318, no wait, 360, no wait, Hemi. That's right.
Who: Tory Robson
Where: Woodbury, MN
What: '71 Dodge Challenger
Why: The car was bought with a dog of a 318. When the engine was yanked, Tory found out it was actually a 360, but he didn't care because he already had a 472 Hemi crate engine with a Holley 950HP carb. He added 3-inch pipes with some Magnaflow mufflers for some nice cackle. It had what Tory calls a cheesy vinyl top, which he removed, and he found some nice masking tape covering rust holes caked over with Bondo. The experts at Sharadon Performance in Hugo, Minnesota, sawed the top off, miraculously found a donor lid, and surgically welded it on. On went the 17 and 18 Foose Nitrous wheels for a rubber rake, some A/C, and an Alpine system with Fosgate speakers.
He Says: I'm just a chiropractor who loves cool cars and always has. I promised myself I'd have one again someday. With 550 horses, maybe I'll put "whiplash" on the plates.
Forgotten Muscle
Who: Mike Ringland
Where: Billerica, MA
What: '70 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Why: Because this Monte is in great shape, and first-generation Monte's are forgotten by most. Mike's has a 350 with an Edelbrock intake and a Holley 750 carb.
He Says: I am searching now for a big-block to take the Monte to its full potential.
Two Montes?
What, are we nuts?Who: Scott Lee
Where: Lombard, IL
What: '74 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Why: According to Scott, people are starting to look at his car when he drives it to shows. Even though it's stock, the prices of other garden-variety musclecars have made the Monte cool again.
He Says: At shows, people always seem to notice the Chevy everyone forgot.
Readers' Letters
The FE Score
That white Mercury S55 (Scene, Oct. '06) is way too straight and solid for you guys to pull its guts out. I realize big cars aren't as cool as Torinos and Mustangs. I also appreciate the rarity of the 428. If you must mess with that barge, why not leave it intact and modify it? Suspension and brake mods, some Marauder badging, and maybe wheels? Think about it. If you must yank a motor, I passed by a wrecked Merc convertible last week while visiting Los Angeles. It looked like a tree fell across its rear. Maybe it's got a 428. -Doug Hallberg, large-car driver
The Troz
I just received my first issue of your magazine. While having been somewhat familiar with Car Craft, the single reason I subscribed was because I learned George Trosley's Krass & Bernie was going to appear in your publication. Had I known it was starting in May, I would have subscribed sooner. As long as Mr. Trosley's work is part of Car Craft, I shall continue to subscribe. Thank you for allowing his old and new fans to have continued access to his talents. -Joseph Davis, Tampa, FL
 He said "no way" to the steelies...  He said "no way" to the steelies and hubcaps and "yes" to Foose rollers. |
 He also said "yes" to the...  He also said "yes" to the 472 Hemi crate, but who wouldn't? |
 CC staff stooges were one...  CC staff stooges were one ATM away from buying a big-block Monte at the Summer Nats in 1998. |
 Yes. Yes we are. It's cool...  Yes. Yes we are. It's cool though, admit it. |
 Quite possibly every speed...  Quite possibly every speed part known to man is right here in the engine bay. |
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