Midway through the 1966 season, a Hilborn-injected 427ci big-block running on a heavy load of nitromethane entered the equation. The first notation of the 427 power is a flyer for a match race in September 1966 and it is believed that the car ran in this configuration until the offseason. So, for three months, the car had a nitro-injected 427 and the Tiger II paintjob. Around this time is also when the B-pillars were removed, and the magnesium spindle mount wheels were added to the front for even more weight savings. The big-block configuration was estimated at only 1,800 pounds and the car ran a best of 9.08 at 165 mph in this configuration.

Changes happened again in 1967, as the Esso sponsorship ended. The car got yet another new identity. This time, a color change was in order, going from gold metalflake to blue with the name “Blitzer” on the side. By 1967, the flip-top Funny Cars began their campaign, immediately sending the early altered wheelbase cars into lesser classes like B/Altered or into the scrap pile. In an effort to keep up with the big guys, Adcock installed a blown and injected big-block Chevy, but the combination was banned by the NHRA and he sold the engine to Dave McClelland. From there, Adcock sold the car, and it is unknown who bought it, but we do know that it landed in Alabama a few years later. J.C. Sizemore bought it and ran it as a match race companion to his famous altered wheelbase “Golden Rod” ’55 Chevy match racer. The car was last raced in 1973 by Jerry Rhodes and renamed “Funny Money.”

So, how did Dave Giles, a hot rodder and drag racer from East Tennessee, run across this car? It was 2005, and a coworker brought in a clipping from an automotive trader newspaper that had a photo of vintage racing wheels and a short description. Dave called the number and headed to Alabama the next morning with a pocket full of cash and hopes of scoring some Halibrands. As he made his selections, he found a pair of early style magnesium spindle-mount Americans, so he asked the owner, “Where’s the rest of the Funny Car?” To his surprise, the fellow knew where it was and actually took him there. It was a bumpy process but Dave ultimately bought the rotted hulk of a car and brought it back to Tennessee, not knowing its history or its significance.

Amazingly, Dave was able to salvage many of the original parts during the restoration. The only fiberglass component that he had to replace was the hood. Many hours were spent on the body to bring it back to life and Jesse Welch at Trickpaint & Custom applied the custom-mixed metalflake and also did the hand lettering. Of course, Dave restored and installed those original spindle-mount wheels that started this whole process and went with black steel wheels and vintage M&H 820-15 slicks out back. The interior is sparce, but that’s how it was in 1966.

Dave put the finishing touches on the car in the fall of 2023, but he still loves to research its history and imagine what it must’ve been like to experience the fast-paced world of Funny Car racing in the mid ’60s. His Chevelle is a founding father of Funny Cars, and it deserved every ounce of effort he poured into it.