Modifying traditional vehicles is a multi-billion greenback business, and whereas the potential permutations for what the perfect modded traditional may appear like could appear infinite, I’m right here to inform you that, actually, there’s one proper reply, and it’s “traditional American muscle automotive modified to period-correct SCCA or saloon automotive racing guidelines by a man in his driveway doing one automotive a yr.” Need proof? Superb, I’ll provide you with proof. Right here’s the Vinracer (to not be confused with Vinfast) Plymouth GTX in all its huge black, huge block glory.
Okay, so now that you just’re all good and riled up, let’s speak about what the Vinracer GTX truly is. It began life as a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II, which then Robert Brown from Vinracer proceeded to subtly modify in a bunch of rad methods with steerage from the 1966 SCCA rulebook. The powertrain is a 440 Mopar, however now it’s operating tremendous stealth Holley Sniper throttle physique injection for an output of round 650 hp, and as a substitute of a four-speed handbook, it’s now obtained a five-speed Tremec TKO. The rear finish is a 9-inch from Moser with a restricted slip and gearing that might theoretically let it hit 185 mph.
The chassis additionally obtained a bunch of sneaky modifications. For instance, the torsion bar and leaf spring suspension is gone, and instead are coilover shocks, entrance and rear. The automotive’s physique has been strengthened significantly with a 12-point full roll cage that ties into the entrance clip, and whereas it’s not going that the large Plymouth will deal with like a Lotus, it ought to nonetheless be good. The brakes come from Wilwood and are coated by some candy 17-inch Hallibrand-style knock-off wheels wrapped in Firestone cop automotive tires.
The physique has been widened by Brown merely chopping a slit within the entrance and rear fenders, then utilizing a buck to flare them out. Patches had been welded in to shut the whole lot up. The aluminum entrance chin spoiler and rear ducktail spoiler had been each made in-house by Brown as nicely. The grille is fairly customary aside from the consumption ducts that change the high-beam bulbs, ala a contemporary Hellcat. Nevertheless, the piece de resistance for the physique needs to be the reverse-hinged hood with energy bulge and useful scoops.
Inside, issues are easy, with a stripped sprint that has a complete set of gauges and never a lot else. The unique ignition key barrel now solely operates a battery cutoff, whereas all the opposite goodies, like ignition, starter, cooling fan, flip alerts, and so forth., dwell on an aircraft-style change panel on the customized middle console. The seats are from Corbeau and appear like they got here proper out of a ‘60s Le Mans racer. There aren’t any home windows that absolutely shut, no exterior door handles and no windshield wipers. It is a automotive constructed with a goal in thoughts, and that goal isn’t practicality.
I’ve been following Vinracer for round a decade since I noticed Robert Brown’s first automotive – a 1963 ½ Ford Falcon Dash modified in the identical type – on the unique Irvine Vehicles & Espresso (RIP). That automotive has lived rent-free in my mind ever since, and if I all of the sudden got here into $70,000 that I may spend on a automotive, Vinracer could be my first name. Possibly now it’ll be yours too.
