PHR's Third Annual Photo Contest - Hometown Heroes

Running down the entry sheet, things seemed business as usual, 'til the last line. Brian Coughlin, owner of this fastback, filled in under total cost to build, "about $5,000 more than my wife thinks! Can we keep this between us and your readers?" Out of courtesy, please don't notify his wife of the checkbook discrepancy. The car, on the other hand, is clean. The seemingly mile-thick black paint flows flawlessly over this original-body car. The engine still carries the factory components that Ford delivered the car with. This isn't to say Brian hasn't done a lot of work to this car. He has lowered it, fit it with upgraded grille, headlights, marker lights, wheels, refinished trim, and hood pins. Being a Southern California resident, we are quite positive this Mustang sees a lot of cruising, and we'll more than likely see it around.

The '70 Chevelle defines muscle, and you've seen this one before in our February 2008 issue ("Feasting On Asphalt"). It's iconic with its long hood, short back, and big wheelwells. Owner Monte Dinnell had every intention of having his '70 Chevelle live up to its name, and more. There's nothing more brutal than a big-block Chevy for this car, hence the legendary LS6 454 that came in a limited number of cars, making it one of the most valuable combinations in Chevy's history. Monte went one step further and employed a 540-inch big-block to do the grunt work. This pup supplies his Chevelle with just under 900 horsepower. No doubt, the rest of the car would have to be able to handle this power. That's why Monte backed it with a Dan Tinkes-built Turbo 350, and an even tougher GM 12-bolt rear stuffed with goodies. It's one thing to see an immaculate, show-car-quality engine bay, but another to see it actually being used. We were pleased to see a timeslip attached to this contest application, proving this beautiful Chevelle to be a nearly 9-second street car. Props!