1968 Firebird * Bruce Hanson * Melbourne, FL
Back in 1978, Bruce Hanson picked this '68 Firebird up for $640--his best friend, Gary, pitching in the last $40 to reel this `Bird in. "Within a week, I had sanded off the paint, since I knew I was going to give it a new paintjob. Since that time, the car has been through numerous rebuilds of its 400 Pontiac motor. I drag raced the car for quite some time," writes Bruce. Then marriage, then a move, then a new house happened. The Pontiac sat covered until he started the current phase in 2005. "I saw an article about Chris Kerr's '68 Camaro [in Popular Hot Rodding], and I was hooked. Then I stumbled upon the Lateral-g and Pro Touring websites." The final piece of the puzzle happened when Bruce contacted artist Kris Horton to render his dream in lifelike form.
| By The Numbers |
| Engine: | 540ci big-block Chevy |
| Transmission: | Tremec TKO-600 five-speed |
| Suspension: | Martz, DSE, Afco, Koni, Flaming River |
| Brakes: | Wilwood |
| Rear: | Currie 9-inch Ford |
| Wheels: | Budnik Tiller (17x8 & 17x13) |
| Tires: | Michelin 245/45R17 & 335/35R17 |
1973 Corvette * Wes Jeans * Marshall, TX
"I have been into cars as far back as I can remember," says Wes Jeans. "My dad said the only way he could get me to sleep as a baby was to ride me around in his '68 Camaro SS, and play Jimi Hendrix. Go figure!" Ever since then, Wes has been rocking out, and working on cars. When he's not touring, or recording in the studio (you can check out his latest album, "Forest of the Pine," at myspace.com/wesjeans), Wes likes to work on his '73 Corvette. Currently, Wes is building a 406ci small-block with Scat crank and rods, Speed Pro pistons, Dart 200cc heads, Holley Avenger street carb, and an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake. Wes is shooting for a Baldwin Motion Stage III look, but with modern 18-inch wheels and tires. Rock on Wes!
| By The Numbers |
| Engine: | 406ci small-block |
| Exhaust: | Hooker side pipes |
| Power adder: | 150hp shot of NOS |
| Body mods: | L88 fender flares, L88 hood, Motion graphics |
| Other cars: | Vortech supercharged 2003 Z06 |
| Wheels: | 18x10 & 18x12 |
| Tires: | 275/35R18 & 335/30R18 |
1966 Pontiac Tempest * Norb Neighbors * Bensenville, IL
Growing up in a car family, Norb Neighbors didn't waste any time after high school; he built a bright yellow '57 Chevy that was inspired by PHR's Project X. "I started working at the Chicago Transit Authority right after high school in the maintenance department," writes Norb. "I learned even more fabrication skills there." After several promotions, Norb decided to buy a house, and made the tough decision to sell the '57 for the down payment. Now at 48, Norb has retired from the CTA, and is getting back into the game. It turns out that the '66 Tempest Norb subsequently found was the same one he'd seen in high-school. "The years were a little rough on the car, but I had to have it anyway. I felt like I was 16 again." Body and paint work followed, and is in progress now.