We almost tossed this entry into the garbage can, thinking it was someone's gratuitous attempt at getting their girlfriend in the magazine with their daily driver. Truthfully, Brandon Bussard's 2002 Ford Focus wouldn't get two dirty looks from most hot rodders, until they stared at a pair of two long black tire patches being tattoo'ed to the tarmac by the rear tires. And that's just the way Brandon likes it. Brandon's Focus was built almost entirely by him (including the paint) in his Warsaw, Indiana, shop (Bussard Performance Specialties). Brandon performed all the mechanicals, including a conversion to being driven by the correct set of wheels. DSS built the 331 Windsor stroker, which sites in front of a Tremec TKO 500; Kugel Komponents also lent a hand with some suspension fabrication. Inside, Brandon has transformed the pedestrian commuter with a custom instrument panel loaded with Auto Meter dials. An aluminum sheetmetal tunnel covers the beefy Tremec.
| 2002 FORD FOCUS |
| Car Owner: | Brandon Bussard; Warsaw, IN |
| Photographer: | Ken Rieves; Fort Wayne, IN |
| Camera: | Canon 30D |
| Model: | Amanda Hypes |
| Photo location: | Warsaw, IN |
| Engine: | 331ci Ford Windsor small-block, |
| | 10.5:1 compression |
| Cylinder heads: | Edelbrock Performer RPM, |
| | stud-mount rockers |
| Camshaft: | COMP Cams, custom spec hydraulic roller |
| Intake: | GT-40 upper and lower |
| Carb/induction: | 65mm throttle body, |
| | Superchips Custom Tune software |
| Transmission: | Tremec TKO 500 |
| Cooling: | factory radiator, Spal fan setup, |
| | Edelbrock water pump |
| Rearend model & gearing: | Ford 8.8-inch, Auburn posi, |
| | Moser axles, 3.55 gears |
| Suspension/brakes: | custom by owner |
| | and Kugel Komponents (La Habra, CA); |
| custom rear four link; |
| custom tubular front K-member; |
| custom sway bars; |
| stock Focus front brakes, |
| ’92 Mustang rear drums |
| Body & paint: | Brandon Bussard |
| | (Bussard Performance Specialties) |
| Wheels: | Motegi MR7, 17x7, front; 17x8, rear |
| Tires: | Dunlop 225/45R17, front; 245/45R17, rear |
| Peak hp: | 400 hp (flywheel) |
| Best ¼-mile time: | n/a |
| Built by: | owner |
| Years owned: | 2 years |
| Cost to build: | $55,000 |
Kregg Reynolds finished his '73 Camaro in 1985 and began showing it in earnest. Crushed blood red velvet interior, candy stripes, easter-egg paint, chrome wheels, tubular grille, and a 6-71 blower through the hood are your cue to crank up the Van Halen, don the spandex, and dust off that can of Aquanet. Tired of the scene in 1991, Kregg mothballed the split bumper 'maro in a barn until 2003. After washing the dust off and vacuuming the mouse nests out, Kregg was back in action just in time for the Street Machine/Pro Street revival we're now enjoying.
| 1973 CAMARO TYPE LT Z/28 |
| Car Owner: | Kregg Reynolds; Knoxville, MD |
| Photographer: | Kregg Reynolds |
| Camera: | Minolta 8000 |
| Model: | Brandi Danner |
| Photo location: | Merryland Park; Brunswick, MD |
| Engine: | 355ci small-block Chevy |
| Cylinder heads: | Dart Iron Eagle |
| Camshaft: | mechanical roller, |
| | .650-inch lift, 294 degrees duration |
| Intake: | Weiand |
| Carb/induction: | dual Holley 750-cfm blower carbs, |
| | Weiand 6-71 supercharger |
| Transmission: | Turbo 350; 3,500-rpm stall converter |
| Rearend model & gearing: | GM 12-bolt |
| | with 4.11 gears |
| Suspension/brakes: | factory |
| Peak hp: | 525 hp |
| Best ¼-mile time: | n/a |
| Years owned: | 27 |
| Cost to build: | $35,000 |