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TERLINGUA TERROR
“The car was made out of bits and pieces that I acquired over a couple of years.”

SMOKIN’ SS – Part 2
If you’ve ever built a car from scratch, then you know that getting the basic body and chassis together is not the tough part. What’s tough are all the details that eat up hours, days and weeks, but without this attention to detail, the project would suffer.

For-ward Thinking
Those who know Ottawa, Kansas Roger Ward are almost certainly aware of his dry wit, his candid demeanor and his unique ability to create understated cars, one after the other. His talent in applying the most understated details to relatively unsung vehicles provides a lesson for us all that the best way to make a strong statement is to say as little as possible and do it your own way.
While his daily duties revolved around reworked body panels and refining those efforts with a paint gun, his lifelong hobby has focused those skills on a series of cars that exudes the same laid-back character which can be enjoyed in this extremely subtle, yet equally eye-?catching, 64 short-wheelbase Chevy pickup. As with so many trucks of this era, previous owners didn’t worry too much about retaining its pristine originality. Dented and rusty, this truck had been through the proverbial ringer, which made this conversion that much more difficult to achieve. Then again, Ward’s particular talents have made a great deal out of lesser vehicles, so this would simply be another test of his talents and another example of the skills he wields.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: SuperMatic 4L75-E Four-Speed Automatic Transmission
In Stock NOW at Gandrud Performance Parts
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Gandrud Performance Parts
This isn’t some warmed-over rebuild. This is a Chevrolet-engineered, factory-remanufactured performance transmission, built with high-output crate engines in mind—including LS-series V8s and traditional small-block Chevy engines. It’s based on the 4L65-E/4L70-E family but leveled up with durability upgrades that let it confidently handle up to 650 lb.-ft. of torque—without breaking a sweat.
Built for Power. Tuned for the Street.
Chevy Performance didn’t just refresh this thing—they gave it a full workout. Inside, you’ll find five-pinion gearsets, a heat-treated stator shaft, and an induction-hardened turbine shaft built to take punishment. An eight-plate 3-4 clutch pack and high-strength input housing help it grab and hold power where lesser transmissions wave the white flag.
Add in a larger 2-4 band, a high-capacity servo, and performance-calibrated valve body, and you’ve got a unit that shifts hard, holds torque, and stays alive even when you’re giving it the beans.
The Gear Ratios You Want
With a first gear at 3.06, second at 1.62, and a highway-friendly 0.70 overdrive, the 4L75-E hits that sweet spot between burnout launches and comfortable cruise RPMs. It’s got the guts of a race-ready trans but with street manners—and it’s compact enough to fit where a 4L80-E just won’t go.
Think REMAN Means Used? Think Again
This REMAN unit from Chevrolet Performance isn’t just refurbished—it’s battle-tested. You get OEM quality, GM-backed durability, and performance upgrades that often surpass brand-new builds. No core return. No guesswork. Just a fully dialed-in transmission ready to bolt in and blast down the road.
Bolt-In Confidence
You’ll need an electronic controller to run this beast—pick one based on whether you’re running fuel injection or a carburetor setup. And if you’re using a Gen V LT engine, you’ll want the appropriate bellhousing kit. Either way, this unit gives you modern control with old-school toughness.
In Stock and Going Fast
These SuperMatic 4L75-E REMAN transmissions are flying off the shelves at Gandrud Performance Parts. If you’re planning an LS swap or tired of watching your old trans cry every time you hit the throttle, now’s the time to upgrade.
👉 Click here to order yours before they’re gone.
Because let’s be real—when you drop the hammer, you want your transmission to say, “Is that all you’ve got?” Not “Please make it stop.”
SuperMatic 4L75-E REMAN At a Glance…
Similar in design to the 4L65E/4L70-E, this 4L75-E electronically controlled four speed overdrive transmission is suitable for “LS” series V8 engines producing up to 650 Ft. Lbs of torque. Does Not include torque converter.
Features:
• Increased horsepower and torque capacity
• Heavy duty upgrades including 5 pinion gearsets
• Heat treated stator shaft splines
• Induction hardened turbine shaft
• Eight-plate 3-4 clutch packs
• Unique, high-strength input housing
• Specific valve body calibration
• Higher-capacity servo
• Larger 2-4 band
• Gear ratios: 1st-3.06, 2nd-1.62, 3rd-1.00, 4th .070




