<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0HQW53_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HQW53_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>Over the decades since it first rolled out of dealer showrooms packed with its revolutionary 265ci small-block V-8, the iconic ’55 Chevy has undergone an incredible progression in the performance world. In the blink of an eye, it was established as one of the most revered performance models of the '50s, fast becoming a test bed for the automotive aftermarket as it started making itself known on the street and strip. Nothing fuels excitement better than seeing a vintage Gasser version with radiused rear wheel openings filled with slicks matched to a heavy-breathing tunnel-ram intake pushing fuel through a pair of quads with velocity stacks protruding through the hood. Steve Johnson’s ’55 Chevy 150 sedan is a prime example of the evolution of the model over nearly 70 years of existence, as technology and performance have rewritten the book by fusing supercar capabilities and brute power with vintage style. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=30Pf9v_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=30Pf9v_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>There’s always one moment in time that leads you down an automotive path, and for Steve it was the day his dad, Sam, brought home a ’55 Chevy two-door sedan as the new family-hauler. Infatuated by the design, it served as a launch pad for his future. This was further solidified by a vacation trip to San Jose, California, at age 16 with his cousin, Wylie Nagler. That’s when Steve was able to experience his first true hot rod show while cruising the grounds in a slammed ’33 Ford. From there, a hopped-up ’85 Ford Mustang GT followed, giving him the opportunity to turn wrenches in search of even more muscle on the street. After that, he took on his first full build with a ’90 Chevy Silverado pickup, giving it the Pro Street treatment. He back-halved the truck and added monster rubber spun by a freshly installed 496ci big-block with 14:1 compression to up the ante. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2UxzNe_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2UxzNe_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><h2>Inspired by a Camaro </h2><p>A turning point arrived in 2001 when cousin, Rob Carmichael, purchased the legendary Hotchkis Sport Suspension’s F-71 Gen-2 Camaro, which was featured on the December 2000 cover of HOT ROD magazine. Being a first-of-its-kind LS engine conversion of a classic muscle car, it injected newfound performance into the industry by fusing modern engine technology, handling, and braking with a vintage shell. Inspired by the F-71, Steve thought to the allure of his dad’s ’55 Chevy and began a search for a suitable car to build. Before long, he located a nice ’55 150 sedan with a tame small-block and a 700-R4 trans. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34cJsI_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34cJsI_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>What followed was a complete refresh of the car. Working with Zack Bowman, Steve began suspension upgrades including a new front subframe and a matching four-link from Jim Meyer Racing. A significant power bump came from a wicked 465-hp small-block with Kinsler Fuel Injection. A Tremec T-56 six-speed transmission and 4.11 gears offered plenty of snap. The combination was both ferocious and dependable, but, sadly, after about a decade, an accident left it with significant damage including a bent frame, which put the car in stasis for the next four years. During this time, he watched as Rob completed his latest build, a 1,200-hp twin-turbo LS-powered ’78 Chevy C10, with the help of Chris Cerce Customs (CCC) of Taunton, Massachusetts. The truck was an absolute monster filled with cutting-edge performance. It wasn’t long until Steve met with Chris to discuss the possibility of bringing his ’55 Chevy back from the dead. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3WoBPQ_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WoBPQ_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0MjXgH_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0MjXgH_0vpJwFCn00" width="300" height="250" ></figure><h2>Starting Fresh </h2><p>The two agreed on a plan and Steve dropped the car off with Chris. Once it was disassembled, they determined the original frame was beyond repair. Since they wanted the car to handle and perform with industry-leading technology, it was time to contact The Roadster Shop for a serious upgrade with one of its Fast-Track chassis. To create the perfect base, RS starts with hand-fabricated 10-gauge boxed framerails matched to custom crossmembers for rock-solid strength. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0zZJWp_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zZJWp_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>To achieve superior handling, the Fast-Track front suspension showcases proprietary geometry matched to C6 Corvette spindles with SKF Racing hub assemblies, custom-fabricated upper and lower control arms, 1.25-inch splined sway bar, and Penske double-adjustable coil-over shocks with Hyperco springs. Out back, a Strange Engineering Ford 9-inch packing matching 35-spline axles and 3.73:1 gears was suspended in place by a large-diameter four-link with a Panhard bar. Building the right braking into the car was a must, so a Bosch i-Booster was selected to move fluid through stainless lines to Baer Pro+ 14-inch cross-drilled and slotted rotors with six-piston calipers at each corner. Wanting a truly unique look, Steve chose a set of Forgeline GA3R-Series three-piece competition wheels sized 19x10 inches front and 19x12 inches rear and wearing Nitto NT05R rubber sized P275/35ZR-19 and P345/30ZR-19, respectively. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3EdvZP_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3EdvZP_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><h2>Max Performance </h2><p>For power, Steve contacted Don Hardy Race Engines of Floydada, Texas, for one of their custom-built, tire-melting supercharged LS3 engines. To start, a Dart SHP LS Next cast-iron block with four-bolt mains was massaged and filled with a matching forged 4340 billet-steel crank, Callies Ultra H-Beam forged rods, Diamond forged pistons, and s DHRE cam. A set of Dart LS3 PRO1 280cc aluminum heads with 68cc chambers make plenty of power, especially when paired with a Holley Dominator EFI system matched to Injector Dynamics ID1700x injectors and a Whipple WTB-2200M-LSX billet monoblade 2,175-cfm throttle body. The 4.5-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger delivers the knockout punch, sending a tire-searing 1,050 hp to the rear wheels. A Holley ignition with Moroso wires lights the fire, and the custom exhaust system includes a set of Ultimate Headers, an X-pipe, and Borla ProXS-Series mufflers. Other cool bits under the hood include a Wegner Automotive serpentine accessory drive, Billet Specialties hood hinges, and an intercooler and cooling system by Wizard Cooling. A Hughes Performance Extreme Duty Custom 4L80E with Pro Street 30-Series torque converter links to a Strange Engineering seamless chromoly driveshaft. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=45fd8p_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=45fd8p_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>While stripping the body, Chris discovered the sheetmetal would need far more work than originally anticipated. Weighing the options, Steve and Chris decided to contact Real Deal Steel for one of its new steel bodies, complete with a four-inch-recessed and smoothed firewall, a custom transmission tunnel, and minitubs. From there, Chris’ team got busy adding the shop's signature touches, including a smoothed hood with custom vents along with tucked and smoothed bumpers. After finalizing the bodywork, Chris laid down a very subtle custom-blended coating of satin blue paint. To add just the right accent, new trim, grille, door handles, and bumpers from Real Deal were treated with satin charcoal coating. Some final touches include Holley’s RetroBright LED headlights and taillights, and turn signals from Eckler’s. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3TjmHa_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3TjmHa_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><p>The engine runs on Holley’s Dominator EFI system that is monitored by a Racepak IQ3 dash. A quick-release steering wheel from Motion Raceworks includes momentary pushbuttons for the line-lock and an MSD two-step rev-limiter, and a Kilduff Ratchet Bitch shifter pulls the gears. To beat the heat, Restomod Air keeps the cabin cool while a JL Audio system with Rockford Fosgate speakers adds plenty of thump. Inside-Out Customs of Lunenburg built the interior with Corbeau GTS II front seats and a matching rear seat wrapped in black leather. Custom door and side panels, kick panels, black loop carpeting, and headliner complete the look. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0hzi9L_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0hzi9L_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ><h2>Back on the Road </h2><p>Overall, the completed car brings together Steve’s vision of classic vintage style laced with supercar performance, making it a true contender on both the street and track. Taking on a build of this magnitude was a true team effort by Chris Cerce Customs, including Chris, Erik Camara, Daymon Smith, John Bearuralt, Josh Senecal, and Will Denesberger, to make it all come together. Now Steve’s busy hitting the streets and plans on burning up tires from coast to coast. That’s about as good as it gets! </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3eCxA1_0vpJwFCn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3eCxA1_0vpJwFCn00" width="1000" height="563" ></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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This Custom ’55 Chevy Packs a 1,000-HP Supercharged Punch and You Can Drive It Anywhere

Over the decades since it first rolled out of dealer showrooms packed with its revolutionary 265ci small-block V-8, the iconic ’55 Chevy has undergone an incredible progression in the performance world. In the blink of an eye, it was established as one of the most revered performance models of the '50s, fast becoming a test bed for the automotive aftermarket as it started making itself known on the street and strip. Nothing fuels excitement better than seeing a vintage Gasser version with radiused rear wheel openings filled with slicks matched to a heavy-breathing tunnel-ram intake pushing fuel through a pair of quads with velocity stacks protruding through the hood. Steve Johnson’s ’55 Chevy 150 sedan is a prime example of the evolution of the model over nearly 70 years of existence, as technology and performance have rewritten the book by fusing supercar capabilities and brute power with vintage style.

This Custom ’55 Chevy Packs a 1,000-HP Supercharged Punch and You Can Drive It Anywhere

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