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CONTENTS STEERING:
Steering Components Buyers Guide ...pg 30
AVANTI:
1964 Studebaker Avanti R3 ...pg 20
ALSO INSIDE:
Starting Lines-------------------------------- 4 Cooling Systems Buyers Guide----14 Firebird-based Tojan --------------------24 1937 Ford Phantom Coupe ----------34 Parts Store------------------------------------40 Readers Rides-------------------------------46
Modern Muscle
Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1 pays homage to the late ‘60s muscle cars that inspired it ...pg 8
ENGINEERED TO WIN. Using the exact same technology as our legendary race springs, the Eibach PRO-KIT, SPORTLINE and ANTI-ROLL-KIT are engineered to deliver maximum control at the limit, industry leading ride quality and aggressive looks. Call today to experience the Eibach Difference. Consumer Inquiries 800-227-2242
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FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE
STARTING LINES World of Wheels Putting on Two Great Shows in 2019
World of Wheels will be putting on two great shows in the coming months, with stops in Calgary and Winnipeg. Beginning in Calgary, the 53rd Annual Auto Value World of Wheels goes February 22-24 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park with celebrity appearances by WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal, TV Personality from My Classic Car Dennis Gage and the Catherine Bach who played Daisy Duke on TV’s Dukes of Hazzard, plus hundreds of Western Canada’s finest Hot Rods, Customs, Trucks and Motorcycles. In April, Piston Ring’s 45th Annual World of Wheels takes place in Winnipeg on the 12th-14th at the RBC Convention Centre. In addition to hundreds of hot rods, classics and muscle cars, the Hanson Brothers from the movie Slap Shot and Dave Kindig from Kindig It Designs will be making appearances. For more information on both shows, visit www.autorama.com
EG Auctions Collector Car Auctions in 2019 EG Auctions is Canada’s Largest Collector Car Auction Company is set put on five Collector Car Auctions this summer including a new event in Indio, California in November. The first event follows a successful first running back in November of the California Cars, Stars and Rock ‘N’ Roll event in Indio,
63rd Annual Portland Roadster Show O’Reilly Auto Parts and the Multnomah Hot Rod Council present the 63rd Annual Portland Roadster Show at the Portland Expo Center on March 15-17, featuring over 400 of the best Hot Rods, Classics, Customs and Motorcycles. The proceeds from each year’s event goes to support high school and Community College Automotive programs, fund automotive-based scholarships, and charities such as the Angles on Wheels Toy Run for Randall Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Cancer Association. For more information please visit www.portlandroadstershow.com MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
California with a second event on February 8-10. The next event is held in Red Deer, Alberta on March 22-24 at Westerner Park with the following event happening just a short drive north at the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on April 5-7. The second last event also takes place in Alberta, this time in Calgary at the Grey Eagle Casino June 21-23 with the Fall Finale event going back to Red Deer at the same venue September 6-8. www.egauctions.com, call 1-888-296-0528 or email consign@ egauctions.com for more information.
Volume 17, Issue No. 1 February / March 2019 Second Class Mailing Agreement #40050183 Publisher: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Distribution Manager: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Advertising Sales: Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers / Photographers: Jordan Allan Gerry Frechette John Gunnell Cam Hutchins Paul Kennedy
Muscle Car Plus Magazine is published six times per year by RPM Media Inc. 2460 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada V3C 1T4 TELEPHONE: (604) 629-9669 FAX: (778) 285-2449 TOLL FREE: 1-888-500-4591 EMAIL: info@rpmcanada.ca WEBSITE: www.rpmcanada.ca
Pick up your copy at your local Performance Shop or at the following participating locations:
55th Annual Portland Swap Meet The Portland Antique Auto Swap Meet runs April 5-7 in what will be the 55th year for what has become the largest antique auto event on the West Coast. The swap meet features 3,500 vendor stalls and approximately 35,000 shoppers and features everything automotive you can think of. The event takes place at the Metro Exposition Center on North Marine Drive in Portland, Oregon with a large portion of the meet indoors in the four large buildings on site. The remainder of the meet takes place on four large paved parking lots. For more information please go to www.portlandswapmeet.com
Draggins Rod and Custom Car Show in Saskatoon Non-stop excitement is guaranteed at the Draggins Car Show April 19 and 20, 2019. Standing head and shoulders above the over 200 outstanding hot rods, customs and special interest vehicles at the World Trade Centre, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, will be this absolutely incredible custom 1957 Chevy 150 owned by Greg and Judy Hrehovscik and co-owner Johnny Martin of Johnny’s Auto Tr i m & R o d Shop, Alamosa, Colorado. The Chevy has a 515 Donovan twin turbo big block making 1,084 horsepower on pump gasoline. The car has been chopped, sectioned, channeled, and all the chrome pieces have been hand crafted. The bumpers, which come from a ’56 Chevy, have been turned upside down and fitted to the body. The car also features a beautifully smoothed engine compartment with an interior that defies any words to describe it adequately. And if you think this car is just a looker, the Ridler Award rules require that the vehicle must be operable as a road vehicle. In what will likely be its only visit to Canada, this is a must see for any automotive enthusiast. For more information please visit www.draggins.com
MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
1 9 7 0 OX FO R D CO N N E CTO R , P O RT CO Q U I T LA M , B C
SIN
CE 1974
Modern Day Muscle
The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 truly proves what’s old is new again
Story by Gerry Frechette, photos Courtesy of GM Canada
“W hat’s old is new again.” Nowhere is that saying more appropriate in an automotive context than in the modern-day muscle car wars, where many of the models and even colours of the iconic cars of exactly 50 years ago are being used to market today’s high-tech supercars. Chevrolet plays the game as well as anybody, being well-known for just taking the order code number and making it the actual model name. Z28, Z06, ZR1......and, of course, ZL1, the model name of today’s top dog Camaro. Like all the others, ZL1 has its beginnings in those halcyon days half-a-century ago that those of a certain age remember fondly. In the late 1960s, there was a road-racing series called Can-Am. It was essentially unlimited in terms of engine specs and nearly everything else, and by 1968, big-block V8s were becoming more common.
The fuel-injected Chevrolet 427 was the engine of choice, but of course, to run out front, the teams wanted more power and less car weight. Chevrolet developed the all-aluminum big-block ZL-1 (with a hyphen) for 1969, and it powered Team McLaren to victory in every race that year. Of course, the concept of an all-aluminum 427 didn’t escape the notice of drag racers, and one enterprising Chevy dealer (Fred Gibb in Illinois) used the famous COPO dealer ordering system that generated many 427-powered Chevies in the day, to order a bunch of Camaros equipped with the ZL-1 engine that saved 100 pounds over an iron 427. With that much less weight on the front of the car, it would allow the Super Stock drag racers to reach the required class minimum weight with 100 pounds more on the rear of the car, with the expected benefits for traction. It also generated horsepower thought to be in the 525-550 range, even though it was officially rated at 430. Since NHRA required that a minimum of 50 examples of any car intended for Super Stock be built for sale, that is how this race engine was adapted for street use, and that is how many Gibb ordered, perhaps in an effort to corner the market. As it turned out, the ZL-1 engine added an amount - $4,200 – that was more than the Camaro itself cost, for a total of over $7,000 in 1969 dollars, so sales were slow. But NHRA approved the car for racing, and the legend was born. In the end, 69 Camaro ZL-1s were built in 1969, with around 20 of them being raced as Super Stocks.
1969 COPO Camaro with the 427 ZL-1 V8 engine.
10 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
In subsequent years, the ZL-1 moniker was applied by Chevy to a few styling exercises and crate engines, but it wasn’t until 2012, with the escalation of the horsepower wars between GM, Ford, Chrysler and the foreign brands, that the ZL1 (without hyphen) model name was once again applied to a Camaro, in this case
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the fifth-generation model. It established the blueprint from which all subsequent ZL1s would be built, with supercharged LSA pushrod V8, Brembo brakes, Magnetic Ride suspension...lots of gear that it shared with the Corvette. So, here we are in 2019, 50 years after the first ZL-1, and “what’s old is new again.” The Camaro is now in its sixth generation, introduced for the 2016 model year, and Chevrolet didn’t wait as long this time to launch the ZL1 model for 2017, given the intense pressure brought by its competitors. Chevy’s 6.2-litre supercharged V8, originally and still found in the Corvette Z06 and known as the LT4, is currently the ZL1’s engine, and the key number here is 650, as in both horsepower and pounds-feet of torque.
There are two transmissions available – a six-speed manual for those who just have to shift for themselves all the time, and a new ten-speed automatic, which is a full ‘traditional’ torque converter design, not a newfangled twin-clutch manumatic, which seem to have shown themselves to be a little less durable. With this kind of power, a strong transmission is a wise choice. We do somewhat question the need for ten ratios in a car with such prodigious torque. Family sedans and SUVs need multiple ratios to keep the revs in the engine’s most efficient powerband, but this engine has so much torque from idle to redline, and efficiency is such a small concern, that an old three- or four-speed autobox would probably perform nearly as well. In any case, the ten-speed proved a smooth performer in our test unit, with crisp shifts up or down via the paddle shifters. It’s claimed by GM to shift quicker than the Porsche PDK, which is very quick in its own right. It is the chassis performance of the ZL1 that is its advantage in the muscle car wars, especially versus the Dodge Challenger. It all begins with the Magnetic Ride suspension, which one might call GM’s ‘ace in the hole’ when it comes to the handling of its performance models. It reacts to vehicle and road conditions in milliseconds to deliver the optimal suspension setting. If a car could be said to “corner on rails,” and still provide a decent ride, this would be it. The rest of the hardware is equally impressive. The differential is electronic limited-slip. The brakes are Brembos, with six pistons clamping on mammoth 15.35-inch discs up front. And the tires are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar, 285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 rear, mounted on forged aluminum wheels. This stuff is state-of-the-art in high-performance parts.
12 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
cars that ran in the Player’s/GM series 30 years ago? They were 1LE cars too. The ZL1 1LE gets lots more downforce from its carbon fibre rear wing and full front splitter package, and boasts a tunable suspension featuring Multimatic DSSV damper technology of the type that Formula 1 cars use. Tires are 305/30R19 front and 325/30R19 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R, nearly racing slicks, that contribute to maximum lateral grip of 1.10g. We have not had the chance to drive a 1LE, but have seen them driven on track by veteran race car drivers, and they emerged
Inside, the ZL1 is equipped to a level befitting the top-of-the-line status of it. The front seats are suede-and-leather Recaros; on the other hand, the rear seats are vestigal at best, suitable to throw some hand luggage on. The full gamut of modern technology is accounted for here. Wi-Fi hotspot with 4G LTE. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration..Bose audio system. You get the picture. The picture you won’t get quite as easily is a view of the outside world. Like all coupes, the rear-3/4 view is seriously compromised by the wide C-pillar. But the Camaro goes one step beyond that, as the high beltline and low roof result in gun-slit side and rear windows, and the feeling that with big smiles. It has been said that the 1LE is really a step too far for you are sitting in an automotive bunker. I suppose that such matters are a daily driver, and that the regular ZL1 is plenty entertaining for most enthusiasts, even on a track. mundane in a car with so many other talents. We drove the ZL1 on some winding country roads, as perfect an environment as one could hope for, short of a race track. Given its weight, (around 4,000 lbs), it is extraordinarily nimble, while still possessing the capabilities of an automotive sledgehammer. Acceleration (0-96 km/h in 3.5 seconds), deceleration (96-0 km/h braking in 107 feet (35 metres)) and lateral grip (1.02 g) are impressive by any measure.
So, the Camaro ZL1 is a very capable car. And it has more than enough power for street use. Doesn’t it? Maybe not to the GM marketing folks, who see the Dodge Challenger Hellcat with up to 798 hp, and the recently announced Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with around 700. The “mine is more powerful than yours” horsepower war is still raging, and having a mere 650 might be considered a handicap in this battle. Will Chevy drop the Corvette ZR1’s 755-horsepower LT5 V8 into the Camaro?
And yet....there are those for whom this is not enough performance. Those who have access to a track and plan to use their ZL1 on it, have We say that 650 hp is obviously plenty, and that the ZL1 is just fine as the 1LE package to consider. That code in itself is yet another historic it is. It is the fastest, best handling, highest tech, and most expensive one in Chevy lore; remember the factory-built Camaro and Firebird race Camaro ever. That should be enough for any Camaro fan.
FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 13
PRODUCTS: COOLING SYSTEMS
BUYERS’ GUIDE Be Cool Classic 400 HP Module
Description: Be Cool’s Classic 400 HP Module includes a performance-grade, dual 1-in. core, natural-finish radiator, a 16-in. high torque fan, the fan mounting brackets, and naturalfinish coolant recovery tank and billet radiator cap. The system is designed to keep your engine running at the ideal temperature in up to 400-horsepower applications. Specifications: Comes with a complete hardware kit with everything necessary for installation. Applications: Ideal for vehicles with up to 400 horsepower. Website: www.becool.com
Edelbrock Water Pump for Small-Block Ford Description: Edelbrock’s Water Pump for small-block Ford vehicles utilizes state-of-the-art racing technology in order to provide maximum flow, maximum pressure and equal distribution to both sides of the block within one percent. The high-performance pumps flow in only one direction, which optimizes efficiency. Specifications: The casting’s computer-designed internal passages and precision-powdered metal impeller produce the maximum air flow rate possible. Applications: Available for late 1960s Ford small block vehicles. Website: www.edelbrock.com
Flex-A-Lite Extruded Core Radiator and Dual Electric Fan for GM A-Body Description: Flex-A-Lite’s direct-fit radiator and dual electric fan for 1968-1972 Chevelles and other GM A-Body vehicles with an LS engine swap requires no drilling or cutting for installation and allows the radiator to mount using the factory location and equipment. It comes with a fully-shrouded dual-fan system that moves 4,600 cfm of airflow, and a Variable Speed Controller. In addition to many other benefits, the increased contact area between the coolant and aluminum tubes provides better heat rejection and cooling. Specifications: Extruded Core Technology replaces multi-core radiators and provides significantly better cooling with a stronger, more durable and lighter design. Applications: Available for the 1968-1972 Chevelle and other GM A-Body vehicles with LS engine swaps. Website: www.flex-a-lite.com
Frostbite Aluminum 4-Row Radiator Description: Frostbite’s Aluminum 4-Row Radiator for GM, Ford, Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep applications feature 100-percent TIG-welded seams and a billet aluminum filler neck with an OEM-style brass petcock. It features more cooling fins per inch than most of its competition for more efficient cooling. It is able to support applications with 550-1000 horsepower and boasts a polished top and tank or a custom show appearance. Specifications: Features an aircraft-quality aluminum core, fittings and tanks which provides up to a 30-percent weight savings. Applications: Available for GM, Ford, Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep applications. Website: www.holley.com
GC Cooling Fluidyne C10 Radiator and Fan Package Description: GC Cooling’s three-row, drop-in radiator and fan package for the 1967-1987 Chevrolet C10 pickup has been designed to their specs by Fluidyne and is meant to replace the old factory radiator. The efficiency and capacity see an increase of 35 percent with the package, which also comes complete with a radiator cap, custom aluminum laser-cut shroud, transmission cooler and twin GC Cooling HP 14-in. fans that crank out 3,522 cfm. Specifications: Designed for applications up to 850 horsepower. Applications: Made for 1967-1987 Chevrolet C10 pickups. Website: www.gccooling.com 14 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
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Maradyne Ultra-Slim Champion Series Fans Description: Maradyne’s new Ultra Slim Champion Series 14- and 16-in. puller fans for the performance street and hot rod markets are only 2.05-in. thick and utilize 130 watt heavy duty IP68 rated motors which flow over 1,170 and 1,300 CFM respectively. The thin nature of the fans allow them to fit into tight spaces which is ideal for applications with powertrain setups that are bigger than the stock setups and therefore take up more room under the hood. Specifications: Fans are 2.05-in. thick and utilize 130 watt heavy-duty IP68 rated motors. Applications: Ideal for street and hot rod applications. Website: www.maradynehp.com
Maradyne MJS22K - Jetstreme II Platinum Description: Dual 12-in. shrouded fan system for all 27-to-29-in.-wide radiator cores. Utilizing the largest 225-watt motors which should be able to cool most big block engines, the Jetstreme is also available with 160w or 130w motors for small block engines, too. Specifications: Size: 26x15x3.39-in. for Platinum model. Applications: Most models of GM A-body and others 1968 - early ‘90s. Any radiator 2729-in. wide and at least 15-in. tall. Website: www.maradyneHP.com
Meziere Sportsman-Style Radiator with Fan and Shroud Description: Meziere’s Sportsman-style 16x25-in. radiator with fan and shroud offer a furnace-brazed core and is 100 percent pressure-checked at the factory. It features a double pass design with the upper and lower hose connections being on the passenger side, while the radiator cap provision is on the driver side. Specifications: 16-in. high by 25-in. wide with an overall thickness of 6-in. Applications: Internal threaded AN#20 connections accept any of Meziere’s WN-style fittings. Wide variety of connection fittings available. Website: www.meziere.com
Mr. Gasket High-Performance Thermostat Description: Mr. Gasket’s High-Performance, high-flow thermostat for GM, Ford and AMC applications opens at 180-degrees and has been made to resist large variations of coolant pressure at high RPM. It will always fully open at the correct temperature consistently regardless of your engine’s RPM. Specifications: Features copper-and-brass construction which resists corrosion. Applications: For high-performance street, drag race and oval track applications. Website: www.holley.com
Performance World Lightweight Aluminum Radiator Description: Performance World’s lightweight aluminum crossflow radiator for Ford and Mopar applications is made from genuine Alcoa aluminum with a dual 1-in. core, is TIG welded and furnace brazed, and boasts a billet filler neck and drain petcock on the driver’s side. Specifications: 22.25-in. x 18.625-in. overall measurement. 1.50-in. upper inlet, 1.75-in. lower outlet. Applications: Made to fit Ford or Mopar applications that can fit listed dimensions. Website: www.performance-world.com
16 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
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Proform Slim-Fit Radiator System Description: Proform’s Slim-Fit Radiator system for 1967-69 Camaros is a unified system that is under 4.5-in. thick and includes the radiator, fan, thermostat and shroud. Some radiator and fan combos can take up to 8-in. of valuable space under the hood, which can often cause clearance issues which would be solved with the use of this much thinner system. Specifications: Features a natural aluminum finish and a billet aluminum filler neck with a high-capacity overflow tube. Applications: Available for 1967-69 Chevrolet Camaros with the manual transmission. Website: www.proformparts.com Tuff Stuff Platinum SuperCool Water Pump Description: Tuff Stuff’s Platinum SuperCool water pump utilizes an impeller that increases water flow and helps to drop coolant temperature by 20-degrees, while the lightweight aluminum casting also provides better heat dissipation. The pump is completely hand-made using quality new components, and features a driver’s side inlet. Specifications: 4.312-in. hub height. Requires custom pulleys and provides up to 1.5-in. of additional water pump clearance. Applications: Available for many Ford V8 applications. Visit website for complete listings. Website: www.tuffstuffperformance.com
Weiand Action +Plus Water Pump Description: Weiand’s Action +Plus water pump is a lightweight, performance aluminum mechanical water pump that provides 30-50 percent weight savings over stock cast-iron pumps. The pumps utilize the exclusive “twisted snout” look, and feature a premium-quality bearing and seal that have twice the load capacity of stock pumps. Specifications: Manufactured from lightweight aluminum with a heavy-duty shaft with a 5/8-in. pilot. Applications: All pumps are designed with the necessary bracket bosses and water connections to fit popular street applications. Website: www.holley.com
18 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Truly Astounding
John Bainbridges’ 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3 Story and photos by Cam Hutchins
were in Los Angeles to pick up the in-laws, and he saw in the LA Times a classified ad for an Avanti R3 for $3,400 in Santa Monica. After looking The Avanti R3 in this article is truly an astounding piece of auto- at the car, his offer of $3,200 was rejected by owner Ray Kush. motive history. Built by the Studebaker Engineering department, this car was a 1962 Model R Engineering Prototype. From the Once home in Canada, Bainbridge decided he really wanted the car. Studebaker “Passenger Car Production Order - Final Assem- He phoned the President of the local Avanti Club, Mac McClure, and bly Line” form, this car’s final assembly date was April 26 1962. asked him to take a look and try to buy the car on his behalf. The car’s green paint was all cracked, and the car was finally sold for $3,200. It is documented to be the fourth Avanti built, and was serial number EX-2947 (63R X9). Its journey to Canada is a long and complicated tale, Bainbridge sent his two friends down in his 1969 Ford Torino with a as interesting as the car itself. In 1973, John Bainbridge and his wife Cobra Jet 428 to bring the car home. The long race home to Canada was too much for the Avanti’s supercharger and it limped home after too many long sections at speed. This was pre-55 mph days. But the car was not welcomed into Canada, as it was not 15 years old. Bainbridge craftily stored the car with various members of the Studebaker Club until he was able to bring her home. Being a mechanic, Bainbridge got to work rebuilding the supercharger, but was limited to driving the car on weekends until 1979, when he finally was able to drive the car home. At that time, there were only about six Avantis in the Lower Mainland of B.C. The car had aftermarket wheels built by the Hollywood Rim and Wheel Company in L.A. The “Apache” wheels were also shown in the ‘60s on Camaro and Mustang show cars. The car was painted metallic green, but needed to be stripped and painted, so the Christmas vacation of 1974 was spent painting the car. 20 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Paxton continued to produce these engines for a few years from the 304 cu. in. castings that Studebaker had provided them, with the bigger supercharger and newlydesigned heads and manifold and all the other go-fast parts for R3 status. They sold to car owners that needed more power, and some boat owners. Bainbridge also tracked down Ken Curry, who had bought off Vince Granatelli who was working at Paxton’s shop in Santa Monica in 1965 (but unfortunately no confirmation whether that was Vince Sr. or Andy Granatelli’s son Vince. Vince Jr. has been contacted and does not remember making the deal on this car).
The unrestored car has had the front bushings changed, a rebuild of the steering box hydraulics, and the brakes done. The interior is original except for newer carpets. Showing just 35,427 miles on her as of August 2018, the car has stood up remarkably well, although it is waiting for a new paint job with the colour yet to be nailed down…possibly its original red colour with something extra added. Bainbridge was always curious to know more about his Prototype’s history. Around eight years ago, Bainbridge spoke to a fellow from Washington State who had been a Studebaker dealer. He said that Paxton had sent more than a dozen specially-built R3 supercharged engines to Studebaker and around four had not been installed in the Avantis when production was halted. With Studebaker no longer building cars in the States, they called Paxton and told them to come get the remainder of the engines and this car.
Curry, who was in his early 20s at the time, was the first registered owner of the car in California. The car had freshly been painted green and looked fantastic. He soon got an angle on some experimental “hopped up” Mopar that was being sent back East from California and he had to sell the Avanti to buy it. Ray Kush, also of Santa Monica, was the next owner and loved it until six months later, when the engine failed. He went back to Curry, and the both of them went to Paxton, and Vince (Sr. maybe, but not Junior) told them he had one of the blocks that had been to the Salt Flats and he could rebuild it for them. Curry and Kush split the new engine’s cost…one paying for parts and one paying for labour. Curry went back to Avantis after the Mopar, and owned four in total. The new engine was a 289 cu. in. that had been bored to 299, and during a recent inspection of the engine while rebuilding, Bainbridge
FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 21
noticed the oil pan was bent outward….this oil pan had been on an engine that had had a rod go “sideways” sometime in its life (possibly at the hands of Kush, as Vince Jr. assured me no Avanti engine blew in all the high-speed runs his Dad ran at Bonneville). The engine has run beautifully, and the odometer only has around 36,000 miles, but the winter seemed like a good time to clean up the engine bay and freshen the engine. The Avanti had originally been designed to be the saviour of Studebaker. Never called a “Sports Car” by Studebaker, its performance was left up to the Granatellis for improvement. Studebaker had recently bought Paxton Superchargers, and its President, Andy Granatelli, famed Indy 500 team owner, knew a thing or two about making cars go fast. He also reworked the front suspension to improve handling. Knowing “speed sells,” Andy Granatelli took a red four-speed R3 to the Bonneville Salt Flats and established 29 world stock car speed records, attaining a maximum speed of 178.5 mph. Further adding to the allure of speed, the Avanti was the first American car to offer disc brakes and built-in roll bar as standard equipment. The Avanti ended up with two supercharged versions, an R2 and an R3, both initially built using the time-tested Studebaker 289 cu. in. V8. One was tested by Road & Track magazine in 1963 with a zero-to-60 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.5 seconds. Astounding for that era.….but it could have been a souped-up wringer that was given to the journalists doing the tests. The supercharged versions could reach 168 mph and a highly modified version reached 196 mph. This R3 and the other three first cars were originally produced as serial no. EX-2947 (63R X9). The four prototypes were renumbered when Studebaker shut down Avanti production, and probably needed to sell these cars to fulfil dealer orders. Possibly this is when the square headlight enclosure trim was added to make it look newer, or possibly it was added by one of the previous owners. The Canadian Factory in Hamilton continued to build other Studebaker models until March 1966. A letter dated January 9, 1975, from John Shanahan, President of the Avanti Owners Association International, states that this car was listed as a Green R3powered car. The letter goes on to state that it was one of four prototype Avantis built by the Engineering department as “EX” models and later assigned serial 22 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
new car that would take Studebaker back to the top. Basing the new car on the stronger Lark Convertible chassis with X-brace, Loewy had his work cut out for him. With a small team of talented auto designers, Loewy set up shop in a rented bungalow in Palm Springs near his winter home. Setting strict guidelines of no wives or girlfriends welcome, the team worked 16-hour days, and had a car design ready in 40 days. It was instantly a big hit with the brass at Studebaker and the public, and Loewy insisted his name for the car, Avanti, (Italian for “forward”) was used. The actual production of the fibreglass bodies was tasked to the original producer of the Corvette body, Molded Fiberglass Co. The overwhelming problems with the production of the bodies forced Studebaker into the fibreglass numbers beyond the production series. The production serial numbers body business as they had to set up their own production of them. ended at R 5646; the four prototypes were assigned production serial numbers in 1964 as 1963 cars. This car, being the fourth, got the new Possibly the rush to production is the cause of the inferior bodies that “1963” production serial number 63R-5650. caused massive delays of cars being ready to sell. The Studebaker team had amped up promotion and the public was ready to buy, but Many of us Car Nuts are familiar with the early Starlight and the the long waits were another strike against the beleaguered company, later Hawk Coupes, and all the various versions of them over their and sales sagged on all their models. Studebaker shut down U.S. auto decade-long run. They regularly show up at drag races and Bonn- production in December of 1963, but the Avanti II was soon available eville Speedweek with vast mechanical changes, but with their with a Chevrolet engine from a pair of former Studebaker Dealers. graceful bodies often looking stock. The Studebaker Avanti had a much shorter production run, as Studebaker went out of the auto- The unusual design of the Avanti lived on with versions built up into the motive production business, and some say it was the Avanti’s fault. ‘80s. The car had a few unique design features. The “razor edge” front fenders, rearward sloping wheel wells and the slim “Coke Bottle” waist Knowing almost nothing about a car manufacturer that went out of busi- that was also used on the 1968 Corvette make the Avanti timeless. The ness in the early ‘60s is nothing to be ashamed about, but Studebaker asymmetrical hood bulge allowed for clearance of the brake booster, was certainly a big player back in the day before the rise of imported cars. and the shape continued through the windshield to form the dash gauge cluster with aviation-inspired switches. The gauges include a tachometer, manifold pressure gauge and a clock, and were lit with red lights at night like an airplane. The headlight switches were above the windshield, a la aircraft. The body-hugging bumpers were sleek and lightweight and had rubber pads at the most prominent edges. The opening allowing air to cool the radiator was under the bumper and was very unconventional for frontengined cars at the time. The rear taillights wrapped around to the sides of the car, and this was not adopted by the other manufacturers until 1968. The interior was luxurious and the rear seats were also shaped as bucket seats, with a good amount of leg room. Incredibly, the “padded dash” was uncommon in 1963! The long hood and short rear deck was to be the “Go To” design for almost all the pony cars of the ‘60s.
The saving grace for Studebaker after a few close calls at bankruptcy was supposed to be the Avanti, but it ended up being their Swan Song. The entry into the automobile market at the turn of the century was not welcomed by all of the Studebaker brothers that made up the company, but they built their 1,000,000th automobile by 1926. They used racing to promote their vehicles and set a record for climbing Pikes Peak in 1929. Their company slogan became “The Builder of Champions.” Studebaker had a pretty good run and had celebrated its one hundredyear anniversary in 1952. As a prominent buggy and carriage producer, they had built their 1,000,000th carriage by 1879. The Starlight and wildly successful Lark were designed by French/American industrial designer Raymond Loewy. The new Studebaker President, Sherwood Egbert, entrusted Loewy to work his magic and create an all-
The sales literature of the day show the 1963 Studebaker Avanti R3 sold for $5,980 compared to the 1961 Jaguar E-Type that sold for $5,670.
The basic R3 package: Engine: 304.5 V8 (bored out 289 cu.in.) with Paxton Supercharger Horsepower: 400 hp @ 6,000 rpm Compression Ratio: 9.75:1 Base weight: 3,195 lbs Body: Reinforced fibreglass Transmission: Borg-Warner “Power-Shift” Differential: “Twin Traction” with 3.73 axle ratio Options: Alternator, “Climatizer” heater-defrost unit (AC not available with supercharged), tachometer, push-button radio, clock, Schwitzer viscous fan and Firestone 500 tires. FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 23
FirebirdBased Tojan A li’l muscle and a lotta rare
Story and photos by John Gunnell
W
“ e build love-hate relationships,” Russell Knudsen once told the author in a telephone interview. “People either really love what we do or they really hate what we do.” Knudsen is a businessman who had success developing a product that treated Parkinson’s disease, but he was also a muscle car buff. Knudsen’s dream started in 1978, when he formed Knudsen Automotive Design in Omaha, Neb. His aim was to build cars representing his idea of speed combined with beauty. He started in an era that spurned “neo-classic” cars like the Excalibur, the Corsair, the Alden, the Bradford and the Zimmer Golden Spirit—low, long, ornate cars with modern interpretations of Great Gatsby styling. The kind of cars that Liberace drove. In fact, Liberace even added a garish candelabra hood ornament to dress up his Zimmer! A line of four neo-classics marketed by Baroque Motorcars were Russell’s first cars. He started with the Coupe, followed by the Cabriolet, the Royale
Tojans cost between $21,995 and $26,995 depending on options.
Sedan and the Royale Limousine. “Baroque Motorcars offers the only fullsized grand touring motorcars with classic styling in the world today,” read the 1982 Greater New York Auto Show Official Program. “Each Baroque is hand-crafted utilizing the finest materials to surround the motorist with the ultimate in luxury.” The Baroque combined a dependable GM G-body chassis and drivetrain (Olds Cutlass or Buick Regal) with Knudsen’s idea of “classic style design elegance.” Ads described the Baroque as the “finest in luxury, comfort and style” and promoted it as “an investment in the future.” Potamkin Cadillac in New York City was one of the high-end car dealers who sold the Baroque. Harry Bradley, a well-known designer and paraplegic who is famous for his car and toy designs, first rendered the Baroque. Bradley taught at the Art Center School in Pasadena, Calif. He was Knudsen’s go-to car designer. The Baroque was one of dozens of neo-classic cars of the era, but Knudsen was among the smaller manufacturers in the niche compared to East and West Coast giants. “Back in the ‘70s, a lot of people said ‘You guys will never survive,’” noted Knudsen, who went on to produce other exotic sports cars and power yachts. Knudsen’s son ran the company, which built the RAGE Mustang, RAGE Corvette C650 and RAGE PowerYacht R5100. “We’ve always found that we can survive if we change our products to suit the times,” Russell pointed out about 10 years ago. Between 1985 and 1991, with the blessing of GM, Knudsen’s firm produced a total of about 136 Tojan highperformance sports cars. “The Tojan concept came about precisely because the market was changing,” Knudsen explained. “At that time, we were leaving the neo-classic line because such cars had gone out of vogue. The future appeared to be in the high-performance sports car niche and we designed the Tojan in a way we thought would look appealing to sports car buyers.”
24 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Most Tojans used the stock GM 305-cid TPI V8.
and send them back to us. I would circle what I liked and didn’t and I would add notes to mail back to Harry again. Working this way, in three to four months, we’d have a car made up and then start directly in with the tooling.” The tooling company that Knudsen used was in Ohio. He emphasized that the Tojan went from drawing board to final assembly rather quickly. Bradley would fly into Ohio on a Friday and stay working there until Monday. “We picked the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the Tuned Port Injected engine,” said Knudsen. “The overall concept was to have something unique and different.”
The Pontiac Firebird-based Tojan accounted for sales of 123 coupes and 13 convertibles over seven model years. In 1988, the Carralo—a Camaro version of the Tojan—was added to the line because Knudsen discovered that Chevrolet dealers selling Tojans in some states ran into hassles when they titled Pontiacs. “The Tojan was an interesting car,” Russ Knudsen recalled. “It was our second vehicle. We brought the Tojan out in 1985 and it was always a case of one guy doing it all. I built the cars, did the marketing and handled sales. Russell even played a role in the Tojan design, although Harry Bradley finished it. We got all the way up to 27 people in the factory. We were building up to 20 cars a month.” Knudsen recalled that he helped Bradley by supplying him with design concepts that he dreamed up back in Omaha. “This was before the days of FedEx, Fax or the Internet,” he stressed. “I couldn’t draw, but my wife could, so I would cut out pictures and she would make sketches of them for me and we’d mail them to Harry. He would do professional pencil line sketches
The first Tojan prototype or pilot model blended together thoughts that both Knudsen and Bradley had. They retained the pop-up headlights. Most Tojans used the stock Pontiac/GM 5.0-litre TPI V8, but a couple had custom-built engines. “We met Gale Banks and had him do a 206mph Twin Turbo car for us,” Knudsen noted. “The Chicago Auto Show was the biggest new car show back then and we showed the turbo car in Chicago first; then two of them in New York City.” Since they were marketed as luxury sports cars, surviving Tojans always have a long list of stock and custom aftermarket goodies. The factory-installed equipment found on many cars includes the 5.0-litre V8, a 700R4 automatic transmission, the WS6 suspension package, air conditioning, an AM/FM cassette radio with equalizer, power steering, power-operated outside rearview mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, four-wheel power disc brakes, power windows and door locks, intermittent windshield wipers, fog lamps and a power rear hatch release. Custom items may include Compomotive 16-inch “TS” three-piece aluminum rims, 245/50ZR16 tires, burled wood-grain dashboard trim, leather trim, a digital dashboard (used on very few Tojans according to Russell Knudsen), Recaro seats, Gotti wheels and a Cambria Cloth Top. A network of dealerships in California, Texas, New Jersey and Florida sold the customized Tojan Firebirds. Price tags for these custom-built cars
Tojan name appearing on rear was adapted from high school sports team. 26 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
ranged from $36,000 to upwards of $62,000, depending on which options a buyer selected. Tojans made appearances on TV in “Miami Vice” and in “Alien Nation,” and in the motion picture “Collision Course,” starring car enthusiast comedian Jay Leno. On one occasion, a slightly tipsy customer came up to the Knudsen Automotive stand and said he wanted to buy a Baroque for his girlfriend. Russell supplied him with literature and order forms and they agreed to do a telephone follow up after Russell got home. The man didn’t call at the appointed time and Russell thought he never would—until his banker told him that $60,000 had been wired to his account. Then the banker called again to say another $180,000 had been wired in. The man wanted three more cars—one for his wife, one for his chauffeur and one for someone else.
the Carralo Camaro. After the cars appeared on TV, we shipped Tojans to Hawaii, Japan, Kuwait, Germany and Thailand.” “The cars are still out there today and changing hands in the collectors’ market,” Knudsen said. “We would get calls and inquiries on a pretty regular basis and they seemed to rise and fall on a 5-6-year cycle, probably whenever a car changed hands.” Collectors sometimes associate the name Knudsen Automotive with Pontiac’s famous general manager “Bunkie” Knudsen, who built the brand’s
Custom 1980s-style luxury interiors were another part of the package.
“Customers saw our cars at a show, placed an order, shipped us their stock vehicle, sent a cheque and got a custom car back,” Knudsen explained. “When we took the Tojan to the New York Auto Show, we got a booth between Lamborghini and Ferrari.” Sales of the cars at the Greater New York Auto Show were sporadic, but exhibiting at such events was important because it got local car dealers to sign up as distributors. Potamkin Cadillac of New York City and Whalen Pontiac in New Jersey became places where people could order Tojans. Russ also attracted distributors in Long Island, N.Y., Providence, R.I. and Boston, Mass. “In 1986, we put a big wing on the rear of the Tojan and made it look like a cross between a Pantera and a Lambo,” said Russell. “That same year we added a ragtop that featured a convertible top conversion by Heinz Prechter of American Sunroof Corp. We ran the first convertible through the design and tooling process quickly and about a week later, it went to a young lady in Hawaii.”
high-performance image in the ‘50s. “We aren’t related, but we both spell our name the same way and we both pronounce it as ‘ka-noot-sen’ in the old country way,” Russell explained.
We asked Knudsen about the published production total of 136 cars, because we had seen various sources stating that 130, 140 or 150 cars had been built. “I’m going to say it was 130 some cars—maybe 140,” he answered. “Red, white and black were the most popular colours. About 80 percent of production was red. We did silver and burgundy Tojans, too, and possibly metallic blue, although that colour may have been used only on
RAGE Exotic Vehicles of Omaha was a continuation of Knudsen’s past accomplishments and added his son, Andrew Knudsen, to the team. The RAGE vehicle concepts and designs were the work of Andrew, who focused on high fashion and high performance at reasonable prices. Don Johnson of D. A Johnson Designs, followed Harry Bradley into Knudsen Automotive’s design projects.
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PRODUCTS: STEERING COMPONENTS
BUYERS’ GUIDE Billet Specialties Power Steering Reservoir
Description: Billet Specialties power steering reservoirs are offered in a choice of smoothed or ribbed styles and feature a double O-ring sealed breathable cap that relieves positive and negative pressure while keeping your engine compartment clean. The reservoir offers extra capacity of up to 15 oz. of fluid in a compact design. Specifications: Manufactured from 100-percent billet aluminum. Applications: Universal product. Website: www.billetspecialties.com
Classic Performance Products Classic Fit Steering Column Description: Classic Performance Products’ classic fit steering column is a five-way adjusting column that is made from 2-in. stainless steel tube for automatic column and all floor shift applications, and is available in plain, chrome and black finish. Additionally, the columns come with a 1-in. DD output shaft. Specifications: Column shift not for stock Powerglide applications. Applications: Columns accept any 1967-94 GM steering wheel or aftermarket adapter. Website: www.classicperform.com
Flaming River 28-in. Floor Shift Key Steering Column Description: Flaming River’s Floor Shift Key Steering Column offers an integrated ignition key into the column located at the 3 o’clock position. Modeled after the popular muscle car tilt key columns, the column still integrates well into street rods. The column comes with a GM-coded key assembly, wiring and ignition switch. Specifications: Comes in a paintable milled finish to match any interior theme. Applications: Available for GM vehicles. Website: www.flamingriver.com
Grant Classic Nostalgia Steering Wheel Description: Grant’s Classic Nostalgia Steering Wheel features a design that was inspired by some of the most popular classic designs from the 1960s and 1970s. It features a beefy classic styling that offers Grant’s standard three-bolt pattern and also the original Mopar Tuff Wheel bolt pattern. Specifications: 15-in. diameter. Applications: For vehicles that can accept Grant’s three bolt pattern and Mopar’s Tuff Wheel bolt pattern. Website: www.grantproducts.com
Ididit Pro-Lite Steering Column Description: Ididit’s Pro-Lite innovative lightweight steering column weighs just under 6-lb., which is roughly half the weight of a standard column. It includes self-canceling turn signals, 4-way flashers and wiring for horns. The column collapses a full 5-in. for enhanced driver safety and installs easily using your original dash mount and Ididit’s plug-in wiring connectors. Specifications: Features a 3-7/8-in. wiring plug and comes with a standard matte black finish. Applications: Designed to work with most quick-release steering wheel hubs. Website: www.ididitinc.com 30 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Ididit Sidestep Description: Ididit’s Sidestep relocates the position of the shaft so awkward angles and tight spacing around the steering shaft on both sides of the firewall no longer has to be a nuisance. The extra space created can be repurposed under the hood for added horsepower, or in the cab for more leg room. Specifications: The Sidestep measures 3-inches wide and 2-inches deep (not including splines), with 3/4-36 spline output shafts and the choice between 8-, 10-, 12, or 16-inch lengths, and is available in raw machined or polished finishes. Also features a double roller chain and withstands 10X OEM failure load for safety, based on IDIDIT’s in-house engineering testing. Applications: Visit website for application listings. Website: www.ididitinc.com
Original Parts Group GTO Steering Box Description: Original Parts Group (OPGI)’s quick-ratio power steering box is a direct bolt-on product that has a quick ratio of 2.75, taking only three full turns lock-to-lock. The steering box comes with a new rag joint coupler with bolt and pitman arm to the gearbox nut and washer. Specifications: Remanufactured from the original GM product. Applications: Made for the 1964-73 Pontiac GTO. Website: www.opgi.com
Performance World Type II Chrome Power Steering Pump Description: Performance World’s chrome Type II power steering pump produces 1,000 psi for steering box systems and features an 8AN inlet and 6AN outlet. The pump requires a press-fit 5/8-in. pulley and will give your classic or muscle car a modern feel. Specifications: Features a chrome finish. Applications: For power steering systems that require a press-fit 5/8-in. pulley. Website: www.performance-world.com
Scott Drake Rack-and-Pinion Kit for Mustang Description: Scott Drake’s Rack-and-Pinion Kit for classic Mustang provides a power steering-like feel without the hassle of having to do a power steering system swap. The kit features easy installation that maintains the original suspension and requires no welding or fabrication. Specifications: Some headers may require modification. Applications: Available for the 1964-1970 Ford Mustang and 1967-1970 Mercury Cougar. Website: www.drakeautomotivegroup.com
Sparco L575 Steering Wheel Description: Sparco’s L575 Steering Wheel has been designed to improve grip and comfort for driving precision. It offers either a leather or suede cover material that is able to integrate into many different applications with a red leather centering stripe. Specifications: Diameter is 350mm and dish (depth front to back) is 63mm. Applications: Can be mounted on a wide variety of applications. Website: www.sparcousa.com
Unisteer 1955-56 Tri-5 Electra-Steer Column Kit for Auto Transmission Description: Unisteer’s Electra-Steer drop-in steering column kit combines their great 360w Electra-Steer motor with Ididit’s retrofit column for a drop in power steering solution for your 1955-56 Chevy. The kit comes with everything necessary including motor, column, pedal assembly and a power steering motor that will tuck up and away under the dash. Specifications: Overall length of 31-in. and uses a 1-in. DD lower column shaft. Applications: Features a GM-style wheel thread. Website: www.unisteer.com 32 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Attention to Detail Bill Sitar’s 1937 Ford Phantom Coupe
Story and photos by Paul Kennedy
In 1996, Bill brought it home, and in 1999, when he moved to Kingston, the restoration began. The frame had some ill Sitar had always wanted a ‘37 Ford, but he just wanted cheese tendencies, so Bill patched and boxed all of it, inone as a two-door hardtop. The original 2-door sedan cluding cross members. He also moved the X-member back spent 30 years in the bush north of Cornwall, Ontario. Let’s about six inches, and shallowed the X so there was more transmission room. He built a Mustang II-style front end, just say, rust was an issue. including the A-arms, then installed leaf springs to hold the detailed Ford 9-inch rear end with its 3.50 posi. The frame was blasted, then Bill painted it with epoxy primer, followed by a dark silver finish.
B
In 2001, Bill took time off from the Ford to help his son Mike restore his own 1967 Chevelle two-door hardtop. The 396 325 HP was rebuilt, as was the 700R4. They did everything in Bill’s garage, adding fresh red paint and an all-new black interior. By 2006, it was done and Bill got back onto the Ford. All the suspension pieces were epoxied and painted a lighter shade of silver, for contrast to the frame. The bodywork was a huge job, and took most of the following six years. The original 34 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
roof had to be replaced and chopped slightly at the same time. Then the floors were replaced and the C-pillar was leaned forward to meet the lowered roof. The lack of a B-pillar meant that the door jamb had to be made wider. The firewall was modified for engine clearance, and Bill matched the beading on the remaining firewall pieces. He says it took six bottles of welding gas to do the roof reveal on the sides. He also mini-tubbed the back wheelwells to allow for his wider wheels and tires. The American racing wheels sized 6x17 up front, and 8x18 out back, are shod in Continental DW rubber. The engine, a 1986 TPI from a Camaro, was totally rebuilt by Bill, and the entire injection system with those runners was polished so well that it looks almost as shiny as the chrome headers! The
36 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
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2 Âź-inch exhaust system is all mandrel-bent polished stainless, with Magnaflows to mellow the exhaust note, a bit. The 700 R4 was rebuilt with better Raybestos clutches, then smoothed and painted. Bill used the wiring harness from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;86 Camaro, and heavily modified it to suit his needs.
the cut-down 2005 Camry seats, all in a light and dark grey pattern.
Finally, the outside was painted a beautiful Deepwater blue in base clear, and in 2013, out rolled the masterpiece you see here. Pictures cannot do it justice. The attention to detail and In the interior, Bill modified the original steel dash and built the the level of craftsmanship is staggering. This car is finished centre console. He then stitched all of the upholstery, full-length to Ridler standards, there are no flaws. All done in a two-car head liner, door and back seat side panels, and re-covered garage, by the owner.
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PARTS STORE Good Vibrations Motorsports Blower Timing Degree Ring Adapter Good Vibrations Motorsports has recently announced the release of its new Blower Timing Degree Ring Adapter, which will allow one to use a 6-Scallop timing ring with a conventional blower crank hub. They are machined from billet aluminum, requiring no modification, and do not affect the balance of your engine. The adapters are designed for hubs that have a front register of more than .565 wide, and are offered with or without .240 male centre register. For more information please go to www.goodvibesracing.com
K&N AirCharger Air Intake System for Ford Mustang GT K&N’s AirCharger air intake system for the Ford Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 engine option replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing which allows your engine to inhale a larger amount of air than the factory assembly. More air allows for more usable power and acceleration throughout the RPM range. The system comes with a chrome-topped K&N high-flow air filter and a heat shield that installs into the original air box space. The tube accommodates the factory mass air sensor, idle bypass hose, EVAP vent hose and crankcase vent hose. For more information please go to www.knfilters.ca
Holley Announces Brawler’s Newest Line of Street and Race Carburetors Holley has recently introduced Brawler’s newest line of street and race carburetors, which are now available in black with a red billet colour combination. Completely hand assembled, the carburetors come with the latest technology in air/fuel calibrations for street or race engine demands, and are made from lightweight aluminum components available in both vacuum and mechanical-secondary configurations, providing a lot of the same tunability you’d find in more expensive options. The carburetors are offered as a 650 CFM Street, 750 CFM Street, 750 CFM Race and 850 CFM race options. For more information please go to www.holley.com 40 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 41
TECH: NEW PRODUCTS
Procar Now Offering Office Race and Office Sport Chairs Procar has a great reputation of being one of the most comfortable, durable and quality seats you can buy for your vehicle, but now you can enjoy the same experience behind your desk at home or the office with the new Office Race and Office Sport chairs. Both models are inspired by some of Procarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular seat lines and feature adjustable arm rests and an aluminum base for maximum strength. A hydraulic adjustment lever is used to find the proper seating height, while the Tig-welded steel tube frame increases strength. The seats feature injection-molded foam and suspension straps for both support and comfort. For more information please go to www.procarbyscat.com
42 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Performance Throttle Bodies for Ford Mustang GT from BBK BBK announced at the SEMA Show two new Performance throttle bodies for the 2018-2019 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 which provide increased airflow for additional horsepower and torque, and improved throttle response. The throttle bodies are available in 85mm and 90mm, both of which improve airflow for added performance without having to sacrifice velocity and low-end torque. The throttle bodies are made from durable CNC-machined aluminum housing, offer a direct bolt-on easy installation and are recommended for naturally-aspirated street applications. For more information please go to www.bbkperformance.com
Advertiser Index
Great Canadian Oil Change--------------------------------------24 All Parts Trailer Sales ------------------------------------------- 41 B&W Insurance ------------------------------------------------- 17 Barry-Hamel ----------------------------------------------------- 39 BC Custom Car Show ------------------------------------------ 37 Bowtie Auto Parts - --------------------------------------------- 38 C/S Automotive Appraisals ------------------------------------ 45 CAM Oils --------------------------------------------------------- 41 CAVAC Swap Meet ---------------------------------------------- 45 Draggins --------------------------------------------------------- 29 Easy Build ------------------------------------------------------- 44 EG Auctions ----------------------------------------------------- 27 Eibach --------------------------------------------------------------3 Formula Distributors ------------------------------------------- 19 G&M Trailers ---------------------------------------------------- 41 Golden Leaf Automotive --------------------------------------- 11 Good Vibrations ------------------------------------------------- 25 Gumout ---------------------------------------------------------- 40 Ididit -------------------------------------------------------------- 42 Jellybean AutoCrafters ----------------------------------------- 41 KMS Tools ------------------------------------------------------- 43 Langley U-Blast ------------------------------------------------- 41 LMC Truck ------------------------------------------------------- 48 Lordco Auto Parts ------------------------------------------------7 Macke Auctions ------------------------------------------------- 35 Maradyne -------------------------------------------------------- 18 Mecum -------------------------------------------------------------5 Michener Allen -------------------------------------------------- 45 Mopac Auto Supply - ------------------------------------------- 47 Portland Roadster Show --------------------------------------- 33 Portland Swap Meet -------------------------------------------- 15 Procar --------------------------------------------------------------2 Red Line Oil ----------------------------------------------------- 28 Scott’s Super Trucks ------------------------------------------- 41 Westar Trailers -------------------------------------------------- 41 World of Wheels ------------------------------------------------ 31
Edelbrock AVS2 Series 650 CFM Carburetor Edelbrock’s AVS2 Series 650-cfm carburetor has been designed and calibrated for optimum street performance in small-block and some big-block engines. The AVS2 features annular flow primary boosters with a new calibration for improved off-idle and cruising performance. The annular flow booster design delivers improved fuel atomization to eliminate flat spots that may be encountered when the carburetor transitions from idle to full throttle. The AVS2 includes both timed and full vacuum ports for ignition advance, and allows you to match with a variety of manifolds including the Edelbrock Performer. For more information please go to www.edelbrock.com
Pre-Engineered Building Kits No Welding • Maintenance Free
Residential • Commercial
E
asy Build Structures pre-engineered 2” x 3” galvanized steel framing system uses a unique “slip-fit” design that simplifies the installation process with the added strength and durability to withstand our Canadian winters. Whether you are looking for roof-coverage only to protect your investment or fully-enclosed garage and warehouse packages, Easy Build Structures has the building for you.
55-13325 115th Avenue, Surrey 604.589.4280 | Toll Free: 888.589.4280
www.easybuildstructures.ca
Our sales team will work with you to customize your structure package to meet all your requirements. Easy Build packages come complete with everything you need, ranging from overhead and man doors, windows, insulation options, sheeting and flashing colours, and hardware.
CALL NOW FOR A CUSTOM QUOTE:
44 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
Our structure widths range from 10’ through 50’, with the length being as long as you need. Our engineer can provide you with stamped and sealed drawings, Schedule B and C-B, and site inspections to help assist you with DO-IT-YOURSELF any permitting processed required Take advantage of our by your municipality. full installation services These services also include throughout British Columbia, our CSA-A660 certification including complimentary on-site for pre-engineered steel consultations in the Lower Mainland structures in Canada. to fully design your custom structure. Furthermore, all our building packages are designed as do-it-yourself kits with a step-by-step installation manual.
604.589.4280
FEB/MAR 2019 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 45
READERS RIDES 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
In high school, Silvia Lopez dreamed of owning a 1967 Mustang or Camaro and, as luck would have it, 25 years later that dream became a reality. Years before the ‘67, Silvia sold her red, rotisserie-restored, numbers-matching 1968 Camaro RS 4-speed V8 in order to help her husband, Ewald, fund his new hot rod fabrication shop which went on to become a success. Years later, after living in the same neighbourhood for roughly 18 years, Silvia noticed a blue ’67 Camaro Convertible in a neighbour’s garage and instantly said to Ewald “you need to buy me that car.” Given that she had sold her red ’68 in order to help him years prior, Ewald’s hands were tied so the couple discussed a price point and decided that they would make an offer should the opportunity present itself. Eventually the opportunity did present itself and Ewald bought Silvia the car and immediately brought it in to his shop for some work. Now, 8 years later, the car has an additional 130,000 km on it, most of which coming from road trips to Pebble Beach for the Concours d’Elegance or the Canadian Hotrod Tour. The car features a 350 ci V8 under the hood with a factory 4-speed tranny and a 3.73 posi rear end. The front and rear sway bars along with the 17-in. front and 18-in. rear wheels allow it to hug the corners during some back road driving, and the car has also been known to produce a great burnout or two!
WANT TO SEE YOUR VEHICLE IN THE MAGAZINE? Send in a few hi-res photos of your classic car or truck with a short description of around 60-80 words and we may include you in the Reader’s Rides section at the back of Muscle Car Plus.
If interested, please email us at ReadersRides@rpmcanada.ca 46 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2019
An Emerald WARNE N.’S 1974 Ford F100 Ranger
in the Rough. When Warne stumbled across this original 1974 F100 Ranger, he couldn’t believe his luck. Having never owned a Ford before, he quickly fell in love with this green beauty — and who could blame him? Trucks like Warne’s weave their way into our lives and become a part of who we are. It’s our job to make sure they stay that way. Read Warne’s story and share your own at LMCTruckLife.com Get your FREE CATALOG at LMCTruck.com
Chevy/GMC 1947-13 Ford 1948-16 Dodge 1972-15
LMCTruck.com 800.562.8782
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