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There's Something About Spectre Performance-Sponsored Driver Mary Pozzi

Mary Pozzi with camera in hand having conversation with fellow photographer

Not just a gifted driver, Pozzi is quite the photographer too.

Always a smile on her face, this native Californian and Spectre Performance-sponsored driver, Mary Pozzi, is most assuredly NOT your average gal. In fact, she has 12 national titles to her name and can wheel a car like nobody’s business. Mary grew up behind the gates in Rolling Hills, an affluent neighborhood in the Palos Verdes. An only child whose mother and father were both doctors. But she didn’t live a charmed life. You might say her drive came from her early experiences as her father wasn't the easy-peasy, push over type of parent and failure was not an option. However, her nurturing mother was there to encourage and remind her to always keep moving forward. They were driven and so must she be.

She was in her late teens when she took her first shop class and discovered then that she absolutely loved cars. She never dreamed that this one class would expose her to so many different opportunities in the automotive industry. Nor did she have any idea that this passion would evolve into a life-long career.

Mary Pozzi, with mic in hand, announcing an SCCA Event.

Mary, announcing for an SCCA event, learns through volunteering wherever she can!

She’s proud of the fact that she learned at an early age to pick herself up by the bootstraps. She’s never been formally educated but has more knowledge than plenty of folks with their BS in some boring field of study! She’s intelligent, decisive, and extraordinarily articulate. Not surprising, these qualities make for an excellent student and teacher. She’s worked as an EKG Technician and even practiced in a lab as a phlebotomist. But for Mary, cars are her real passion.

When you have a chance to sit down and talk to Mary about her work, her eyes get a little glint of excitement as she shares with you about her day to day real life and the investigations she heads involving vehicles, theft and recovery, damage and determining the cause of accidents. She’s an automotive CSI of sorts and her detective work always yields a truthful outcome. She is meticulous and detailed in her approach. Perhaps that’s why she is so good at what she does. Whether at work or on the track, Mary works hard at being her best.

Mary Pozzi's first real race car a Datsun 240Z with 300HP

Pozzi’s first real racer, her 2.8L, 300HP Datsun 240Z. She won 2 National Solo Titles in this car!

Mary Pozzi started autocrossing back in 1976 with a 2.0 liter Capri, some worn tires, and a sort-of boyfriend that had been involved with SCCA and local events. The guy didn’t last but her love affair with dodging cones sure did.

Before long she ditched the Capri for a stock Datsun 240Z that quickly moved up the levels of prep and was eventually taken off the street completely. This car helped Pozzi win two SCCA National Solo titles for her in A Prepared Ladies class (1980-81). In 1982 the 240Z was sidelined due to some engine issues when a friend offered her to race his 1965 Ford Mustang that had been cloned as a Shelby GT350. She ran this car in C Prepared and took home two more victories in 1982 and 1983. As luck would have it another friend offered his “real-deal” AC Cobra for A Prepared, which Mary describes as not for the faint of heart, or arms! This car had no power steering and came equipped with Goodyear slicks. Almost impossible for her to drive, she came up with a plan to increase the front tire pressures almost double the rears. In doing so she would be right on point with her male counterparts and their lap times! Another SCCA Championship in A Prepared Ladies was her result!

Mary featured with a middle schooler handling a bike repair.

Giving back is the name of the game according to Pozzi.

In 1986, Mary tried a front-wheel drive or as she lovingly refers to it, “wrong wheel drive,” when she had a moment of insanity and purchased a Dodge Omni GLH-Turbo. Clearly not her favorite car for various reasons. But she made the trek to Nationals having owned the car for about a month and with only two events under her belt, Mary “freaking” Pozzi still managed to eek out another championship! 1987 gave way to what she calls the Camaro years where she would win three more National titles in several third-gens in F Stock Ladies class.

Mary left autocrossing completely in late 1990 and changed direction to focus on equestrian competitions. A slow learner (wink wink), Mary discovered over the course of fifteen years, that in order to make a million dollars with horses, she would need to have TWO million. So in 2005 she sold the horses and would once again return to cars.

Mary featured here with friends on mountain bikes on a Salinas trail.

Mary’s an avid mountain biker. Here with friends in the rolling hills of Salinas, California.

She had no aspirations of returning to autocrossing seriously in 2006 and ran a couple local events just for fun. She’d bought a 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS as a daily driver and decided to play around with that. However, in stock trim, a fourth-gen really blows in handling and braking, according to Mary. In 2002 she had also bought a 1973 Camaro Rally Sport that she was finally getting somewhere with. Her first “real” event in the 1973 Camaro was an SCCA National Tour which put her in C Prepared due to the modifications with suspension and drivetrain. She was up against a former National Champion in a highly modified fourth-gen V6 that was about 1,000 lbs. lighter than her small-tired and underpowered Camaro. Yet she managed to win by a hair.

It would seem that Mary Pozzi has all the right stuff when it comes to racing. From talent to the car setup, this is one driver that knows what it takes and what she needs to be competitive. She is the real deal. She preps her own car and handles the maintenance as well. Whether Mary needs help installing a clutch, or just needs a pre-race pep talk, husband, David, also an accomplished racer, is typically on hand to help with the big stuff or even the smallest details.

Mary at the autocross start line at 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

At the autocross start line during the 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

In 2008, Mary made suspension mods, changing shocks and the front bar on the SS and took it to the Nationals Tour to run in F Stock Open, where once again she won. As she contemplated heading to Nationals she noted that the winning car would clearly be an S197 Shelby GT she’s seen before, so she went out and bought one! She ran a couple local events then headed to Nationals and won the FSL class. After she returned home she sold the car. It was clearly time for a change of pace.

That change of pace she longed for came in 2009 when she heard about Good Guys, Bill Howell’s Run to the Coast events and of course the big show, The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. For a short time, her Camaro was perfect for these events and she did well. She met some wonderful people during these years and have seen these events go from small time and casual, to extreme complete with paparazzi and TV Crews. Having cut her teeth in Pro Solo, she was thrilled when SCCA introduced the CAM, Classic American Muscle, class as her 1973 Camaro was exactly what the rule book wanted. At Nationals in 2015 she became the fourth woman to become Champion in an Open Class winning CAM-T (no powder puff class here). It came down to one final run with her closest competitor, Al Unser Jr. who was on course simultaneously and learned of her winning time before she did. She recalls how amazing she felt getting back to grid, worried if she’d hit a cone, but the chips stacked in her favor affording her yet another nationals title!

Mary, ahead of her friends and fellow competitors out on the go kart track.

Whether horses or horsepower, bikes or carts, her winning attitude keeps her ahead of the crowd!

Whether Mary is behind the wheel of her Inferno Orange “Best Car in the World” Camaro or hitting the trails on her mountain bike, she gives it her all. She is driven to succeed and driven to give back to the community she has so much passion for. She learned early on that “paying it forward” made life better always, in all ways. Whether riding shotgun in a fellow participants car, or providing feedback and assistance to a relative newcomer, Mary never takes for granted all of the opportunities to learn and grow she’s been given throughout her career. She firmly believes that she could never have made it this far in the Camaro without help from the aftermarket industry. She credits Spectre Performance, Baer Brakes, RideTech Shocks, Art Morrison Enterprises, Lingenfelter Engines, BFGoodrich Tires, Centerforce Clutches, Forgeline Wheels, Marquez Design, Anvil Auto, Strange Engineering, and JCG Restoration, stating that each company had their own special ingredient and her car is only as good as the sum of its parts, and that those parts are the absolute best.

At the final qualifying installment of Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car challenge, Mary Pozzi once again, made the final cut and won yet another coveted invite to OUSCI, proving like so many times before that there really is "Something About Mary!"

1973 Inferno Orange Camaro RS Specs:

POWER: LINGENFELTER LS7

TRANSMISSION: Tremec T56 Magnum

FINAL DRIVE: STRANGE BUILT Dana 60

SUSPENSION: Art Morrison Enterprise front subframe with independent rear suspension

SHOCKS: RideTech triple adjustable coilovers

WHEELS: Forgeline GA3’s

TIRES: BFGoodrich Rival S

BRAKES: Baer 14” rotors with 6R calipers

BODY PANELS: Anvil Auto

CLUTCH: Centerforce Dyad

BODY TRIM & LIGHTING: Marquez Design

INTAKE: Spectre Performance

PAINT & BODY: JCG Restoration & Customs

Mary Pozzi and Optima Series Race Director, Jimi Day, as he presents her with the OUSCI Invite

Mary Pozzi with Optima Series Race Director Jimi Day presenting her a coveted invite to OUSCI

Mary Pozzi's Inferno Orange '73 Camaro in the video game Gran Turismo 6

Pozzi’s 1973 Camaro was featured in the ultra popular video game Gran Turismo 6.

Mary Pozzi in her Inferno Orange '73 Camaro on Spring Mountain Road Course during 2011 OUSCI

Out on the road course at Spring Mountain pushing her 1973 Camaro to the limit during the 2011 OUSCI

Husband David Pozzi seen coaching Mary as she sits in the driver's seat.

Husband and veteran racer, David Pozzi, giving our gal a pre-race prep talk.

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Give Your Little Jeep Patriot or Jeep Compass Big Power with a Spectre Air Intake

Spectre intake system for Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass

Spectre 9053 cold air intake system for the 2011-2016 Jeep Patriot and 2011-2016 Jeep Compass

Jeeps used to be hardcore trucks that were designed to survive in hardcore environments. But times have changed and little trucks like the 2011-2016 Jeep Patriot and 2011-2016 Jeep Compass prove that Jeep has kept up. Unlike Jeeps of old, these SUVs are designed to be nice, and they can be fitted with creature comforts like heated seats, soft touch-points, and touchscreen infotainment. Front-wheel drive is standard issue. But Trail Rated models have no problem tackling the backcountry, thanks to features like an elevated suspension, skid plates, and two very capable 4x4 systems. Motivation is supplied by a pair of peppy 4-cylinder engines (2.0L & 2.4L) that have just enough grunt to get you through the rough stuff, while still returning decent fuel economy numbers. You can however, increase the horsepower and torque in your Jeep 4cyl, by simply installing a Spectre 9053 cold air intake system.

Like all gas-powered vehicles, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot drag themselves down the road by injecting air and fuel into the cylinders, then igniting the mixture with a spark plug. The air is a key component, because without it the fuel couldn't burn. To make the fuel burn hotter and release more energy/horsepower, you've got to reduce the temperature of the air going into the cylinders. Cold air has more oxygen molecules than warm air, so adding a Spectre 9053 cold air intake system will enable the Jeep 2.0L & Jeep 2.4L to produce more horsepower and torque.

Spectre 9053 intake system installed on Jeep Compass 2.4L

Spectre 9053 cold air intake system installed on Jeep Compass 2.4L

The stock Jeep intake actually restricts airflow by forcing air to travel through a thick paper air filter and a narrow, uneven intake tube. Those restrictions also cause the air to heat up and loose some of its potency. A Spectre 9053 cold air intake system on the other hand, eliminates some of these restrictions by utilizing a wide-diameter aluminum intake tube that's been mandrel bent to provide a more direct airflow path. And to get more air into the system, an oversized Spectre HPR air filter is positioned behind a ruggedized heat shield so it can collect a higher volume of air than the stock air box, while preventing hot engine bay air from entering the system. The oiled synthetic air filter uses a depth-load design to remove significantly more contaminates than a paper filter. It's also reusable, and the depth loading material stores dirt deep within the filter, which means less airflow restriction as dirt builds.

Unlike many cold air systems, the Spectre 9053 doesn't require any underhood modifications or ECU reprogramming. The entire system can be installed in about 90 minutes, and it even has fittings for the factory sensors.

Features & Benefits of the Spectre 9053 Cold Air Intake System

    Spectre 9053 intake system installed on Jeep Compass 2.4L

    The Spectre 9053 cold air intake will increase horsepower and torque on the Jeep 2.0L and Jeep 2.4L

  • Developed exclusively for the 2011-2016 Jeep Patriot and 2011-2016 Jeep Compass
  • Increases horsepower & torque
  • Boosts engine airflow
  • Provides quicker throttle response
  • Improves engine note
  • Polished aluminum intake tube virtually eliminates airflow restrictions
  • Reusable synthetic Spectre HPR performance air filter removes 97-99% of air contaminants
  • Replaces the entire stock air intake system
  • No underhood modifications or ECU programming required
  • Plumbed for factory sensors
  • Installation takes about 90 minutes using simple hand tools

The Spectre Performance 9053 fits the following vehicles:

2016 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 JEEP PATRIOT 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 JEEP PATRIOT 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 JEEP COMPASS 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 JEEP COMPASS 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

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SEMA Show Day 1: Mobile Electronics and Outside

Mothers booth with custom Ford Thunderbird with 5.0L Coyote motor

The Mothers booth features this absolutely gorgeous 1958 Ford Thunderbird with a 5.0L Coyote motor

If you are a car fanatic, you have heard of the SEMA show. The annual event is held at the beginning of November in Las Vegas, Nevada. The time has come once again for the Las Vegas Convention Center to fill to the brim with the best cars from around the nation.

We are out here all week and will be bringing you live coverage of the event both on our social media outlets and on our website. Today we will begin by browsing the vehicles outside and we will take a trip through the mobile electronics and accessories hall. Be sure to come back each day for more coverage from the 2016 SEMA show.

1958 Ford Thunderbird engine bay

We weren't joking about the 5.0L Coyote in the Ford Thunderbird. And check out that Spectre filter!

Brandy Morrow Chevy C10R

Spectre-sponsored Brandy Morrow's C10R was on display in Optima Alley

Vortec motor with electric helper motor

Can you guess what this Vortec motor with electric helper motor is in?

Custom off-road ready Ford Bronco

This Bronco is set up for some serious off-roading. Would you take it on the trails?

Custom Challenger Hellcat with Spectre underhood accessories

Spectre brought out this Challenger Hellcat to showcasetheir new line of underhood accessories

Custom hand drawn cartoons in bed of Chevy Silverado

Chad Can't Color Customs is responsible for the hand drawn cartoons in the bed of his Silverado

Greg Thurmond 1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Greg Thurmond's 1965 Corvette was found in Optima Alley along with numerous other pro-touring cars

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NMCA West Finals with the Hotchkis Cup Winners Revealed

Event and Vendor banners at Autoclub Speedway, adjacent the sound wall.

The rain held out this past weekend at the NMCA West Finals that took place at Autoclub Speedway

The final round of the 2016 NMCA West Hotchkis Cup Autocross Finals and Championship came and went. Racers congregated in Fontana, California once again at the famed Auto Club Speedway Track. Just one week prior many of these racers were here taking part in the final qualifier for Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Challenge in a last ditch effort to make their way to OUSCI, Optima’s Ultimate Street Car Invitational. It’s been a very busy few weeks for our drivers.

The coveted Hotchkis Cup in the chase for its fourth year and it was anybody’s guess just who would be taking home the golden chalice. The weather man called for rain but the racing gods won out and crew and driver’s all enjoyed an incredible Southern California weekend.

Drivers staging at start line on course, with officials nearby for timing.

Driver's ready and raring to go at the NMCA West Hotchkis Cup Autocross start line.

A great track, laid out by the Racing Byrds, was big and fast and challenged horsepower and braking points. Needless to say we did see a few folks getting loose and swapping ends, with some folks reaching speeds of close to 70 miles per hour on the long straight. Most competitors were in the mid to high 30 second range with lap times. There were more than 60 drivers participating in five different classes: Compact, Modern Muscle, Classic Muscle, Sports Car, and Truck. Even with a field of that size, each driver saw ten runs on Saturday with twelve on Sunday. The Racing Byrds really know how to keep the ball rolling at their events.

Spectre Driver, Greg Thurmond, his '65 Corvette out on the autocross at Autoclub Speedway

Spectre Driver, Greg Thurmond on course with SCAR, the '65 Candy Tangerine Corvette

During the lunch break on Saturday a few of the event sponsors, Jordan Priestly (JDP Motorsports), Mike Hamrick (Wilwood Disc Brakes), and Will Baty (Centerforce Performance Clutches) participated in a Trucking Throwdown. They pulled their diesel trucks out on course and laid down some very competitive lap times. Each of the driver’s came in right around 43 seconds with Will Baty taking the lead. However, there has been discussion about who actually knocked down the most cones!

Spectre Driver, Greg Thurmond with Chad Ryker, points winners of Classic Muscle Class w/ trophy

Spectre Driver, Greg Thurmond ties with Chad Ryker for Classic Muscle Class Championship

The NMCA West Hotchkis Cup Autocross Finals was the season's grand finale, the culmination of four west coast events with a possible 25 points each event, where the driver with the highest points is crowned the champion.

The NMCA West Hotchkis Cup Autocross hosts four 2-day events throughout the season in which a driver can participate and earn points. To be considered for the points championship, the driver must participate in the 2-day event. If a driver simply wants to come out to drive for the day, that is encouraged. However, that driver will not be eligible for points toward the cup championship for his or her day of participation. Driver’s lap times are averaged for each day then the drivers are awarded points based upon their ranking among the other participants. So you needn’t have the fastest lap time in the field to earn the most points. You need to be the most consistent.

Rob and Trish Byrd present Brandy Phillips with Hotchkis Cup Truck Class Trophy

Spectre Driver, Brandy Phillips, Hotchkis Cup Truck Class Champion with the Racing Byrds

Spectre Performance Driver, Greg Thurmond in his 1965 Corvette, SCAR, won the championship title for the Classic Muscle class, with 66 points, tied with fellow racer Chad Ryker who also earned 66 points. Greg and Chad swapped places throughout the weekend with Greg finally pulling out well in front to garner him the much needed points to win the Classic Muscle Championship.

Spectre Performance Driver, Brandy Phillips, in her C10R was the winner in the Truck Class for the weekend and Truck Class Champion! Brandy’s battle was hard fought and took until the last lap of the weekend to secure her as the victor in her class and championship.

Other notable points champions include Ryan Thacker for the Sports Car Class and Marc Lewis for the Compact Class.

NMCA West Hotchkis Cup Autocross has rapidly grown since its inception. But then again so has the pro-touring movement. With expansive courses that allow each participant the ability to push their cars to the limit, it’s no wonder autocross has become so popular. The Racing Byrds have perfected the recipe for a great weekend pastime that has pulled folks away from yard work and their television. Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to seeing them out at the NMCA West events in 2017, defending their titles!

Brandy Phillips in her C10R on course during her winning run.

Brandy Phillips muscling her PCHRods built C10R around the course on her winning run!

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Spectre Performance has “GONE-MAD” for SEMA with a 1955 Chevy Nomad

Front Drivers Side 1955 Chevy Nomad GONE-MAD Owner, Art Boze, Built by Classic Car St

Built by Classic Car Studio, the 1955 Chevy Nomad of Art Boze, “GONE-MAD"

Over the past few years, Spectre Performance has featured some pretty sick builds in their SEMA booth and this year is no exception. Rumored to be a bit of a departure from past builds, this 1955 Chevy Nomad is anything but typical. Inspired by a childhood memory turned desire that took more than sixty years to fulfill.

To say Art Boze is just another car enthusiast would be an understatement. This automotive devotee and seasoned car guy out of Swansea, Illinois, has finally built the car of his dreams. As a youngster Art recalls his neighbor had a '55 Chevy Nomad that he routinely ran around town in. Art fell in love with that car and it was right then and there he made a vow to someday own one of those wagons.

Rear Passenger Side View 1955 Chevy Nomad built by Classic Car Studio

Inspired by a childhood memory, this bodacious beast has found permanent residence in Art’s garage

He’s had his share of hot rods and muscle cars and of course some noteworthy daily drivers, but none seemed to hold a candle to the Nomad of his neighbor’s from sixty plus years ago. Fast forward to present day and now seemed the perfect time to build the wagon of his dreams.

No stranger to custom builds, he was aware of what it would take to create a very forward-thinking, innovative design. Having worked with Classic Car Studio in the past on other projects, Art placed the call. Classic Car Studio president, Noah Alexander, and the crew were stoked to get on board. Before long they got started on Art’s vision.

Under Side 1955 Chevy Nomad custom fabricated belly-pan

Classic Car Studio custom fabricated details like this belly-pan offer form and function

First they would need to find a “roller” or at the very least a project car. This task alone could take months or even years. But as luck would have it, Noah found the perfect donor, dusty and neglected in the dry, arid climate of Arizona. It was the "someday" project that never saw someday until Noah came knocking. With Art’s blessing, Noah secured the purchase and the wagon was shipped to the shop in St. Louis, slated for immediate disassembly.

Under Side 1955 Chevy Nomad featuring exhaust system, differential, suspension

Powder coated and painted, every finish flawless, every weld seamless, every nut and bolt polished

Work started almost immediately after Classic Car Studio took delivery of the Nomad. The body was disassembled and stripped down, the trim pieces removed, then sent out for media blasting. Upon its safe return there really weren’t too many surprises from this sixty year old car. There was poorly repaired body damaged, small rust holes that had eaten away at the floor panels, and a doorjamb repair that would simply need to be replaced. The Nomad needed some serious love but nothing the professionals couldn’t handle.

1955 Chevy Nomad Roadster Shop REVO Chassis, SSRE 509ci big-block, Billet Wheels w/ Pirelli's

Roadster Shop REVO chassis supports Gone-Mad’s massive drivetrain

The next step would be to get the body over to fabrication to begin the overhaul. Old, rusty floors would give way to new, custom fabricated floors. To accommodate a larger, tougher transmission, the fabrication team designed a new tunnel that was added to the new floor. A custom trunk panel was designed and fabricated specifically for this build, as well. While they were at it, mods were made to the floor creating a mini-tub to support chassis modifications plus bigger, wider rubber that would later be added to the rear. The fab team was also responsible for re-creating the wagons doorjamb. Finally, they designed and created a one-off bellypan, adding to the custom look from the ground up. After all the fab work was complete the exterior panels were filled where necessary and smoothed in preparation for custom paint. Close to 2,000 man hours went into the wagons body and sheetmetal work to create the flawless body panels that now show off that green pearl paint!

For a body as big as the ’55 Chevy Nomad you need a chassis that won’t buckle under pressure. Boze and the team at Classic Car Studio selected the sturdy Roadster Shop Revo chassis that comes with 10-gauge fully boxed 4x4-inch framerails. They installed a Flaming River power rack-and-pinion up front with a triangulated four-link rear suspension and Afco coilovers in the rear to provide a comfortable ride. Wilwood Pro spindles, master cylinder, and 13-inch brakes (six-piston front, four-piston rear) give this heavyweight all the stopping power she’ll need.

1955 Chevy Nomad Classic Car Studio rendering of Spectre Performance intake concept

Classic Car Studio rendering of custom intake concept for "GONE-MAD"

When it came to deciding what would power the '55, they chose to have an engine built that would be worthy of the teams eye-catching design. The result? An insane big-block created for this diamond in the rough by Shafiroff Racing Engines (SSRE) out of Bohemia, New York. SSRE started with a World/BMP 509ci aluminum block with steel billet caps. They added a Scat 4340 4.250-inch steel crank to the bottom end, plus a Comp “round lobe” billet hydraulic roller cam, along with Comp 1.7 Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers. Custom 10.75:1 aluminum forged pistons with coated skirts connect to Scat 4340 6.385-inch H-beam steel rods. The motor features SSRE proprietary CNC ported Edelbrock 409 aluminum heads complete with Manley custom stainless 2.25/1.75 valves and Isky “Endure Design” premium roller springs. A pair of Edelbrock Vintage Finish 600-cfm carbs with electric choke are connected by an Edelbrock progressive throttle linkage. Possibly the jewel atop the crown, Classic Car Studio is in process of fabricating a custom intake for the Spectre Performance filter to help this beast breathe. To bring this big-block to life a set of custom 1 7/8” stainless headers feed a 3” exhaust system with Black Widow mufflers adding a throaty tone as they terminate into 3-inch exhaust ports. A Moroso race prepped oil pump keeps the motor cool and lubricated. They’ve added an MSD Ready to Run billet distributor for spark and finally, added a polished aluminum front cover with billet timing pointer, along with a set of GM cast aluminum valve covers, to make this beast of burden beautiful.

Custom intake for 1955 Chevy Nomad

Custom intake to house the Spectre Performance filter in the '55 Nomad

This 509ci SSRE built big-block with all the impressive upgrades is rated at 625 hp with 638 pound feet of torque. Backed by the very capable Bowler 4L80E transmission, complete with Bowler Compushift computer, coupled to a Billet 9x11-inch triple-disc lockup stall converter. This setup ties into an ironclad Ford 9-inch rear diff with Pro Iron Case and Truetrac posi. The wagon sports Billet Specialties SLG 15 wheels: 18x8 in the front and 20x12 at the rear all wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires; 255/40R18 and 335/35R20 respectively.

1955 Chevy Nomad Engine compartment Spectre Performance intake fitment

Checking the fit on the custom Spectre Performance intake on big-block in "GONE-MAD"

Looking more like a piece of jewelry than an old wagon, this build evolved in three phases. "First it was going to be a Gypsy Red car with an Indian Ivory top and all the chrome. Next, it changed to a green car with a tan top and the chrome. And finally, after it was all said and done, it was going to be a green car with the gold top and all gold everything,” states Noah. “We have all the renderings lined up still, and the final car is definitely the best. It’s green and gold! You’ve got to be pretty confident in a shop to let them lead you in that direction,” he continued. Custom builds of this caliber take patience and perseverance, from both the builder and the customer. It took over a year for Art to finally come on board with the overall final rendering of the exterior of the wagon. So in the end "Gone-Mad" was dressed in Rescue Green by BASF Glasurit paint and accented with Mercedes Benz Gold Metallic by BASF Glasurit on all the trim.

1955 Chevy Nomad passenger side interior shot featuring custom leather seats, console and dash pa

The interior of the Tri-Five was inspired by old Italian speedboats and cigar lounges

When you go this big on the outside you most assuredly can’t drop the ball on the inside. The interior required thinking outside of the box. Thinking beyond just the interior of a car, Classic Car Studio sought inspiration from some very unlikely places. They created art boards filled with pictures of old Italian speedboats and cigar lounges, bringing to mind a bygone era emphasizing rich masculine tones and amenities. The interior features custom fabricated sheetmetal door panels and console, meticulously covered with the same Relicate leather used on the custom Scat racing seats. The interior trim pieces, dash, and headliner were painstakingly hand painted by a local artist utilizing an airbrush and dry bristle brush technique that mimics the richest of Burl woods. The end result nothing short of amazing. “The devil is in the details,” according to Noah Alexander. “It’s the little things, like the intake, the custom firewall, the interior, all that metal work took probably 800 hours to complete but it makes the biggest impact.”

Classic Car Studio and Art Boze are thrilled to be a part of the Spectre Performance booth at the 2016 SEMA Show. With over 1.5 years into the build, they’d both tell you it didn’t come easy or cheap, but in the end the hard work and dedication paid off in spades. This 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, affectionately nicknamed “Gone-Mad”, is truly a work of Art. It is a statement or rather a testament to making dreams come true. If you will be attending the 2016 SEMA Show, be sure to stop by the Spectre Performance booth, #22755, in Central Hall to see this beautiful creation for yourself.

1955 Chevy Nomad faux finished wood look headliner

The headliner was painted to look like a real wood panel

1955 Chevy Nomad custom Italian leather diamond stitched seats, faux finished console and trunk

Every surface, every stitch, meticulously tended to creating a one of a kind, jaw dropping interior

1955 Chevy Nomad custom fabricated and painted dash and gauges

More than 800 man hours make up the exquisite interior from the dash to the gauges

1955 Chevy Nomad interior featuring door panel, seats, carpet and dash

Creature comforts include Vintage Air A/C, Kenwood head unit, plus custom Scat race seats

1955 Chevy Nomad front end view featuring grill, headlamps and hood

Classic Car Studio & Art Bose succeeded in creating the perfect blend of modern and vintage

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