Text and Rendering by Tavis Highlander

he crew at Bratt Brothers Custom Cars & Trucks is bringing back some heavy ’80s nostalgia with their G-body Monte Carlo SS spec-built lineup. Keeping that nostalgic feeling is important, so the body will remain stock-appearing and will feature factory-inspired paint schemes. Where the car will vary from stock is evident from the stance and wheel/tire package. Modern suspension components will have the Monte carving corners and looking good while standing still. Forgeline DE3C wheels give the exterior an updated look while providing clearance for big brakes.

oing fast comes down to a simple mathematical equation. When translated into automotive lingo, one part of that formula usually means that a reduction in weight will have a comparable reduction in the force required to accelerate or decelerate. For acceleration you add in additional horsepower, however, the way to get that balance usually means that at some point you need to introduce some weight reduction and start hacking away on a car.

What happens when you have a car that you don’t want to cut up? In Jim Dissenger’s case, you buy one that is very similar. He explains, “In 1968, while serving in the Air Force, I bought a nice ’63 Chevy II SS with the hopes of installing a V-8 in the future. A couple of years after my discharge, I built a 327 and got a Muncie four-speed and installed them in the car. It was pretty fast on the street, and I soon started to drag race it.” He further adds, “By 1975 I was dipping into the 11s with it and at that point it was time for a rollbar, subframe connectors, and bigger tires than the stock wheelwells would accommodate.”

ave Richardson loved his ’62 Impala SS. It was a turquoise beauty with a hefty 409 underhood and a four-speed shifter ready at his command. “One day a guy chased me down. He had seen the car out and about and wanted to know if it was for sale,” Dave tells. “Now, I was semi-attached to the car but for the right number I was willing to let it go.”

The guys met up at Dave’s place in Oakland, New Jersey, so the eager potential buyer could have an up-close look-see of the Chevy. “After a brief walk-around he asked to drive it. He got behind the wheel and let loose. By the time the car was in Second gear he blurted out ‘I gotta have it!’ and made me an offer. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse!”

hese days teenagers spend more time staring at screens than wrenching on cars. That wasn’t the case back in the ’60s and ’70s for the obvious reason that cell phones didn’t exist and “social media” meant connecting with someone who actually worked in the media. Back in the day it was common for teenagers to work at a service station pumping gas, fixing flats, rotating tires, doing oil changes, and performing other basic maintenance duties. And if you worked at a station long enough, it’s likely one of the lead mechanics would show you the ropes to more complex jobs and develop some useful mechanical skills working on cars.

Decades ago, Ray Masi was one of those kids. He got his feet wet working at multiple gas stations and doing some wrenching, which led to modifying and customizing cars with his friends. Early on Ray was building and driving early Ford street rods–usually flathead powered.

BY Scotty Lachenauer Photography by THE AUTHOR

eff Harnish always knew what he liked. Over the course of his years that were infected with a bad case of automotive infatuation, the Manheim, Pennsylvania, native never let fads or trends sway him in one direction or another when contemplating a new build. That’s one of the reasons why we salute him today, for without the foresight to see his vision through to the end we wouldn’t be here generously gawking over his sweet, Day Two ’67 Camaro.

Yes, though Day Two rides are super-Nova-hot these days, it wasn’t always that way. It’s interesting to note that this car was built over 30 years ago, during the heyday of wheeltubs, DayGlo paint, and cars with engine parts sticking through the hood. “This Camaro was a complete 180 from the trends, which is fine with me,” Jeff states. “It turned out to be an anomaly of the day, and that’s why it’s stood the test of time.”