By JEFF HUNEYCUTT Photography by THE AUTHOR

ou’ve probably seen the memes on social media that show a ludicrously gigantic, locomotive-sized blower or turbo mounted up to an engine on some car with a caption that reads something like, “After a week, John decides he needs more power.”

And it’s funny because, by and large, it’s true.

By Ryan Manson Photography by The Author

hen it comes to upgrading and modernizing a classic Chevy, one of the most popular modifications would have to be the addition of a power steering system. An option that’s as old as the automobile, traditional power steering assist didn’t really become a standard option until the early ’60s as technology and vehicle size collided. Premium lines like Lincoln, Cadillac, and Chrysler had offered power steering systems for decades, before the Big Three started offering the option as standard in the lesser, more affordable lines. By the ’70s, steering wheel sizes had decreased and power steering had become almost standard fare.

xceeding the four-digit horsepower mark is not an easy task and comes with a feeling of accomplishment that only a small percentage of auto enthusiasts can relate to. However, there is a way to experience that joy by following through with one single shortcut: Installing GM’s ZZ632/Deluxe 1000 straight out of the crate is all you have to do to outfit your vehicle with a whopping 1,000 hp. This thing is a beast, and it is in fact GM’s most powerful crate engine to date. The 632ci 10.3L big-block behemoth is every gearhead’s dream, and the Hoonigan team was able to lay hands on the very first one outside of GM.

By Jason Lubken Photography by The Author

tance is everything. It’s a tricky subject, too. Suspension isn’t easy on your knuckles and if you get it wrong it’ll drain the bank fast. After you finally dial in your ride height the wheel/tire combo has to jive, too. The right wheel tucked inside the fender with a safe amount of clearance is like fine art.

The nice part is a quick disc brake conversion is small potatoes compared to what most pros have to do. You can expect a fully custom-designed car to sit on a surgically precise wheel and tire package—you even see custom wheeltubs, one-off wheels, you name it. You won’t always get the perfect backspace option on a mass-produced wheel. That’s where Classic Performance Products’ (CPP) minimum offset kit comes in clutch.

By Jeff Smith Photography by The Author

n the real world, things sometimes just go terribly wrong. Like when the engine that you so carefully assembled rewards you by pushing shrapnel pieces out through the oil pan. If there is a silver lining to the dark cloud of oil that just shot out the exhaust, it would be that we learn more from our mistakes and miscues than from success. This episode was not our first exploded engine learning moment and most assuredly won’t be our last.

he ’60s marked an important time in drag racing history, as the “gasser wars” raged at backwoods dragstrips, national events, and match races across the country. Enthusiastic youngsters ran to the fence to watch their local heroes blast down the track. Back then, track prep was non-existent and race tire manufacturers hadn’t perfected compounds or sidewall construction, so the cars were unpredictable. As the years went on, drag cars became more civilized and much faster, but through the process, they lost the excitement that brought people to their feet. Now, more than 50 years later, the Southeast Gassers Association is bringing excitement back to drag racing with old-school, heads-up action.