Referred to by the commentator at the track as ‘The loudest car ever’ the ’66 Chevelle looks, sounds and goes like something that’s out of this world.
How fast can a classic car be? At least as fast as this ’66 Chevrolet Chevelle, which is impressive in all senses of the word.
It’s mostly the work of one Craig Shefchik, and today it gets featured on Race Your Ride on YouTube so that others may see – and hear the awesome build. The ‘Bitchin’ Chevelle is white and almost featureless, but you can still tell what classic nameplate it’s based on.
Only a year or so old, the performance car has gone on to become way more powerful than the designers of the original Chevelle could ever have imagined – here are the details.
‘Bitchin’ ’66 Chevelle Drag Car Creates A Show At Byron Dragway
Part of the eeriness of the drag racer comes from its blank look, the front is devoid of any trim, grille or other colors, and the sides are similarly clean-looking.
There’s a hole for the ProCharger in the low bumper which hints at the car’s potential. Under the hood and connected to that supercharger is the 9.2-liter ‘AJPE’ (Alan Johnson-based) aluminum V8 built by Fowler Engines in Ohio, making 3300 hp.
Other details include a Fuel Tech EFI system and many other parts including an intriguing part called a ‘Frankenstein billet intake’ – perhaps it’s that part that gives the car its scary sound.
Craig is responsible for the chassis, bodywork and electronics and fuel system, and Sandra Shefchik is also in attendance down at Byron Dragway for the car’s last-chance qualifying test for the Top Dog racing series.
How Much Is A Classic ’66 Chevy Chevelle In 2023?Via: YouTube via Race Your Ride
We can hear the commentator as Craig’s ProCharger-equipped Chevelle prowls onto the drag way, saying that it is one of the loudest cars they have had on the property.
It performs the traditional burnout and lines up for the first eighth-mile pass, which is does in style, with a 4:42 time at 176 mph, while the second time it manages a 5:15 at 156 mph, due to it having a small issue on the way down and kicking out a bit.
On the second pass it goes against a black Chevy Camaro SS which manages a 4:96 at 117 mph. This ’66 Chevy Chevelle build has a lot of potential and considering the many hours of work and all the components it would be difficult to guess its value; but a classic Chevelle is easier to put a number on.
According to Hagerty, a 4.6-liter 1966 Chevy Chevelle has a value of only $10,000. Classic.com suggests the ’66 Chevelle is worth an average of $54,000 which includes more desirable models like the SS-396.