The first thing Troy Trepanier wants you to know about this ’69 Torino Talladega he’s creating for George Poteet is that it is first and foremost a hard-core race car. While it will be finished to the same level as Rad Rides’ show cars, end to end the construction and parts choice will be geared toward road racing. The interior, for example, will be as bare as they come with a competition rollcage and oval punched and riveted sheetmetal throughout. Check out those side windows; they look like standard Dzus-fastened lexan, but they actually still roll down. We love that innovation.
The overall feel of the Talladega will lean distinctly toward vintage NASCAR, but with lots of purpose-driven subtle alterations. For example, original Talladega Torinos used the rear bumper on the front along with a pinched grille area for improved aerodynamics; this one will have a slightly revised nose with handmade bumpers that tuck in tighter and save weight. Even harder to notice will be the 3.5-inch-shorter fenders and slightly flared quarters. The handmade front chin spoiler, rockers, and rear diffuser will also benefit from aerodynamic lessons learned from racing the Blowfish Barracuda on the salt. George is no stranger to racing, so expect to see this Talladega intimidating the competition at various events later this year.
Engine: 750hp Boss 429 with Hilborn injection
Rearend: Mark Williams 9-inch
Suspension: Art Morrison chassis with C5 Corvette front suspension and a custom four-link with Watt’s link rear by Rad Rides
Wheels & Tires: 18- and 19-inch Billet Specialties with BFG tires
Trend: Bolt-in spine style full frame with modern suspension for Camaros
Swapping out the subframe on first- and second-gen Camaros for a full frame isn’t a new idea, but the boys devised a unique and innovative approach for their soon-to-be-released chassis. Rather than the standard perimeter-style rails that run along the outward edge of the floorpan, the Dooley chassis uses a spine style that sends the rails down the middle of the tunnel alongside the driveshaft. Believe it or not, those smooth sweeps front to rear are accomplished with a one-piece rail per side.
Fortunately, right about the time they were ready to start development, a good customer walked in with a ’67 Camaro in need of some love. The previous owner had been doing pretty much everything wrong, but the body was perfect, so Dooley’s was able to strip it down and get all the data they needed.
There’s still a lot up in the air since the final rendering isn’t finished, but look for bright red paint with a Ferrari-inspired interior.
Engine: 700hp 454ci LSX, Hilborn EFI
Trans: Keisler T56 six-speed
Rearend: 9-inch, 3.90 gears
Suspension: Dooley & Sons full frame with tubular control arms, coilovers, and splined sway bar; triangulated four-bar rear with coilovers
Brakes: 14-inch Wilwood with six-piston calipers
Wheels & Tires: 20x9 22x11 Boze
Project name: Hell’s Charger
Trend: Ultimate top-speed muscle cars
There’s a reason Hot Rods To Hell chose to turn this ’70 Charger into a Superbird, and it has nothing to do with imposing looks and everything to do with function. In full NASCAR trim, the Superbird was by far the slipperiest muscle car to ever grace an oval with the best air control, so when a customer proclaimed his desire to obliterate the Unlimited Class record at the Silver State Classic in vintage American iron, it was the logical choice.