Beyond the Elite 10
September 13, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
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Spotlighter
Car Spotting at HPX 2025
A look at the few unforgettable rides that caught our eye at the 2025 High Performance Expo.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Inaugural HPX Makes a Powerful First Impression
The inaugural High Performance Expo (HPX) made a powerful first impression, drawing industry professionals, builders, and enthusiasts to Charlotte for a three-day celebration of speed, innovation, and craftsmanship. From the packed show floor to live demos and high-profile panels, HPX delivered a dynamic mix of business and culture that felt more like a high-octane festival than a traditional trade show. With standout vehicles from top shops and legacy names alike—including purpose-built drag cars, pro-touring builds, and one-of-a-kind customs—the event proved to be a visual feast for anyone with a passion for performance.
Automotive Highlights from the HPX Show Floor
Here’s a look at some of the standout vehicles we spotted on the show floor—a well-rounded mix of vintage muscle, modern performance builds, and creative custom projects that reflected the depth and diversity of the high-performance world. From meticulously restored classics to boundary-pushing experiments in speed and style, each car told its own story and added to the energy that made HPX such a memorable debut. It wasn’t just about what’s fast—it was about what’s cool.
Ed Bolian’s Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
One of the Last Great Manual V12s
Ed Bolian’s Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 was one of the standout cars at HPX, and it’s easy to see why. This 2008 example, finished in the ultra-rare Verde Draco, features a factory 6-speed gated manual—a rare find among U.S. Murciélagos. Powered by a 6.5L V12 producing 631 horsepower sent to all four wheels, it rockets from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and tops out above 211 mph. Bolian, known for founding VINwiki and holding a Cannonball Run record, has an impressive automotive pedigree, but this car holds a special place. Inspired by the iconic Top Gear press car driven by Jeremy Clarkson, this Verde Draco model took years to track down. With its Nero Perseus and Verde Ulysses interior, Q-Citura stitching, and carbon fiber accents, it represents one of the final analog V12 supercars before Lamborghini embraced dual-clutch transmissions—a pure driver’s machine that made a strong impression at the show.
The Great American
1964 Rambler American by American Racing Headers
Nick Filippides, co-owner of American Racing Headers, is no stranger to wild builds—but his latest creation, a 1964 Rambler American known as The Great American, might be his boldest yet. Rather than taking the easy road with an LS swap, Filippides stayed true to AMC roots, building a stroked AMC 401 punched out to 455 cubic inches. The combination delivers 546 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque, topped with ported Edelbrock heads, a cross-ram intake, and twin Holley Terminator throttle bodies. A TREMEC Magnum 6-speed completes the package, giving this period-correct body serious street-strip credibility. Underneath, it’s all business with Calvert rear suspension, a built AMC M20 rear, and a Control Freaks front end with Viking coilovers. Despite the stock dash and full interior, this thing is anything but subtle—Filippides fully intends to powershift it into the 9s. Built in collaboration with Eddie’s Muscle Car Garage and Race Engines Plus, The Great American looked right at home at HPX—equal parts show car and tire destroyer.
Donkmaster 1971 Z06 Chevrolet Caprice
The Donkmaster ’71 Z06 Caprice is a remarkable blend of classic style and serious performance. Sage Thomas, owner of In and Out Customs in North Charleston, South Carolina, and founder of the National Donk Racing Association, has transformed this ’71 Caprice into a powerhouse. At its core is a Z06 Corvette engine, boosted with a large turbo and nitrous, delivering an astonishing 1,500 horsepower. This car isn’t just eye candy—it’s one of the fastest donks on the drag strip today.
Visually, the Donkmaster Z06 stands out with its vibrant paint and commanding 26-inch rims, perfectly capturing the bold spirit of donk culture. The car has earned its reputation through high-profile drag races, including a memorable showdown with Ken Block’s Hoonicorn. It’s a testament to Sage’s vision—melding classic American muscle with modern performance to create a donk that’s as powerful as it is iconic.
Tour DeLux Rally: Combining Luxury, Scenic Drives, and Charity
Several standout cars at HPX came from the Tour DeLux Rally (TDR), a unique multi-day, charity-driven road event based in the Southeast. Founded in 2019 by Steve Koss, TDR offers participants a scenic, high-end driving experience that favors breathtaking routes—like the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway—over outright speed. With stops at luxury destinations such as the Biltmore Estate and Harrah’s Casino, the rally combines adventure and community. Since 2020, TDR has raised over $60,000 for charities like Shriners Children’s Hospital and Bold & Beautiful Wigs for Cancer, all while building connections through yearly events, sprints, winery tours, and car shows.
Toyota Supra NHRA Stock Eliminator prototype
The Toyota Supra NHRA Stock Eliminator prototype revealed by Poole-Adams Racing at HPX turned heads with its sharp combination of factory roots and drag racing innovation. Powered by Toyota’s advanced 3.0L turbocharged inline-six B58 engine—the spiritual successor to the iconic 2JZ—this NHRA-legal build features Delta SCS engine management, an ATI Turbo 400 transmission, and a Strange 9-inch rearend built to handle serious power. Wrapped in the familiar Supra silhouette, it rolls on Weld Racing wheels shod with Goodyear slicks and is equipped with high-performance suspension and cooling gear from Evolution of Speed. Known for their success in Stock Eliminator and division racing, Poole-Adams Racing is pushing the envelope with this build, aiming to shake up the field by bringing next-generation turbocharged muscle to the dragstrip.
Richard Petty’s Petty Hellcat
The Richard Petty Hellcat is a bold blend of NASCAR legend and modern muscle car might. This Hellcat honors the iconic Petty legacy with striking race-inspired styling and aggressive details, all powered by the supercharged V8 that Hellcats are famous for. Beneath its commanding exterior, the car delivers exhilarating horsepower and torque, perfectly balancing street-ready performance with a nod to Petty’s storied racing dominance. Crafted with precision and care, the Richard Petty Hellcat stands as a proud tribute to American muscle and motorsports heritage. Notably, it marks the final build to come out of the Petty Garage—closing a significant chapter in racing history.
Adding to its legacy, this Hellcat is being offered in a charity giveaway supporting causes close to the Petty family and the racing community. This rare opportunity not only lets fans own a piece of automotive history but also helps fuel meaningful philanthropic work, extending the car’s impact well beyond the track.
Vengeance Racing’s Carbon C6 ZR1 Corvette
The Carbon C6 ZR1, showcased at the Vengeance Racing booth by @thekingsmen.collection, is a masterpiece of engineering and design, built around a 400ci twin-turbo LSR powerplant. This powerhouse features a 400 cubic inch LSR aluminum engine block, a Callies “Magnum” crankshaft, and Diamond Pistons capable of handling 2000 hp, paired with advanced components like Brodix LS7 cylinder heads and twin Precision Turbos. Its body and exterior are equally impressive, equipped with a TIKT Performance carbon fiber front splitter, underbody panel, and a high-wing rear, complemented by a Bilstein MDS coilover system and Toyo Proxes R888 tires. This car blends cutting-edge performance with sleek aesthetics, making it a standout in the high-performance automotive world.
Project SALT: 2001 Pontiac Trans Am
Justin Cesler’s 2001 Trans Am, known as Project SALT, made a strong return to the spotlight at the High Performance Expo in Charlotte. This isn’t your average Trans Am—it’s a purpose-built standing mile racer with roots dating back to 2013. Powered by a robust 6.0L iron block paired with cathedral port TFS heads and an 88mm Turbonetics turbo, the car blends proven performance parts with careful craftsmanship. With Vengeance Racing overseeing the build, Project SALT has evolved from a basic roller into a near-complete race-ready machine, poised to take on the standing mile with serious power and precision engineering.
For Cesler, this Trans Am is more than just a race car—it’s the spark that ignited his passion for performance and helped shape his career. From college drives to years of thoughtful modification, Project SALT embodies dedication and growth in the high-performance world. Now gearing up for its official standing mile debut at Shift Sector in Indianapolis, the car stands as a symbol of legacy and ambition—an icon reborn and built to race.
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