1966 Chevy Chevelle Silver State Classic Challenge Drive - Hellraiser '66

The other thing that was right on the ball was the car's handling. This was about the most uneventful 160 mph a guy could experience. Believe me, I'd like to tell you a hair-raising tale of hanging by the skin of my teeth, on the edge motor chaos. But it just wasn't so. The menacing black Velle sliced though the Nevada desert with nary a shimmy or shake. "The high part was how well the car handled," concluded Peruto. As for me, I never even winced or raised an eyebrow the whole run--it was that steady and planted. To which Mcclenon replied, "That's the greatest compliment you can have as a chassis builder." That's my new theory, contradictory as it may sound: The faster you're going, the less eventful you want the ride to be. Trust me. It'll still be plenty exciting.

Another view from inside the...        read full caption Another view from inside the car shows the entrance to the most hazardous part of the course, the Narrows. The road is twisty, and sheer rock walls are very much in evidence. This section is the one part of the course in which drivers are allowed to go slower than their class's minimum speed.	After exiting the Narrows,...        read full caption After exiting the Narrows, it's time to get on the gas again and make up for lost speed. Unfortunately for us, we needed to run 165 mph to reach our average speed of 160 mph. The car felt great and like it had plenty more on tap, but with the oil temp showing 260 degrees, Peruto decided not to risk trashing an expensive Donovan big-block and took us in easy--if you can call 160 mph "taking it in easy."	In the finish pits, Peruto...        read full caption In the finish pits, Peruto and I extricated ourselves from the CFH and gave it a once-over. Or rather, he checked it out, pulling the dipstick to check the oil condition (it was fine). I was more interested in the amazing coating of bugs we'd collected during our 90-mile banzai run.
They key to the Chevelle From...        read full caption They key to the Chevelle From Hell's planted, totally secure handling is Hotrods to Hell's Centerdrive Truckarm setup. This is the type of arrangement you'll find under a Cup car. This rear system tied into the same pickup point as the front makes for an exceptionally stable platform.	Lest you think Mcclenon neglected...        read full caption Lest you think Mcclenon neglected the front suspension system, rest easy. The 12-inch engine setback allows the aforementioned common front and rear pickup points and gives this A-body an almost exactly 50/50 weight bias. Hotrods to Hell tubular control arms are a natural, but the front subframe has been redesigned to use a stressed member sway bar tube--more Cup-style technology. That adds to that planted ride.	You'd expect a vehicle like...        read full caption You'd expect a vehicle like this to have plenty of oomph under the hood, of course, and that's just what you'd find: an all aluminum Donovan big-block churning out 750 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. Also note the snout bars flanking the mill.
The Chevelle From Hell is...        read full caption The Chevelle From Hell is ostensibly a street car built to race, staying true to the spirit of the Silver State event. The cockpit, however, is just about all race car--on the other hand, there's actually a switch for the turn signals in the center console.	A fuel cell is mandatory for...        read full caption A fuel cell is mandatory for this level of open road racing. Peruto supplemented his with an auxiliary fuel pump to ensure that losing fuel pressure wouldn't be a problem.	After all the talk about how...        read full caption After all the talk about how planted and steady the Chevelle From Hell was at high speed, we couldn't help but give you an inside look at why this thing handles like a champ. The original frame is present, though it has been totally reworked to create the aforementioned common front and rear suspension pickup points and the raised floor. And talk about rigid--check out the tube steel spine running down the center of the car. Add in the full rollcage, and we've got nothing short of a full-tube-chassis, Cup-style '66 Chevelle, just as its creator intended.
To the victor go the spoils...and...        read full caption To the victor go the spoils...and to those who finish second as well. Jim Peruto and I missed the top spot in the 160-mph class by a mere 0.064 second. While a Second Place plaque and a pose with the trophy girls was nice, believe us when we say that plans are already in the works for a return run at the top spot.