MARK RASHID’S
ISSUE 5
March 2019
wcm66.com
JOURNEY OF A
’65 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE ’57 CHEVY LOVING THE
SHOWCASING THE AMERICAN CAR CULTURE
$19.99
The Wicked Car Magazine was born to bring to its readers the true Americana Car Culture. We want to showcase the brotherhood it brings with it along with the open highways, corn fields, farms, swap meets, cruise nights, and historic locations. The magazine is not about how much advertising can be cramped into each page but more about showing our readers where we go and what we capture. Along the way in this j o u r n e y, w e m e e t interesting people, visit unique places and try our best to bring you their stories and provide you with informative and practical articles. Editor Mark Rashid
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Hennessey Performance
(HPE) introduces their newest super muscle car: THE EXORCIST TM. Based on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the Hennessey team radically increased the Chevy’s LT4 V8 engine’s power to 1000 bhp @ 6,400 rpm and 966 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. Power is increased via a series of engine modifications, including a larger, higher flowing supercharger & intercooler system producing 14 psi of boost pressure. This system is mated with ported factory cylinder heads, camshaft upgrade, long-tube stainless steel headers, high-flow air induction system and custom engine management calibration. THE EXORCIST TM is available for both 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic equipped ZL1 Camaro’s.
“Equipped with rear drag radial tires, The Exorcist will deliver 0-60 mph times under 3 seconds while running the ¼ mile in less than 10 seconds,” said company founder and president, John Hennessey. “However, THE EXORCIST TM is not just a ¼ mile racer. It’s a wellrounded super muscle car that is just as happy on a road course as it is on the dragstrip and street. Needless to say, this will leave the competition’s heads spinning.”
THE EXORCIST TM is available as a new turnkey vehicle from Hennessey and can also be ordered directly from Chevrolet dealers. ZL1 Camaro owners can also send their vehicles to HPE for the conversion. The base cost for THE EXORCIST upgrade, including the 1000 hp engine upgrade and graphics is $55,000 and includes a limited 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. Automatic equipped vehicles will require an upgraded transmission at the cost of $9,950. The optional drag pack includes a pair of 20 inch wheels with 315/30-20 Nitto drag radial tires, drive shaft upgrade, floor jack and tool kit at the cost of $8,995. The optional road race pack includes a set of 20 inch light weight Hennessey wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires at the cost of $6,995.
THE EXORCIST TM also includes optional delivery at Hennessey’s own ¼ mile dragstrip – Lonestar Motorsports Park – located next to the company’s workshop which is located an hour west of Houston, Texas. Just 100 units of the THE EXORCIST will be produced per model year. THE EXORCIST TM will make its public debut at the Houston Auto Show on Wednesday, April 5.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 - 2019
ZR1 has returned to the throne to push the Corvette legacy to its highest point ever. It’s a supercar that’s at once luxurious and overwhelmingly capable, delivering the icon’s fastest, most powerful, most advanced performance in a production Corvette to date. Drivers, hail the new King. From the commanding stance to the muscular lines to the extensive use of carbon fiber, ZR1 was designed with one purpose in mind: performance. Take, for example, the stunning chevron-patterned carbon-fiber halo hood and engine cover. Meticulously crafted to shed weight and house the potent engine beneath — their shapes are every bit as functional as they are stunning. The most powerful production Corvette ever made, ZR1 wields a new handassembled 6.2L LT5 supercharged small block V8 engine — an engineering marvel deservingly crowned by the bookmatched carbon-fiber cover. A top track speed of 212 mph makes the 2019 ZR1 the fastest production Corvette ever.
Dodge Demon 2018
The last 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, one of the most powerful production cars ever produced, has rolled off the line. The 840-horsepower beast was part of a limited run that ended Wednesday at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The company intended to cap production at 3,300 Demons. The final 2018 Demon, which is heading to an upfit center for a Viper Red paint job and other Demon-appropriate final touches, will be auctioned as a pair with the last 2017 Dodge Viper later this month at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction in Uncasville, Conn. Profits will go to raise funds for United Way, Fiat Chrysler said. Challenger SRT Demon is a limited-edition car that's so oriented toward the track it hasn't come with front passenger or back seats. They're options — priced at $1 each. The car is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi Demon V-8, an even hotter version of the same basic engine that powers Dodge's 707-horsepower Hellcats. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon can rocket from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. It can go from zero to 100 mph in 5.1 seconds. The car is so powerful that it is capable of pulling its front wheels off the ground. The Demon was designed to bring more shoppers into Dodge dealerships, the reason why big production volume was never the object. There, they will see Dodges with the 707-horsepower Hellcat engine. "We'll sell more Hellcats as a result of having a Demon," Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler's passenger cars, said when the car was introduced as part of the 2017 New York Auto Show. "That's just how it works."
’57
Similar to the 1957 Cadillac, the rear fenders got tall but stylish
Chevy
Arguably the world's most popular classic car, the 1957 Chevy was a basically a carryover from the highly successful 1955 and 1956 models. Minor changes included a wide chromed grille, rear tail-fins, and new dashboard. Having both performance and great looks, the 1957 Chevrolets were immensely popular. After hearing that rival Ford would have an all-new full-size
tail-fins. To help keep the clean lines of the car, the fuel-filler door was concealed in the left rear fin. A switch from 14-inch wheels to 15-inch wheels helped give the car a lower stance. Offered on full-size Chevys since 1950, the upscale Bel Air series for 1957 featured gold trim on the front grille, front fender chevrons, and also the hood and
model for 1957, there was concern at Chevrolet. Although GM executives wanted an entirely new car for 1957, production delays necessitated the carry-over of the 1955 design for one more year. Ed Cole, chief designer for Chevrolet at the time, orchestrated the minor face lift, including the new grille, hood rockets, and front bumper bullets. A relocation of air ducts to the headlight pods resulted in the classic chrome headlight bezels. The face-lifted Chevrolet was ready for sale by October 1956.
trunk script. The V-shaped trim on the '57 tail-fins was filled with a ribbed aluminum insert exclusive to the Bel Air. Included in the line-up was a very low production two-door station wagon called the "Nomad". Bel Air two-door sedan - 62,751
Bel Air four-door sedan 254,331
Bel Air Sport sedan - 137,672
Bel Air Sport Coupe - 166,426
Bel Air convertible - 47,562
Townsman four-door wagon 27,375
Bel Air Nomad two-door wagon - 6,103
Available in 150, 210, and Bel Air models, a customer could order any option with any trim level. Exterior choices included optional two-tone paint schemes and tinted glass. Power steering and power brakes were available, as was air conditioning, but offered on V8equipped models only.
Inside, power windows and power seats were optional, as was a signal-seeking radio and power antenna. A rear speaker could be purchased which required a separate volume knob
installed in the dash. Multicolored interiors, padded dash, and tissue dispenser were also available. Mounted to the dashboard, the "Autotronic Eye" sensed the light from oncoming traffic and dimmed headlights automatically.
• 283ci "Ramjet" fuelinjection, 250-hp • 283ci V8 with dual carbs and solid-lifter cam, 270-hp • 283ci "Ramjet" fuelinjection, 283-hp Chevy Ramjet Fuel Injection
Because the roof extended so far into the windshield, some found it hard to see overhead traffic lights from the driver's seat. The traffic-light viewer, a ribbed-plastic visor that sat just a b o v e t h e s p e e d o m e t e r, captured the reflection of overhead traffic lights so that the driver didn't have to lean forward to see past the edge of the windshield.
Engine choices for 1957 started with the 140-horsepower "Blue Flame Six", a long-time staple in Chevy's lineup. The 265ci V8 was offered in two-barrel form only, as a larger, bored-out version joined the line-up. The new 283ci V8 (3.875-inch bore, 3.00-inch stroke) was available with the standard two-barrel, as well as optional four-barrel, dual quads, or new mechanical fuelinjection.
The Rochester-built mechanical fuel injection (also optional on the 1957 Pontiac Bonneville), was available in two power ratings. Most fuelie motors sold were the 250hp, smooth-idle 283s, which powered many four-door Bel Airs loaded with optional luxury equipment. The higher output Ramjet fuel injection, producing 283 h o r s e p o w e r, a l l o w e d t h e division to claim "one horsepower per cubic inch". Although Chrysler had achieved this figure with its 1956 300B, Chevrolet capitalized on it, through racing wins and advertising.
The Ramjet fuel injection system was complex for it's day and not popular with the general public. Most dealers didn't know how to work on them, and often replaced the system with a carburetor. The Ramjet option was dropped on passenger cars after 1959, but still available on the Corvette until 1965.
Transmission Options
At the beginning of the 1957 m o d e l y e a r, m a n u a l transmissions were limited to a three-speed, column shifted unit, with an overdrive
• 250ci "Blue Flame Six", 140horsepower • 265ci "Turbo-Fire" V8 with 2bbl, 162-hp • 283ci V8 with 2bbl, 185 hp • 283ci V8 with 4bbl Carter, 220 hp • 283ci V8 with dual carbs and hydraulic-lifter cam, 245-hp
unit optional. A four-speed manual transmission became available in the Spring of 1957.
T h e " Tu r b o g l i d e " w a s Chevrolet's first offering of a turbine transmission, and was offered as an option for 1957. It was a design concept that Buick had developed with their Dynaflow transmission. H o w e v e r, d u e t o i t s complexity and reliability concerns, most automatic transmissions buyers o rd e re d t h e t w o - s p e e d Powerglide that had been around since 1950.
1957 Chevy Performance
With a two-door 150 weighing 3,159 pounds, the 1957 Chevy was relatively light compared to other fullsized cars, which made it a favorite among drag racers. Equipped with the four-barrel 283 engine, a 1957 Bel Air could do the quarter-mile in 17.5 seconds. With the 270horsepower 283 with twin 380-CFM Carter WCFB carburetors, it was nearly two seconds quicker in the quarter-mile.
1957 Chevy In NASCAR Based off of the 150 two-door sedan, Chevrolet had several cars built specifically for NASCAR competition. After leaving the factory with a 283/283 fuel-injected engine, three-speed manual transmission, 20-gallon gas tank and 3.90 rear axle ratio, t h e y w e re t r a n s p o r t e d t o Souther n Engineering and Development Company (SEDCO) of Atlanta. Additional heavy-duty parts included sixlug wheels and two shocks per tire.
In February 1957, the black and white SEDCO-prepared Chevys made their debut at the Daytona International Speedway. The most famous of these was known as the 'Black Widow' driven by Buck Baker. During the 1957
season, Baker made 40 starts and led all drivers in wins with 10 and poles with six. He went on to take the championship title, becoming the first driver to win back-to-back NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) Championships.
The 1957 Chevy also won 26 NASCAR "convertible races," which was more wins than any other make, also winning all three possible driver's championships. The dominance of the 1957 Chevrolet prompted NASCAR's ban on fuel-injected cars. In April of 1957, NASCAR rewrote the rules to establish a four-barrel carburetor-only rule. The fuel-injection ban lasted until the Generation-Six cars of 2012.
1957 Chevy Legacy
1957 was the third and final year of the high roofline, short wheelbase, "shoebox" Chevys. Total sales were over 1.5 million (1,522,536) units. The relatively simple mechanical attributes of these cars make them easy to maintain, customize, and upgrade with components such as disc brakes and air conditioning. The engine bay is also large enough to fit Chevy's big-block engines.
1957 Chevy Parts Availability It's easier to list what's not available for a '57 Chevy than to list what is! Entire exterior shells, crate motors, and anything you could want or need to rebuild a 1957 Chevy from the frame up. Many aftermarket companies, such as Danchuk and Ecklers, sell reproduction and restoration parts. The 1955-57 Chevrolets remain favorites with collectors and hot-rodders alike, and many classic car enthusiasts believe the '57 Chevy is the best-looking car of the fifties.
COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES •Alignments •Air Conditioning Systems & Components • Batteries • Belts • Brakes • Check Engine Lights • Courtesy Local Shuttle Service • Electrical Shorts • Emission Issues • Engines • Exhausts • Fleet Maintenance • Fuel System • Heating/Cooling Systems • Hoses • Oil Changes • Pre-Purchase Inspections • Rental Cars through Enterprise • Roadside Assistance • Scheduled Maintenance • Steering • Suspensions • Tire Repairs • Timing Belts • Towing • Transmissions • Pre-Trip Inspections • Tune-Ups • Water Pumps • Windshield Wipers and Washers
Address: 22359 S. Center Road, Frankfort, IL 60423 Phone: 1.815.469.6722 Fax: 1.815.469.6774 Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm 24-hour Towing Night drop Available
1957 2 door hard top, frame off restoration about 7 years ago in sunset pearl with pearl white roof, full custom interior with a small block 350 chevy.
1957 Chevy Nomad. 1 of about 7300 made. Frame off restoration 4 years ago with its original color Surf Green. 377 small block Chevy with a 700R4 transmission
1957 Chevy Sport Sedan. 4 door model with out the center post and door frames like a sedan. It has a roof unlike any other body style in the 57 line up it has a 355 small block Chevy engine with a OD trans and a 9 inch rear end.
All original 1957 Chevy convertible parked since 1974 by the previous owner.Now up and running again. It has a 283 power pack engine and auto trans.
1957 Chevy 210 2 door sedan named FLYING HIGH. Built about 13 years ago after a 57 chevy in the 70’s called them street freaks. 468 bb Chevy with a tunnel ram, dual 660 Holley carbs, tilt front end and a front straight axle.
1957 Chevy 210, 4 door sedan named Chev Kon, built on a 99 GMC Yukon chassis and drive train.
Today is the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day! The day matches State Farm’s beautiful red. Yesterday, I was recognized with an honorable mention for the small business association. I was amongst 150 or more people in the room including my colleagues, field manager and family. This honorable mention was due to the South Suburban Small Business Association. As I contemplate this article the one thing that comes to mind is that this is a car magazine and the importance of the proper coverage’s. Now, don’t only take into account your brand new vehicle, your used vehicle, but also your classic vehicle. Here at Jim Fuentes State Farm, we specialize in all types of coverage’s for all types of vehicles from brand spanking new to classic hot rods and antique cars. Here is where you will get the service over and above! We offer exceptional service to stand alongside our outstanding coverage tiers.
Many, believe that the state minimum coverage of 25/50/25 for bodily injury and property damage is enough. Although, in the states eyes, this is true. I would like you to take a second and review your coverage details and see that you are covered properly. If you fall into the range of the state minimum or a tier above, please feel free to reach out to my office over in Tinley Park, IL on beautiful Oak Park Avenue. My office staff is by far the best around and always willing to work to get you covered properly while seeing if we can save you money.
If you happen to be thinking of purchasing a new vehicle, don’t take us here at
Jeff Arseneau with Jim Fuentes
State Farm, out of the running! You just said, “wait… State Farm has vehicle loans?” YES, that is right, we offer vehicle loans at competitive rates. Our rates update every week and we can finance your loan for a term of 12-84 months for vehicles as new as 2020 all the way down to 2012 and older. Those other loans include what many of you may know as “gap” insurance but here at State Farm this is known as Payoff Protector.
Payoff Protector vs. Gap insurance. Payoff protector is included with your loan with State Farm and with other lenders, Gap insurance is an additional cost added onto the vehicle loan.
We also offer loans for boats, recreational vehicles, travel trailers with loan term of 12-240 months for as new as 2020 all the way down to 2012 and older.
Don’t forget about that new motorcycle you are looking to get now that spring is around the corner. Those terms are 12-72 months and for motorcycles as new as 2020 all the way down to 2012 and older.
Still not sure where you may stand with your current insurance or your current loan? Call the office and my staff will explain this in a greater detail.
Jim Fuentes State Farm 17256 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477 708-532-3045
JOURNEY OF A ’65 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE
Story by : Bill Sampognaro
On a summer morning my brother Butch, from Arizona called me and asked me if I would be interested in buying a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere. Butch said his friend was going to sell the car, with a bunch of parts, “ They are asking for $1,000 dollars “. Before he even finished, I told him I will have a truck there tomorrow to pick the car up and ship it to me in Illinois. He said, “ You want to hear all the rest of the parts that come with it ? “ “ Oh yes, 2 motors, a 440 and small block with another K frame, front end parts. Along with some miscellaneous parts. “ So when the car arrived at my shop, I immediately started taking everything apart, pulled the interior out along with all the chrome, motor and trans. I was amazed there was absolutely no rust anywhere on the car. That was the moment I knew what I was going to do with this rust free car. Pulled out the suspension and put it on a rotisserie to start the beginning of its new life, making it a Pro Touring build with today’s technology. To make it Pro Touring means a complete upgrade to the front and rear suspension. So, I researched the best suspension, that was out there for Mopar. Rielly Motor Sports made me a complete front cradle with coilovers and rack and pinion steering. They also made me a custom 4 link fully adjustable rear end section with also adjustable coilover springs. Everything was perfect and came powder coated. To go a step further I built that 440 motor to have 500 hp, then made it fuel injection with the Holly Sniper fuel injection system. Backed it up with a heavy duty 727 3 speed transmission with 2200 stall speed converter. Thanks to Steve at SDR Transmission we made it have a push button auto start. Then added electric power windows and door locks. To stop this beast I went with Wilwood 4 wheel disc brakes, along with an electric assist booster, that produces 2200 pounds of pressure to the calipers. I already knew the exterior color had to be Hemi Orange. Thanks to Scott from Fifth Dimension body and paint, we incorporated Orange into the interior. Orange stitching onto black seats, with orange accents of seat belts. To have more of a custom build I had my friend Jerry make me a dash made from his CC machine, and have it fit around the Dakota gauge cluster along with controls for my Vintage air conditioner / heater. I had Tom beautifully finish my seats, headliner and the center console, and line it with Dynamat. I brought in my son Douglas to design my center section of the console and some other special pieces, like the custom Valve Covers that have the BELVEDERE inscription. Douglas made a template of his design and we turned to Dave & Paul at Orland Machine who with their experience knew how to make this console section into a work of art. Thanks to Steve for his accuracy on custom bending my brake lines, installation of fuel injection, and aligning the front and rear suspensions. Chris with his knowledge and experience in electronics installed a rear back up camera with Apple Car play, touch screen Navigation system, USB, and a killer sound system. I disassembled and fully reassembled the entire car with a painless wiring kit, along with attention to detail to the whole project. I built this from the beginning to take it to the worlds largest auction, Barrett Jackson in Arizona. This is where the best builds wind up for auction for some lucky person to be the highest bidder to enjoy this work of art.
Mark from Midwest Car Exchange has been working with Barrett Jackson on getting my Belvedere on a Friday, one of the best days to sell a car. Mark was able to negotiate my car to go across the block Friday afternoon. My auction was # 977-1, so while my car now is in line moving closer to the stage, I have a possible buyer asking me all kinds of questions about my Belvedere. This gentleman still sticking close to my car and going over my car even more now that we are now going up to the main stage. As the Belvedere is going up the ramp to the main event, he is still attached to the Belvedere. Here we go, the bidding starts. I see 5 bidders going after the win. I see the gentleman that has followed the Belvedere keep raising the bid up and up, now we heard the auctioneer slam the hammer “SOLD” to gentleman standing next to the Belvedere. What a whirl wind. So exciting to be a part of that 2 minutes of bidding. The car sold for more than what I expected. “YES”, I said to myself all excited.The buyer is from Canada, he was like a kid in a candy store. We are both Winners.