CHASING CARS
ASKING £15,000 PRICE
ENGINE 4949cc/V8/OHV POWER 290bhp@5200rpm TORQUE 290lb ft@4300rpm MAXIMUM SPEED N/A 0-60MPH 12.3sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 10-15mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-sp man MoT Exempt ODOMETER 0 miles (zeroed at re-build)
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Flick down the fuel pump and starter toggles, pump the throttle to awaken the Edelbrock carburettor and the big five-litre ‘Boss’ V8 fires right up, idling from cold at just above 1000rpm, although this soon settles to a 550rpm idle as the temperature rises. Oil pressure and charging are both good. Ease the light and positive gear lever into first and up comes the light clutch, engaging drive smoothly with no judder or slipping. Bare metal and no door weatherstripping mean that this is never going to be a quiet ride but it’s surprisingly civilised in here. The ride is firm but compliant and the steering light yet communicative. The brakes pull up strong and straight and acceleration is instantaneous before settling down to a relaxed cruise.
BODYWORK CHECK
This car’s appearance cleverly straddles the line between hot rod and rat rod so while the paintwork is good with no rust or scratches it is ‘flat’ finished and the chrome is matt and patinated. It’s a look that works and while not to universal taste you’ll love it if you ‘get’ it. Wheels are wide cream steelies shod with what appear to be recent tyres – big Cooper Cobras at the back and Firestone F560s up front. The timber load bed has new wood, too.
EXTERIOR Shrinking violets need not apply
INTERIOR Bare-painted metal and rows of switches.
MECHANICALS Seriously uprated and updated
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
It’s fully stripped out in here and painted dark grey in an industrial style – alook that’s far more appealing in the metal than it sounds. The bench seat is newly upholstered in vinyl but there’s no headlining and no door cards. We tested this car before dealer preparation so the missing window winders will be fitted before sale. The dash has a fu
