I restored a 69 Camaro a couple years ago, and after finishing it, I realized that while it was like new, it was LIKE NEW. Older muscle cars just do not drive or handle well. They are nice to look at, but are not drivers.  Then a friend of mine built a car to go on the Power Tour on and I got to thinking, why not build a muscle car that drove like a modern car. How original right.  lol  Well after doing some research on the web, I discovered Protouring and I was hooked. I found a suitable donor car and started making plans.

I have always liked the idea of very wide rear tires, but never liked the prostreet look, so now that protouring accepted wide tires up front too, I was set. I contacted Frank @ Prodigy Customs and had his shop do the frame mods, body and paint work. Of course, I relied on him for other input too.  He helped me with suspension ideas, brake issues and also recommended Kris Horton for a rendering from Cars By Kris. Engine choice was a real challenge for me, but I took the plunge and went with a 6.0 liter LSx. I had never done this before but really liked the idea of great performance and gas mileage too. Of course, good is never good enough so I had to add a few goodies, especially a power adder.  Magnacharger and Street and Performance really helped out with this part of the build. After the plug and play experience I have had with this car and engine setup, I will never own another carburetored hot rod. 

Of course, the really pressure with this build was to get the car, in driving condition to the 2005 SEMA Show. 47 days straight, Gary Neff worked on it car to get it ready. We finally hit the start button 24 hours before we had to put the car in the trailer for the 2000 mile trip west. The tranny was programmed to shift with the help of Steve Chryssos of Twist Machine 4 hours before it was strapped down for the trip. Yes, it was down to the wire, and several things were not quite finished but it was close enough to be presentable at the show and get alot of attention. 

The day after SEMA, Johnny Hunkins did a photo shoot of the car for an upcoming feature article in PHR.  After getting the car home, we finished up the little things and got ready for Turkey Rod Run in Daytona. We put about 350 miles on it while in Daytona and really enjoyed the completed car. Of course a car is never finished, but it is close and I look forward to driving it a lot this coming year. I hope to go full circle and actually take this car on the 2006 Power Tour. I hope you enjoy the pictures and thanks to Scott for putting it on his website.

Engine: 6.0 LSx with intercooled Magnacharger
Pulleys, brackets computer programing and wiring harness by Street and Performance

Tranny: 4L80e with a Twist Machine paddle shifter:  "The Shrifter"

Rearend: Ford 9" with 370:1 ratio

Suspension: Global West upper and lower control arms, spindles up front Global West adjustable rear control arms

Brakes: Wilwood front and rear.

Wheels: Forgeline 19x9 front   20x12 rear

Tires: Pirelli P-zero 255x35x19 front  355x25x20 rear

Body: 3 1/2 minitubbed with custom frame design by Prodigy Customs. Then two tone paint applied as per Kris Horton renderings.

Interior: 01 Aroura Seats, front and rear, stitched like the original 65 pattern.
Custom carbon fiber inlays in dash, on console and doors by Wabbits
Custom Gauges by classic instruments
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