The country's top award for a performance-based Street Machine was presented to North Lake, Wisconsin's Erv Roller on July 12 at the Goodguys 11th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Woller's '69 Camaro, known as Razor, was built by the Ring Bros. of Spring Green, Wisconsin, the same team that produced last year's Street Machine of the Year winner. That's the first time in the 14-year history of the award that the same build team produced the winning car in consecutive seasons.
Featuring a two-tone gray and orange design, Hunter leather interior, carbon-fiber hood and decklid, a Detroit Speed & Engineering Quadra Link suspension, and one-off custom Budnik wheels, Woller's Camaro exudes class and ingenuity. Both Mike and Jim Ring, known for their ability to design and fabricate parts from carbon fiber as well as their finesse in body and paint applications, completely repainted Razor during a 96-hour period over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The car debuted June 27 at a Goodguys event in Nashville and when the car hit the sunlight, they saw some flaws they knew would not serve the car well in Columbus-the biggest stage there is for Street Machines. "It was a painful decision," said Jim. "Mike and I were at each other's throats and our wives may never talk to us again. It had to be done. You build a car like this for this event and this award. It means everything."
Woller expressed his gratitude for all the hard work of the build team. "When you embark on a project like this, you become family with everyone involved in the car. It's a project that takes a lot of resources and countless hours. I couldn't be prouder."
Part of this year's award criteria mandated that all eligible vehicles take part in a demanding three-lap autocross. Woller strapped himself into Razor and cranked out three very impressive lap times with a best of 18.466 for the 1,000-foot course.
In the end, the Razor defeated the largest field of contenders ever (28 cars) for the Street Machine of the Year crown.
The top 5 finalists for this year's award included Kevin Alstott ('68 Camaro), Gary Abraham ('70 Nova), Woller's Razor, Jeff Hanson ('69 Camaro), and James McLeod ('69 Camaro Convertible).
Tech Specs
Razor '69 Camaro, Erv Woller - North Lake, Wisconsin
Overall Fabrication & Construction: Ring Bros. - Spring Green, WI
Design Concept: Sean Smith, SS Design
Interior and Design: Upholstery Unlimited (Steve Pearson)
Carbon-Fiber Body Components: Hood, decklid, rear bumper, brake duct air intakes - all custom fab by Ring Bros.Machined Parts: Custom-machined taillight bezels, rear fuel filler, shifter plate, gauge bezels, ignition switch plates, hood hinges, wheel house vents by Ring Bros.
Engine: GM Performance all-aluminum ZL1 big-block, 454-cid
Transmission: Viper T56
Front: Detroit Speed Hydraformed subframe
Rear: Detroit Speed Quadra Link
Paint: BASF RM line (Mineral Gray and other custom blends)
Wheels & Tires: custom one-off Budniks, 18x10 front, 19x12 rear, Goodyear tires
Gauges: Custom one-off by Classic Instruments
Exhaust: Flowmaster Super 44s