Big Block 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu 454

While I was wandering around at Barrett-Jackson 2013, I happened upon this matte black beauty of a car. This 1969 Chevelle Malibu 454 is the ultimate street/strip machine: a fusion of metal and testosterone so manly that hair sprouted from my knuckles as I walked past.

Everything about this car awakens the senses, from the smooth black exterior to the deep rumble of the big-block V8 that you can feel in the soles of your shoes. This is a car that makes stock Corvettes and Mustangs slink back into the shadows. It makes junkyard dogs cower with fear and street thugs look the other way when they see it roll through their ‘hood. It rides on a set of Weld racing wheels and massive rear tires that don’t just grip the pavement, they pin it down and make it say ‘Uncle!’ This is one Chevelle you really don’t want to mess with.

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1961 LS3 Pro-Touring Corvette Convertible

One of the cars that caught my eye at Barrett-Jackson 2013 was this gleaming red 1961 Corvette Convertible. Like a bald eagle or a baseball game, the sight of a first-generation Corvette is one of those symbols that should fill any red-blooded American with a sense of pride. It certainly caught my attention, and I went in for a closer look.

This car is built in the “Pro-Touring” style, which means it is an older car (roughly from the 50s to the 70s) that has been upgraded with today’s technology. I have a fondness for pro-touring cars, and this one was absolutely perfect.

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LS9-Powered 1963 Corvette Split Window

1963 was a very special year for the Corvette. It was the debut year for the C2 Corvette which featured a new interior, an upgraded chassis, and an all-new exterior look. The critically acclaimed design was available as both a coupe and a convertible. Coupes had a futuristic fastback-style rear window, which was split for 1963 only.

With that in mind, we can agree that the 1963 split-window Corvette is a pretty special car that is desireable today. But there’s something about this particular ’63 Vette that makes it extra special: under the hood is a supercharged LS9 V8 engine from the sixth-generation Corvette ZR1!

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1961-65 Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon (Corvair 95/Corvan)

You may recall my article a few days back regarding the Fiberfab GT40 kit car.  Well, as it turns out that off fenced off parking area also contained a Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon.. just out of frame (surprise).  Whoever owns this land clearly has a thing for these cars, or just picked an odd vehicle for a donor motor (from which vehicle to which though?). Continue reading

Fiberfab Avenger GT/Valkyrie Kit Car (what remains)

A few weeks back I took a trip to California, naturally I was on the lookout for anything interesting or uncommon.  At some point I ended up walking through a small field of grass that had within it a little square area surrounded by a fence.  Inside was what appeared to be a very sad looking GT40 type mid engined kit car.

From what I have gathered this is either a Fiberfab Avenger GT or Valkyrie.  Unless there are subtle differences that I haven’t found a mention of the only real difference is towards the rear of the car where it is either a bit longer or shorter depending on the engine/donor setup.  The Avenger was the shorter of the two, designed for a Corvair or VW setup.  The longer Valkyrie model was setup for a larger V8 engine. Continue reading

Driven: 1969 Chrysler Imperial Sedan

I must confess that I have a newfound affection for fuselage-era Chryslers. Something about the way they look just looks “right” to me. From the headlamps to the tip of the tailpipes, I think these cars are just pure design gold.

I spotted this 1969 Chrysler Imperial sedan at Cars and Coffee in Las Vegas. It was parked a few rows away from the other cars, humbly minding its own business. No one paid it much attention, but I was smitten.

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