My 1968 Chevelle SS 396 blew a pressure plate on Christmas eve about 1974. I had the motor wound up , with 4.56 gears, i power shifted to 2nd gear about 6k RPM when the plate let lose, only a stock aluminum bell hosuing.
The plate cut the brake lines and partially the frame too
broke the distributor( killed the engine thankfully - no brakes), parts blew through the hood
Cut open the trans tunnel at the firewall like a tin can, broke the throttle pedal linkage , missed my foot by an inch or two
Since there was no bell housing , the engine rear dropped down, the muncie tail end went up into the tunnel and the drive shaft yoke rubbed a hole in the tunnel as the car ground to a stop.
ahh, the fun of being young and to live through it