Modifications of classic cars are a billion dollar industryand while the possible permutations for a modified classical would ideally look like may seem endless, I am here to tell you that, in fact, there is one correct answer, and that is “classic American muscle car modified to conform to SCCA or car racing rules by a the man in his driveway drives a car a year.” Want proof? Good, I’ll give you proof. This is Vinracer’s Plymouth GTX (not to be confused with Vinfast) in all its big, black looks.
Ok, so now that you’re good and already excited, let’s talk about what Vinracer GTX really is. It started life as a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II, after which Robert Brown from Vinracer carried out sophisticated modifications in many radical ways with instructions from the 1966 SCCA rule book. The powertrain was 440 Mopar, but it’s now running the super-stealth Holley Sniper throttle body injection system for around 650 hp, and instead of a four-speed manual, it now has a five-speed Tremec TKO transmission. The rear end is a Moser 9-inch with limited slip and gearshifts that would theoretically allow it to hit 185 mph.
The chassis also gets a bunch of sneaky modifications. For example, the torsion bar and leaf spring suspension are gone, replaced by coil spring shock absorbers front and rear. The bodywork has been significantly reinforced with a 12-point full roll frame tethered to the front clamp, and while it’s unlikely the massive Plymouth will handle like the Lotus, it should still be fine. The brakes come from Wilwood and are covered by some sweet 17-inch Hallibrand knockoffs wrapped in Firestone police tires.
The bodywork has been widened by Brown simply by cutting a slit in the front and rear fenders, then using the muffler to flare them out. Pthe pins are soldered in to close everything. Both the aluminum front spoiler and rear spoiler are manufactured by Brown himself. The grille is pretty standard except for the air ducts that replace the high beam, like a modern Hellcat. However, body resistance should be the reverse hinged hood with power bulge and functional scoops.
Inside, everything is simple, with a stripped dash having a comprehensive set of gauges and not much else. The original ignition key barrel now only works when the battery is disconnected, while all other features, like the ignition system, starter, cooling fan, turn signals, etc., are on the switch panel. aircraft style on the custom center console. The chairs are from Corbeau and look like they just came out of a ‘60s Le Mans racer. No fully closed windows, no exterior door handles and no windshield wipers. This is a car built with a purpose in mind and that purpose is not practicality.
I followed Vinracer in about a decade since I saw Robert Brown’s first car – a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint modified in similar style – at the original Irvine Cars & Coffee (RIP). That car has been around for free in my mind ever since, and if I suddenly made $70,000 that I could spend on a car, Vinracer would be my first call. Maybe now it will be yours too.
