Interior, Seats, and Stuff
Hey guys, great mag! Like most of your readers, I look forward to the upcoming articles and can't wait until the next issue. I have an eye-catching '67 RS Camaro loaded with a naturally aspirated 383 small-block that's dyno-rated at 450 at the flywheel and is backed up by a 700-R4. It has been minitubbed to accommodate larger wheels and tires and comes to a stop with 13-inch Baer rotors. There is more, but enough of the small talk other than to say most everything has been redone, a lot by me, but also with help and guidance from my local Camaro shop.
I am always looking for the next improvement, which is why I suggest the following article for the magazine. While many owners want to keep the interior of their rides looking stock, some of us would like to update the seats for comfort. A recent backache (getting older sucks) from a 100-mile round trip confirmed there is room for improvement. This is tricky because the seat has to look "right" in the car. If it's too big it looks terrible, but it needs to be big enough for the old backside. It would be great to see an article about different seats that provide comfort for cruising while retaining some semblance of originality. If nothing else, you could suggest what seats from later-generation Camaros would fit in first-gens and even suggest aftermarket seat manufacturers. You guys are great for articles about stuff under the hood, trannys, and other mechanical stuff! How about a little more attention to the products available for the interior?
Keep up the great work.
Gerald Bogue
LaGrange, GA
Your letter couldn't have come at a better time. We're already in the midst of generating more interior edit, including a detailed buyer's guide to showcase what's available. And for what it's worth, I've fractured and compressed my back from a riding accident so I know exactly how painful it can be. That said, I really enjoy the Corbeau CR1 seats that were installed in our Camaro ("Performer," Sept. '08).
You may have noticed our Garage department shrinking a bit. We've been slowly integrating these items over on our blog at chevyhiperformance.com in order to bring the news to you in a more timely manner. Don't fret though. We still have room for all your letters, so keep 'em coming: chevyhi@sourceinterlink.com.
Oversteer
John Nelson
I'm feeling a bit on edge today, but for the first time in a while I mean that in a good way. Not that I don't feel it otherwise-a too-long commute, the constant struggle to make deadlines, and just the effort to take care of day-to-day business ensure a constant filament of tension runs through my worn-out daily grind. Anybody else know what I'm talking about? But this is different-it's a tension born of excitement, of anticipation, of knowing a little adventure has made its way into my daily plod.
It's been a long time since I've been racing. I can't claim to be a diehard competitor-I've done some bracket racing, and I've done some open road racing. Oh, and I've been karting a few times. That's something I'd like to do more of, if only I could get the time and the space and the money. Again, I'm guessing some of you know what I'm talking about. But whether you're an every-weekend fanatic or a once-in-a-while dabbler, in competing we're all looking for a rush, the powerful primal sensation of putting oneself to the test.
As I feel this edginess, it's hard to believe that it's exactly three weeks until the Silver State Classic Challenge begins. Three weeks to take care of business at the office. Three weeks to get prepared mentally, physically, and logistically, for the race. Three weeks for this edge, this adrenalin-tinged moment I all of a sudden seem to be living in, to ramp higher and higher as the day of the contest draws closer. Will I be able to handle it, or will I just up and spontaneously combust by then?
There's a lot here that deserves sober thought. I'm signing up for a helluva fast ride, and there's most certainly a viable component of danger to this enterprise. And there's also that other sober thought: Much as I'm looking forward to the rush that comes with strafing down the highway at warp speed and want to do everything I can to do it safely, I also want to navigate true and help win my speed class. Of course, that's a whole other rush (if you like that kind of thing), and who knows if my tired old bones can handle two jolts in a single weekend. Naturally, that's a chance I think I'll take.