tech that there brain/hands
your welcome !
Wow that's crazy way ahead of his time
Hey we just seen u at the Dale Sr. Memorial "where's the Cadillac at" cool seeing ya in public man
Love the interviews. Being in my 50's and watched racing back then, really brings back the memories of the stuff they talk about that went on back then.
Love all this vintage NASCAR stuff. I also love Pontiac’s!
I thought the Rousch Yates Cam gear backlash test was pretty cool and Callies Cranks…I never knew. Very interesting vid
Fucking legend.
Amazing guy! I love Pontiac and have a Callies crank in an LS. I could listen to him forever.
The amount of knowledge that these 'old timers' have in their heads is fascinating. The history and development of what we have (and don't have) today keeps me coming back.
I love these stories! Engineering is fascinating to me. I work with guys who can barely tie their shoes, so I appreciate these vids. Thank you !
Love the video’s learn so much
I never knew he was part of callies
Stayed for the whole video awesome info, my dad is the one who got me into NASCAR wish I could get him into watching your channel cause he would eat it up like a kid in a candy shop
Saw him run the 1940 Che-Pon at 2015 ECTA in Wilmington! Simply amazing to see a IMSA class show car run 175mph.
Yet another fascinating video/interview……..a true gem!!! Love this stuff. Thanks guys & special thanks to Mr. John Callies for teaching us so much about what they did, and the amazing stories!
Love the longer videos and the stories. Thx for the great content!
grreat video. 70 year old hot rodder. John CAllies is worth listening to. Glad you interviewed him. I plan tobuy a set of his street hydraulic lifters from Bullett. Another guy I would LOVE to see you guys interview is Ed Iskenderian. enjoyed it. keep em coming.
Thanks for the content, good job !
Absolutely LOVE these videos! And love the raw nature of them. It is true REALITY and not this contrived made up B.S. ! Very welll done. Love all of your stuff! And the shirt I got of course!
Wow! John Callies! What a great interview! No fluff needed… you're right! Plastic rings blew my mind. There used to be a company that built plastic engines- Polimotor (here in NJ) was their name- no idea what happened to them…
Y’all are hitting the stroke for the gear heads of the world.
What a brilliant man and very informative video. I remember when all this stuff was going on but had to many irons in the fire and it didn't pay that close of attention to it. That's why I love your videos. Now I'm retired and have the time to sit down and get caught up and take it all in. You guys keep doing what you're doing and piss on these instant gratification jacklegs that want photos and other stuff they crave because of their miniscule attention spans. Keep up the good work!
The coolest thing I think he said was when he was called to the NASCAR trailer and gave the excuse "core slip". I bet it came out so smoothly that the NASCAR guys were left speechless.
Screw the shorts. I came aboard right around the time when you were touring and getting parts for the Newell.
The complete story was awesome. More history that was always there finally shared. Thanks.
keep it up. good stuff man,
My question is when I watch you ru the Escalade. You talk about attaching the chains. I am building a Silverado z71. Can you explain the chains?
So glad you are able to get all of these guys from the golden age of motorsports to tell their stories.
I was flabbergasted when you did the Richard Petty video, I would have been wide-eyed and speechless the entire interview. NASCAR royalty right there.
That composite piston ring was pretty awesome
Watched to the enjoy your shows
I love getting all this history from
Great before they are gone
Drag Boss has some great shows
With the earlier racers too