This fine example of a early muscle is owned by Dave Stevens of NBS Race Cars in Pinellas Park, Florida. Its current configuration is the result of an extended, seven year project transforming the car from a back half, small block powered car to stock suspension with a 511 cubic inch big block Chevy.
Originally intended to run the stock suspension class locally at Sunshine Drag Strip, the car took a back seat so they could get things done around the shop and cars out the door. The class has now outpaced Dave’s budget and the car will see random cruising on the street and time at the track. In fact I met up with them this past Wednesday to see the car’s maiden voyage since the rebuild where it ran in the 6.7 range all night on the shakedown runs.
For power Stevens ran across a good engine deal from a local street racer getting out of the scene. The 511 cubic inch BBC started life as a Merlin pump gas 509ci crate engine from Summit Racing. It was refitted with a solid roller and upgraded pistons for the heavy nitrous use it would see. The heads were taken to HPS Performance for a once over, exhaust work and a cleanup on the intake side as well a spring swap. The most recent freshening took it out to the current 511 ci.
Underneath is as clean as the top for this frame off restomod 67 Chevelle. It’s equipped with a Turbo 400 transmission and Moser 9 inch rear end. Inside a Turbo Action Cheetah shifter selects the gears while Auto Meter water temp, oil pressure and a volt meter reside on a custom mount attached to the dash. The car also features a bit of modern technology with an in dash CD player and full stereo including an I Pod interface, gotta love that. Outside on the cowl are nitrous pressure, a vacuum gauge to monitor readings from the Aerospace vacuum pump and 2 separate fuel pressure gauges, one for the carb, and one for the fuel side of the Applied Nitrous Technology plate system.