Ray selected a ’72 vintage small-block Chevy, bored 0.040 inch over to give a displacement of 358 ci, with all machine work and assembly by Ashway Performance Engineering. A Scat crank, I-beam rods, Ross pistons, and a COMP Mother Thumpr cam make up the reciprocating assembly, topped with Brodix aluminum heads and an Offy 2x4 manifold, with a pair of Edelbrock 500-cfm carbs. Cal Custom valve covers and air cleaner provide dress-up with L’il John Buttera accessory brackets. Custom stainless headers feed a 3-inch stainless system incorporating Sprint Car mufflers. A Tremec five-speed, modified for a mid shifter, receives the power through a lightweight Corvette flywheel and Hayes clutch, sending it on to a Winters V-8 quick-change with 31-spline axles and 9-inch Ford brakes. A chromed Panhard bar and four-link keep the rearend in check, with a Model A spring and Pete & Jakes shocks handling suspension duties.
With the exception of the Rootlieb hood and Vintique grille shell, this coupe is all original steel, owner-chopped by 2 1/2 inches, and filled with 532 louvers. A 16-gallon Vintique gas tank brings up the rear, with all plumbing in stainless steel. The ’34 commercial headlights point the way at night, with ’37 rears flanking the gas tank. Brian Stitts at BS Creations got the nod to perform the body and paintwork, using PPG Ohio Red for the body, chassis, grille insert, and the artillery wheels.
Plymouth artillery wheels, 17x4 and 18x4, with 5-inch Excelsior and 7-inch Firestone rubber respectively, adorn the car in our pictures, though Ray also has a set of 15x4 Halibrands with 165 Michelins and 16x10 ET IIIs with 16x11 Firestone Double Diamond tires for when he feels the coupe needs a more aggressive look.
A smooth steel Bob Drake repro dash filled with Classic Instruments gauges is in Ray’s line of sight behind the Bell three-spoke wheel on a Lime Works column when he’s driving. Fred Cariello covered the interior panels and Krist Kustom seat in bone-colored leather with matching Mercedes carpet, while a Painless harness ensures trouble-free electrics. Air conditioning is provided by the stock cowl vent and opening windshield.