Modifying basic vehicles is a multi-billion greenback business, and whereas the attainable permutations for what the perfect modded basic might seem like could appear limitless, I’m right here to inform you that, in reality, there may be one proper reply, and it’s “basic American muscle automotive modified to period-correct SCCA or saloon automotive racing guidelines by a man in his driveway doing one automotive a 12 months.” Need proof? Tremendous, I’ll provide you with proof. Right here’s the Vinracer (to not be confused with Vinfast) Plymouth GTX in all its large black, large block glory.

Okay, so now that you simply’re all good and riled up, let’s discuss what the Vinracer GTX really 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 steering from the 1966 SCCA rulebook. The powertrain is a 440 Mopar, however now it’s working tremendous stealth Holley Sniper throttle physique injection for an output of round 650 hp, and as an alternative of a four-speed handbook, it’s now received a five-speed Tremec TKO. The rear finish is a 9-inch from Moser with a restricted slip and gearing that will theoretically let it hit 185 mph.

The chassis additionally received a bunch of sneaky modifications. For instance, the torsion bar and leaf spring suspension is gone, and as a replacement 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 reducing a slit within the entrance and rear fenders, then utilizing a buck to flare them out. Patches have been welded in to shut the whole lot up. The aluminum entrance chin spoiler and rear ducktail spoiler have been each made in-house by Brown as properly. The grille is fairly customary aside from the consumption ducts that change the high-beam bulbs, ala a contemporary Hellcat. Nonetheless, 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 seem like they got here proper out of a ‘60s Le Mans racer. There are not 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 fashion – on the authentic Irvine Vehicles & Espresso (RIP). That automotive has lived rent-free in my mind ever since, and if I all of a sudden got here into $70,000 that I might spend on a automotive, Vinracer can be my first name. Possibly now it’ll be yours too.