Vinracer’s Plymouth GTX Saloon Racer Is Lengthy, Black And Imply As Hell

Modifying traditional automobiles is a multi-billion dollar industry, and whereas the attainable permutations for what the perfect modded traditional may seem like could appear infinite, I’m right here to inform you that, actually, there may be one proper reply, and it’s “traditional American muscle automobile modified to period-correct SCCA or saloon automobile racing guidelines by a man in his driveway doing one automobile a yr.” Need proof? Fantastic, I’ll provide you with proof. Right here’s the Vinracer (to not be confused with Vinfast) Plymouth GTX in all its huge black, huge block glory.

Okay, so now that you just’re all good and riled up, let’s discuss what the Vinracer GTX truly 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 steerage 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 guide, 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 an alternative are coilover shocks, entrance and rear. The automobile’s physique has been bolstered significantly with a 12-point full roll cage that ties into the entrance clip, and whereas it’s unlikely that the massive Plymouth will deal with like a Lotus, it ought to nonetheless be good. The brakes come from Wilwood and are lined by some candy 17-inch Hallibrand-style knock-off wheels wrapped in Firestone cop automobile 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 all the pieces up. The aluminum entrance chin spoiler and rear ducktail spoiler have been each made in-house by Brown as effectively. The grille is fairly normal apart from the consumption ducts that substitute the high-beam bulbs, ala a contemporary Hellcat. Nevertheless, the piece de resistance for the physique must 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 on., stay on an aircraft-style swap 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 aren’t any home windows that totally shut, no exterior door handles and no windshield wipers. This can be a automobile constructed with a function in thoughts, and that function isn’t practicality.

I’ve been following Vinracer for round a decade since I noticed Robert Brown’s first automobile – a 1963 ½ Ford Falcon Sprint modified in the same style – on the unique Irvine Vehicles & Espresso (RIP). That automobile has lived rent-free in my mind ever since, and if I immediately got here into $70,000 that I may spend on a automobile, Vinracer can be my first name. Possibly now it’ll be yours too.