I consider my car a purpose built 'street' trans am tribute car with full interior. Its all function, no glitz, no glamour, no stereo, no expensive paint to worry about. Built to be driven hard and put in the garage wet. But in reality, I should probably limit my fun to the track. I live just miles from Angeles Crest and up there often just enjoying the drive and fresh tarmac!
I don't have any recent shots of it except from a UFC shoot with heavyweight fighter Josh Barnett (super cool Mopar/Mustang gearhead by the way!) He stood against the pole in the center while I did donuts around him in 2nd and eventually 3rd. A couple times I saw my life flash before my eyes and it wasnt car related, it was Josh's eyeballs. Scary man to do donuts around and his agent had just left
so after a short ride he trusted me! Pretty fun day! I have yet to get the real photos these are candids from my phone.
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Drivetrain:
ZZ502 Big Block Engine
Holley 850cfm double pumper
MSD 6AL ignition
Tremec TKO 600
Mcleod RST Clutch
Custom Headers
BeCool Aluminum Radiator w/ Electric Fans
12 Bolt Rearend with 3:73 gearing
Suspension:
Stock subframe with relocated Upper Control Arm Mounts
SPC Adjustable Upper Control Arms
Tall upper Ball Joints
QA1 Coilovers Front
Hotckiss Front Sway bar
Hotchkis Subframe Connectors
Hotchkis Rear Leafs
QA1 Adjustable Rear Shocks
Wilwood 6R 12" Crossdrilled/slotted Front disc Brakes
Willwood Dynapro 11" Crossdrilled/slotted Rear disc Brakes
Stainless Braided Brake lines
Wilwood Master and Adjustable Bias Knob
Interior:
Recaro Speed S Seats in Black Leather with black suede.
Schroth 5 point harnesses with custom Cross bar belt mount at rear package tray.
Exterior:
Stickers to cover paint damage
Paint damage from rubber
Jake's Rod Shop aluminum rear spoiler
Jake's Rod Shop aluminum front splitter
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I've had it at 179mph GPS verified with the TKO600 and 3:37s. OEM front spoiler snapped and the front sheetmetal bent back from the forces. I felt the lift in the front immediately as well. Was a scary moment. Props to GM for doing their research on the spoilers way back in the end of 69! That said I run a Jake's Rod Shop aluminum adjustable spoiler in the rear and have been waiting for Jake to send an aluminum front one with struts to reinforce the front.
I've pondered painting it, but then it'd ruin everything I love about the car. Even the patina and track road rash. Considering the way I do drive though, I really should focus on safety and put a full cage, fuel cell and fire suppression system in it. All my track instructors and friends say I should and I fully agree Reason I haven't? Health. I don't drive the car as much as I used to. But on good days she gets a beating, as she was built for it
I also feel for some reason that a cage devalues a car and personalizes it a lot, pushing away future buyers. I could be totally wrong on that though. Theres some bitchin' trans am trubute z28s out there with no interiors and full cages etc that would pull a pretty penny I'd hope. I just know that history has shown that pro-street cars dont go for much any more and many have been transformed into pro-touring cars. Perhaps a cage was a bonus for the buyers? Who knows.
My garage is filled though, and one car will always stay, so that makes the z28 the wildcard. I'd have to get rid of it to build the 65 riviera and a 70s 911 RS replica etc.. Too many ideas, Automotive Attention Deficit disorder? I personally cannot paint either of my classics for fear I wont enjoy them as much. Hell I just redid my interior on the other car and I'm afraid to sit in it!
