House of Hardtops

Interesting auto related links

Black Panther Camaro Less than 50 produced out of the Toronto based Gorries Chevrolet/Oldsmobile, with only two documented surviving examples, the '67 ZL-1 equipped 'Black panthers' are perhaps the rarest Camaros on the planet.

First EPA test car No it wasn't some eco-friendly import commuter, it was a Ray Nichels custom built 1970 Superbird. Here's the gist - The EPA sought a car capable of chasing alongside commercial aircraft in order to test pollution accumulatng out on the tarmac. So the plan called for one of the suits from the EPA to lean out the passenger window at 100 plus mph, while holding some hokey testing wand conected to some fancy equipment set up in the back. Not surprisingly, the entire Effort was a total failure, and the EPA discarded the Plymouth to a government auction block soon after. Rediscovered decades later, the car has undergone a complete resto sans the EPA stupidity rigged up in the back seat thankfully.

Aerowarriors Great site offering in depth analysis on the legendary winged MoPar E and B bodies of the late sixties/early seventies.

The real French Connection contraband Invicta Fascinating read on the actual car used by a Corsican heroin ring to smuggle high grade heroin into NYC. The car of choice; the 1960 Buick Invcta due to it's cavernous inner fender wells. Down on the page to the left under 'fun and games'

Lamborghini killer '82 Cadillac Faster to sixty, faster to 1320...and pulls more lateral G's! Meet Jeff Schwartz's '82 Cad monster, winner of the '02 Car Craft Real Street Elliminator (RSE) challenge. This is the same Caddy that embarassed Dale Earnhardt Jr's '67 Camaro that was entered into the same event.

Glass Case Superbird Purchased new by a small dealer in West Virgina, this all original, 30k mile 440 six pack car was kept encased behind glass from 1970 to 2003!

Two lane '55 returns to Lakeland Great article on the closest to original surviving '55 gasser used in the film on a return trip to the abandoned Lakeland drag strip/road course in 2004.

Truppi-Kling 1970 454 Chevelle Ray Allen's Briggs Chevrolet 1970 Chevelle SS454 convert that stomped everything in 1970 NHRA S/S. The most notorious and valuable '70 Chevelle on the planet. Recently auctioned off at Barret Jackson for 1.2 mill.

1970 Cyclone Spoiler II Feature article on the 1970 prototype that along with the Ford 'King Cobra' were Fords never to materialize, aerodynamic responses to the Chrysler winged cars post 1970.

Lee Roy Yarbrough Car and Driver article on Yarbrough who in 1969 was at the top of his game, later falling victim to a head injury sustained on the track. Great info on a legend, such as the fact that Lee Roy actually grew up on the same block as lead singer for Lynrd Skynrd Ronnie Van Zant. Lee Roy is a great example of NASCAR's agenda at ignoring past legends because they don't fit into their misguided celebrity model mold.

Bootlegging Cars Great Hot Rod article on the actual rides of the infamous Appalachian bootleggers. The 'last American hero' Junior Johnson featured along with actual survivors, such as a late 50's Chrysler with 'Golden Lion' Poly motor, check out the Sonoramic long rams still hung up in the garage, great read and highly recommended.

Jungle Pam! Legendary match racer 'Jungle Jim' Libermen's braless, and go go booted sidekick from the seventies returns. Great shots of the duo together over the years, along with the Vega 'floppers'.

1960 X-400 Concept convertible Just a cool old factory supercharged concept.

Turbonique The hardcore of hardcore in bolt on's circa late sixties: The Orlando based Turbonique company. NASA inspired tech for your hot rod.

Published on: 2008-08-24 (298 reads)

[ Go Back ]