The Beach Boys - 409

[Mike]

409 - Songfacts

409

The story of the Chevrolet 409 actually goes back to the mid-Fifties, when Chevrolet was preparing the follow-ups to its landmark 1955-57 series. In those expansive times bigger was always thought to be better, so the 1958 models were conceived to be significantly larger than the fabled '57s, longer by nine full inches and with a beefier X-frame. What this seemed to call for was an even bigger V-8 engine than the small-block that had been introduced in 265-cubic-inch form for 1955. Though the small-block was quickly boosted to 283 cubic inches, Chevy engineers decided to create a 348 cubic-inch big-block engine to reside at the top of the engine range for '58. Since arch-rival Ford was offering a 352-cubic-inch "Interceptor Special" in its top-of-the-line models, this seemed to be a wise course. Unfortunately, the resulting 280-horsepower "Super Turbo-Thrust" V-8, even when fitted with a complicated trio of two-barrel carburetors, was just so-so compared to the top-rated 283s, which weighed more than 100 pounds less. Chevrolet tried to remedy the situation later in the '58 model year with its 315-horsepower "Law Enforcement" version of the engine, but with solid lifters, the lumpy "Duntov" cam and a three-speed manual transmission, not too many civilians stepped up to that package.

Dubbed "Turbo-Fire," the 409, whose production began in January 1961, boasted a single Carter four-barrel carb that supplied enough fuel-air mixture to conjure up 360 horsepower. And that was just the beginning; with a bit of hot-rodding, more than 400 horsepower was easily available.

First the 409 engine itself was vastly improved with a new block casting, cast alloy heads, bigger intake valves and a 11.0:1 compression ratio. When topped with a single Carter carburetor, the '62 409 returned 380 horsepower, and equipped with two four-barrel carbs (the fabled "dual-quad" of song) it offered a reported 409 horsepower. A "Tri-Power" triple two-barrel version was also available, but few wanted to wade into that mechanical nightmare.

She's real fine my 409

She's real fine my 409

My 409

Well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes

(giddy up giddy up 409)

For I knew there would be a time

(giddy up giddy up 409)

When I would buy a brand new 409

(409, 409)

Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 40...

Nothing can catch her

Nothing can touch my 409

409 ooooo

(giddy up giddy up oooo)

(giddy up giddy up oooo)

(giddy up giddy up oooo)

(giddy up giddy up)

When I take her to the track she really shines

(giddy up giddy up 409)

She always turns in the fastest times

(giddy up giddy up 409)

My four speed dual quad posi-traction 409

(409, 409, 409, 409)

Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 409

(giddy up giddy up 409)

Giddy up 40...

Nothing can catch her

Nothing can touch my 409

(409 409 409 409)

Giddy up 409

(409 409 409 409)

Giddy up 409

(409 409 409 409)

*I smell burning rubber whenever I here this song!