When Todd Haas set a Bonneville record in 2004 with his Ecotec-powered '34 roadster, built by SO-CAL Speed Shop, his push car and tow vehicle was a '57 Chevy 150. Since then, the humble sedan has been getting its share of attention from SO-CAL. Jimmy Shine is working with Haas to turn the '57-originally built by Haas' father-into a '60s-style street Gasser.
John Beck at Pro Machines built the 406-horse 327 with 1.94 heads, running an old Edelbrock X1 manifold with six 94s (rebuilt by C&J Engineering), hooked to a Shine-built progressive linkage. Abe Rodriguez finished the body in Mooneyham and Sharp 554 metallic blue.
Shine, in the meantime, has been putting together the chassis. The 'rails have been reworked with a brand-new frontend, and every part has been imaginatively created. It's a combination of new and old, street and strip, function and style.
When it's done, Haas will have a true dual-purpose hot rod: a street cruiser to enjoy with his family, and a go-fast pounder capable of holding its own between the starting line and finish line. Best of all, the up-to-date engineering does not at all dilute the period character of the car, which comes right out of the best years of the Gasser Wars.
It's kind of a shame that this good-looking Gasser chassis will get covered up by the body. On the other hand, we can't wait to see this Chevy out on the street or on the dragstrip. "This car should easily run low- to mid-12s," Jimmy speculates, "but it's not built to be highly competitive. It's going to be a tire smoker-hopefully get the front wheels up in the air a little bit and put on a show. This car is about fun!"