Photo: Autotopia LA | YouTube
It looks like it's going to fall apart if you sneeze anywhere near it. It looks like it's going to disintegrate if you touch it with your fingertips. This isn't just a rusty old Chevelle. This is a crazy nitrous-fueled station wagon that drives anyone who looks at it insane. And no, it's not rust.
They call it Rusty, but it’s not rusty. It’s just the paint that makes it look that way. The 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon does burnouts and powerslides like no other with professional racer and car rebuilder Lonnie Patrick behind the wheel. Lonnie has been racing since he was a kid. He has his own shop and has been repairing and rebuilding cars since he was a teenager.
Sammy is part of Hood Muscle Cars, the team that built this crazy ride. He has a racing background, just like everyone else on the team, and was involved in the Rusty project. He's the guy who built the engine.
The 1967 Chevy Chevelle Malibu wagon is powered by a 396 cubic inch small block V8 with Brodix heads, roller camshafts, and a Holley carburetor. The engine pumps out about 600 horsepower at the flywheel and between 860 and 900 horsepower when running on nitrous oxide.
Sam did all the work in his garage, took the engine to the shop and put it in the car. He and Lonnie tuned the transmission and got things running.
Photo: Autotopia LA | YouTube
Sam wanted to try a 4L60-E transmission, but it didn't work right away, so they had to find a way to make it work properly with the V8 engine.
The team kept the stock frame, upper control arms, and suspension, but added a new driveshaft. Well, “stock” isn't exactly what they mean by “stock.” For example, Lonnie explains that the suspension is only in the stock position, but it's an aftermarket unit.
They invented a 2.5-inch exhaust with a bullet muffler for a dramatic soundtrack that turns heads wherever the Chevy Chevelle goes. The shock when they see the station wagon looking like a pile of rust is incredible. Rusty rides on 22-inch aftermarket wheels.
Bear Claw is the mysterious owner of the car. He has financed several projects and, of course, that is not his real name, but he just wants to remain anonymous. Lonnie wanted only one thing from him: to tie the luggage so that it would hang on the curve and then snap back into place in a straight line.
Photo: Autotopia LA | YouTube
The cabin looks stock because the team wanted to keep the retro vibes. There are SCAT seats in there, while they invented analog gauges. There is nothing digital aboard the Chevelle. A nitrous oxide activation system button has appeared on the dash.
Lonnie takes the Chevy Chevelle for a spin with Sean from Autotopia LA in the passenger seat. There’s a rumble behind them. When he steps on the gas pedal, the front axle lifts off the ground and the 1967 Chevelle looks ready for takeoff. People on the sidewalk whip out their phones and start filming.
Lonnie starts putting on a show on the streets, doing burnouts and powerslides, while Sean is glued to the seat. The Chevelle has no seat belts on the menu. Just adrenaline and nitrous oxide.
