TheAutoBuilder.com

Hot Rod/Muscle Car

HOPPING UP A FIRST- GENERATION 265 V-8

If you have been around Chevys for 40 or 50 years, think of this story as a sort of “reunion.” For oh-so-many of us, that’s just what it is, a good ol’ reunion with Chevy’s very first small-block V-8 engine. Tens of thousands of our readers had one, and many still do.

Product Spotlight: BTR PLATINUM LS DUAL SPRING KIT

Alright, gearheads, if you’ve been chasing that extra performance edge for your LS engine, it’s time to step up your game. The BTR Platinum LS Dual Spring Kit – .660 Lift (SK001) from Brian Tooley Racing is the go-to upgrade when you’re running a high-lift cam and want to keep things dialed in tight. Let me tell you, this kit is more than just parts in a box—it’s the insurance policy your high-performance build demands.

Almost Twins

Two of a kind? Not quite. Chip Rhodes’ ’68 Nova SS clone and Donnie Childers’ ’66 Chevelle are as different as they are similar. Different body styles, small block vs. big block, SS vs. non-SS—but, my, there is a family resemblance: pale yellow in color, each with a black vinyl top, black interior and gray five-spoke wheels. Fraternal twins, then?

R-CODE Refined

Neal Hensl is a true muscle car enthusiast. Over the years he’s owned plenty of them, including Novas, Chevelles, Corvettes and a Fairlane. Not long ago, he picked up a ’68 Mustang fastback, and it wasn’t just any fastback—it was a rare R-code.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BTR’s Red Hot Camshaft

Alright, let’s talk camshafts—and not just any camshaft, but the BTR Red Hot Cam from Brian Tooley Racing. If you’re looking to unlock some real grunt from your LS engine and make it scream like it’s ready to tear the asphalt in half, this thing is the hot ticket. No fluff, no filler—this cam delivers straight-up power, attitude, and everything you love about LS engines dialed up to 11.

24 PERFECT PARTS AND TIPS

Are you driving an old truck, or perhaps you are driving a newer, modified pickup that is being upgraded as you go? Either way, both present their own set of challenges, which when not addressed, will turn normal operation into a nightmarish chore. No one enjoys breaking down along the side the road, so you do what you can to favorably stack the odds against such breakdowns. Truth is you do this by eliminating the simple oversights and by selecting the right parts that enhance the performance and operation of your daily driver.

RADICALLY DIFFERENT

During the latter part of the 1950s, as America fell into a recession, the American industry machine suffered. The Big Three Detroit automakers felt the hit and quickly began building affordable cars that would appeal to the public.

TEST AND TUNE

A stroll through the pits at the local 1/8-mile dragstrip is always fun for us, as you’re likely to see any number of cars that use a full-tube chassis, fiberglass body and monstrous slicks to click off consistent 5-second elapsed 1/8-mile times. However, it’s far more entertaining to see a stock-appearing car hit those same numbers, and that’s exactly what Greg Corbin’s ’98 Trans Am is capable of doing.

MAXIMUM DETAIL

With its immaculate details throughout, this ’06 Mustang GT never fails to grab attention, but we’re sure Frank DeFeo isn’t finished modifying his Ford. An aggressive lower valance, smoked headlights and a billet grille lead the way, and the Torch Red finish is complemented by black stripes, painted by McClure Collision of Charlotte.

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