We’ve been getting hit from all angles from our readers wanting to get their rides featured in our magazine. As much as we would like to help them get their car featured, it takes a bit more than a set of aftermarket wheels and a few bolt-ons to do so. Sure, every car is special to its owner, and every car has a story, but it takes something extra. An X-Factor. A unique significance, if you will.
In other words, it needs to get a lot of attention on our site, and Matt Cole’s 2006 Trailblazer SS falls under those categories. Yes, it’s an SUV, and no, it might not fit the typical “hot rod” definition, but it definitely deserves some coverage. Why does a “soccer mom vehicle” deserve any acknowledgment?
Well, it runs low 11s for starters, and it’s currently the quickest naturally-aspirated Trailblazer SS in the world. With a current best time of 11.34 at 117 MPH it’s clearly modified in a way that puts a 5,000 pound, brick-shaped vehicle in “feature car status.”
Cole’s SUV has benefited from a set of CNC-ported cylinder heads and a custom grind camshaft from Alvin Anderson of PCMofNC.com. Rounding out the engine mods, Cole relies on a FAST LSXrt intake manifold that has been ported by Tony Marmo, a Nick Williams 102mm throttle body, a custom cold air intake, and an electric water pump – also from PCMofNC.com.
Expelling the spent gases are a pair of American Racing headers and a custom exhaust system, while a fully-fortified 4L70E gearbox mated to a Yank high stall converter sits behind the beefed up LS2.
Keeping Cole’s TBSS planted to the pavement is a set of KW springs and double adjustable shocks, custom upper and lower control arms and control arm mounts. True Forged Wheels wrapped in M&H rubber are what Cole relies on to hook off the starting line every time.
So does Cole’s truck deserve to be featured in a Power Automedia publication? With it being the current record holder in it’s category, it’s super clean appearance, and for generally being bad ass, we would have to say so.