Red Rider
'70 nova SS
Doug George
Cambridge, OH
Two-door '68-74 Novas make excellent musclecars, and Doug George's '70 SS is a prime example. For added power, Doug pulled the original small-block and carried it to Watson-Ruppel Performance, where they bored it 0.030 over and added a 3.75-inch-stroke crankshaft and other performance goodies from the Summit catalog. A reworked TH350 automatic trans transfers the power to the rear, where BFG radials then provide the bite. To save a few bucks, Doug purchased most of the new chrome and both bumpers online, via eBay. Inside, he replaced the stock instruments with a set of trick Covan's gauges. Plans include swapping out the factory 9.5-inch rear drums for a set of disc brakes.
Bigger Is Better
'69 Camaro SS
Don Gates
Mentor, OH
Whether it's the classic lines, ease of modification, or overall style, '69 Camaros are flat-out awesome to own, build, and drive. Don Gates owns this black-on-black SS, and it's completely restored to look better than new and has the performance to back it. Under the cowl hood, he dropped a 454 Rat motor to supply plenty of high-torque acceleration, which transfers through a TCI TH400 automatic and 12-bolt rearend with 3.08:1 gears. The deep black paint, white sport stripe, and glistening chrome have won Don a number of trophies at local car shows.
Calling All Caprices
'95 caprice 9c1
edward simmons
Hatboro, PA
The '94-96 police-package Caprices fitted with the LT1 engines offered law enforcement agencies a car with a well-tuned handling package and top-speed capability over 140 mph. Edward Simmons owns this '95 Caprice ex-New York trooper and knocked the performance level up a few notches with several mods. First the engine was rebuilt, balanced, blueprinted, and fitted with a pair of Edelbrock aluminum heads. Then he installed a set of Clear Image Automotive Tri-Y headers routed to DMH electric cutouts and Spintech Pro Street mufflers. Where the standard overdrive automatic once lived, Edward installed a T56 six-speed manual transmission and then replaced the 3.08:1 rearend gears with a 4.10:1 GM cog and an Eaton posi unit, while the add-on cowl-style hood features a pair of side emblems that read "Police Interceptor."