Generation 1 (NASCAR)

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

Hudson Hornet at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina
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)

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

Models

Manufacturer	Chassis	Usage	Image
Chevrolet	Impala	1955 - 1962
Ford	Galaxie	1958 - 1965
	Thunderbird	1959 - 1964
Hudson	Hornet	1950 - 1954
Oldsmobile	Rocket 88	1949 - 1953
Plymouth	Belvedere	1959
Pontiac	Catalina	1950 - 1958
Studebaker	Starlight	1949 - 1952