1970 Chevy Nova - In Yer Ear

The interior displays a perfect mix of Spartan function, and tasteful comfort. The Racepack dash with analog tach, the eight-point rollcage, climate controls, and sound system all serve a purpose, but each was integrated into the structure of the interior in a manner that no one thing stands out. No one thing detracts from the whole. Everything works in concert. Aggressive, step-cut trim pieces show up on the dash background, the speaker housing, and shifter boot bezel, keeping consistent with the design throughout the vehicle. Supple leather and velvety suede were joined together on the low-back Recaro seats and door panels by craftsmen at The Recovery Room in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. They attached the soft hides with a thin, bright stitching that gives just the right amount of pop to the upholstery. Once the driver is absorbed into this environment, a quick turn of the key brings life to the art piece.

One of Gary's original requirements for the project was a massive engine with big-'n'-tall horsepower. A 572ci crate engine from GMPP was sourced, and would satisfy the average-size individual. This was not an average build though, so after a few phone calls, an F2 Procharger showed up, and the Rad Rides guys went about working it into the mix. The belt-driven blower was flipped around backward and mounted to the front of the frame, allowing the throttle body to breathe from just behind the grille. All of the compressed air is piped through plumbing hidden within the fenders and dash, finally reappearing though a coupling exiting the firewall. On the other side of that coupler, the air enters the plenum to mix with whatever fuel happens to be in the tank that day. You see, this was built as a true flex-fuel engine. Unleaded? Sure. Ten percent Ethanol? No problem. E85? Got it covered. John Meaney's Big Stuff 3 controls the tune that is automatically altered to match whatever blend of corn juice is mixed with petrol. When the blend is good, the big-block puts out over 1,000 horses. More than enough to do donuts until the BFG 295/45R18s catch fire. When cruising on a long trek, the blower belt is easily removed for a "tame" 620 hp.

Though it is definitely show quality, this car was built to drive. Troy brought in pieces from Detroit Speed and QA1 to handle ride quality. Front spindles from an '07 Vette display the Rad Rides Signature Series six-piston calipers by Baer Brakes. Consistency was maintained, as that aggressive step pattern was milled into the 18x8 Billet Specialties rims up front, and the 18x10s out back. A Ford 9-inch rear was fitted with 3.50:1 gears and a Detroit Locker to attempt to control whatever power was sent through the Bowler-built 4L80E transmission. The tranny is a bombproof unit, and is also controlled by the Big Stuff ECU. Most people don't think of automatics when it comes time for a track day at the road-race course. Nevertheless, a trip through the cones in Joliet proved the auto performed flawlessly. The biggest problem was trying to control the boundless torque available at the twitch of a toe.

Troy knew that once he had satisfied the first two major requirements of the build, he would need just the right shades of gray to impart the car with a pigment that matched its attitude. Something too light would blend into the background. Close to black would be too obvious. The perfect shade ended up being a BASF Tierra Del Fuego Gray with a flattened 2008 Maybach tint providing the chalkboard-effect accents on the upward facing panels. The result is striking. Menacing even. It releases the car from the world of smiley faces and cubicle-bred blandness and brings it to a darker place. A place where normally straight-laced men like Gary Abraham could see themselves running grain alcohol across state lines and not worrying about the Man catching up. It's the kind of car that gets in trouble sitting still. Perhaps that's how it got its name, Notorious. It fits.