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| For those unaware, every fall Dan Jensen and Bob
Boden stage the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Races in Stanton, Michigan. We attended the 1998 event and ran a story about the happenings in the Winter ‘99 issue of Restoration Review. The rules for the race are relatively simple: The car must look and sound stock. Engines must maintain all the OEM equipment, i.e. stock intake, carb, heads, exhaust manifolds, camshaft, etc. No traction devices are allowed with one exception, manual trans cars can use an airbag on the right rear. Original size tires must be used. If the car originally came with F-70-14s, that’s what has to be used. Repro bias ply or aftermarket radials (except “specials” like drag radials) are legal, as long as the size is proper. A maximum exhaust diameter of 2.5” is legal. We had so much fun covering the event last year that Phil Brewer, our Art Director, and his father, also Phil Brewer (yeah, it gets confusing around the shop), decided to build a Nova to compete in the event this year. Phil (the elder) owns Brewer Restoration and Performance (770-751-0687), and the car is being prepared for the event at his shop. |
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1968 Nova SS 396 cu in engine L89 aluminum head option Grotto blue Turbo 400 Transmission Complete frame off restoration Owner: Phil Brewer email:philb@yearone.com |
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The car is a 1968 SS396 Nova, 375-horse 396 with the very rare L-89 aluminum head option. The manual steering, manual drum brakes, roll-up windows, are all typical hot-rod Nova fare. It’s Grotto blue, with a medium blue bucket seat interior and black vinyl top. |
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A frenzied, 6-month body-off restoration is being completed as this is written in late August, and tuning will commence very soon. With this year’s event being slated for September 11, the Brewer’s will have only a couple of weeks to get rid of all the new car bugs, and try to get the car tuned properly for racing. As you might imagine, such limited rules mean everything has to be spot-on to get the best time out of the car. Last year’s winner was running 12.70s @ 108 mph, so Phil and Phil face an uphill battle. |
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Although this little Chevy II isn’t an official Year One entry, quite a few Year One employees have helped on the project. Most of us here believe muscle car owners should drive and enjoy their cars, and this project certainly reflects this attitude. |
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Look for a “Competitor’s Viewpoint” in an upcoming issue of Restoration Review Online. Until then, enjoy the photos of the car going together. |
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