Las Vegas Super Chevy Show - Super Chevy Magazine

Too bad if you missed the last three Super Chevy Shows in Las Vegas 'cause we won't be back for awhile. We'll be busy in Florida and Canada along with all the other more familiar venues such as Pomona, Indy, Maple Grove, and Memphis, but if you want to run the Strip it will have to be the one with the hotels and bright lights on it. We've enjoyed it and for us magazine folks on the West Coast it was a great way to end the Super Chevy Show season. This year's event was a dandy with GREAT show cars and fantastic racing. That is one feature of the Las Vegas event that is always noticed; the show cars are often being displayed for the first time and the overall quality is remarkable. Just look at the photos if you think it was easy picking winners.

For the racers "The Strip" is as well prepared and maintained as we find anywhere in the country. Bracket cars were getting great traction and the competition was stiff. When adjusted for altitude (Vegas is about 2,000 feet above sea level), it was clear that the times and speeds of these racers were the result of lots of tuning and "seat time." Nitro Coupe teams were running as if the season had just started rather than being here to crown the 2003 Season Champ, Dan Nickelson, and why not? There was till pride and some extra pesos at stake so the Coupes were still on the track! Gary Irving, who looks to be the driver to beat in 2004, was running his usual best and cranked up a 6.25-second elapsed time into a headwind that often gusted up to 30 mph. Yes, fans, it was cold in Sin City. One racer that wasn't cold, though, was bracket racer, Rod Fuller, who won both the Saturday Bonus Race and the Sunday Bracket, a total of 17 rounds! Hard work but it pays off.

Las Vegas Super Chevy Show Nitro Coupe Burnout

When the Pro Show starts, it's one loud screaming Nitro-smelling burnout after another. The best part is, we get to stand right next to it. Gary...

When the Pro Show starts, it's one loud screaming Nitro-smelling burnout after another. Th

Bolt On Four Seconds And 50 Plus Mph
Pro Charger Wows The Racers
You may recognize this '69 Nova from previous SC mags, but for those who don't, let's fill you in. About 3 years ago, ProCharger decided to build a car that followed Super Street rules, would hopefully break into the 8-second barrier, and run on 91-octane gas. What they got is a car that surpassed all expectations, and is now a walking, talking demonstration. At Las Vegas, ProCharger gave the Super Chevy fans a first look at the technology and capabilities of a high boost centrifugal carburetor supercharger.

Fans sat three deep in the booth while ProCharger technicians installed different boost combinations. As they did this, the techs explained exactly what was going on and the goals that were being set for each combo. After each adjustment the car was ran down the quarter to get real numbers to see exactly how different centrifugal supercharger combos give different results.

Resting between the framerails sits a Gen IV Chevy 454 with a 396 crank, JE pistons, OEM ported heads, dual Holley 450 carburetors with solid Holley floats, and 7.3:1 compression ratio. The motor alone puts out 400 hp to the 31W tires, and will pilot the bone stock Nova down the quarter at 12.29 seconds elapsed time at 111mph. When the F2 ProCharger supercharger is bolted on with 26-27 pounds of boost, this 91-octane (with no additives) bad boy puts out 1,160 hp to the tires! Then it sent the Nova down the quarter at 8.24 at 163.50 mph (with a 30-mph direct headwind present).

Stop and think about it, ProCharger bolted on 4 seconds and 50 plus mph! Over the weekend, the best e.t. was an 8.24, the best mph was 166.50, and the best 60-foot was a 1.23. As an added bonus, fans got the chance to enter a lottery, if they stopped by the booth, to try and win an F1R Inter Cooled carbureted Chevy Supercharger that is capable of a 40-140-percent increase. This weekend's lucky winner was Jeff Thompson from California. So next time you visit a Super Chevy Show, be on the lookout for the ProCharger booth!

While many of us are in the show area, shopping on Manufacturer's Midway, or enjoying a meal, hundreds of bracket racers are thrashing their equipment on the quarter-mile. We know they love it or else why would they spend time and money to destroy perfectly good parts run after run? They seldom get the recognition they deserve so here's a very small sample of racers doing their best with some fine machines.
While many of us are in the show area, shopping on Manufacturer's Midway, or enjoying a me
You never know who'll be hanging around the local high school in the afternoon. Our LA to Vegas cruise made a stop in Henderson, NV, at Coronado High School to visit the outstanding auto shop there. We didn't plan on it but legendary automotive artist, Kenny Youngblood, lives in the area and dropped by to say hello. That's him, third from left, with a whole host of enthusiastic listeners. Looks like Kenny had some good stories to tell.
You never know who'll be hanging around the local high school in the afternoon. Our LA to
If it was Sunday morning coming down, these signers brought it back in focus. The wind blew and the cold froze us but (l to r) Marchella Jackson, 14, Raina Sanchez, 15, and Karla Luna Sanchez, 14, all of Las Vegas got the Racers for Christ chapel attendees on their feet and warmed up.
If it was Sunday morning coming down, these signers brought it back in focus. The wind ble

First time out at Super Chevy and it takes the Workmat Car of the Show award. Bob and Nancy Smith of Lake Havasu City, AZ, have been working on this '55 Nomad for a long time and it shows.
First time out at Super Chevy and it takes the Workmat Car of the Show award. Bob and Nanc
The Transport award from Featherlite Trailers went to Juls Smith of Las Vegas for her '69 Camaro but the Super Stripes-painted H&H trailer and Chevy 3/4-ton pickup that hauled it is what got our attention. Look closely and you'll see the yellow Camaro on the other side.
The Transport award from Featherlite Trailers went to Juls Smith of Las Vegas for her '69
Later on, we warmed up around the Team Hanna jet cars of Mark Hanna (near lane) and Ken Hall. Just don't get them singing.
Later on, we warmed up around the Team Hanna jet cars of Mark Hanna (near lane) and Ken Ha

There may be more spectacular Corvettes than Lisa O'Shaughnessy's '76, from N. Las Vegas, but there are none any cleaner or more detailed than hers. It took us a couple of times walking by it to realize just how good it was, and then we gave it an Editor's Choice Top Ten Show Car award.
There may be more spectacular Corvettes than Lisa O'Shaughnessy's '76, from N. Las Vegas,
Bob Whitt of Twentynine Palms brought this '27 to the show. We like it because you don't have to bend over to get in or ride; nice on backs and legs. A bit slower than Project X we guess.
Bob Whitt of Twentynine Palms brought this '27 to the show. We like it because you don't h
Jerry Yoder from Sumner, WA, looks for rare cars. His '57 Nomad qualifies. It has a 270hp 283 motor (dual four-barrel carbs, solid-lifter Duntov cam, and lots more), a three-speed stick shift,and other rare options. Having an engine such as a 270 in a Nomad must have been quirk for its day but here it is. No surprise that the car captured the Danchuk Best '55 to '57 of the Show.
Jerry Yoder from Sumner, WA, looks for rare cars. His '57 Nomad qualifies. It has a 270hp

Yellow cars and parts were everywhere, even in the swap meet and car corral. That manifold definitely is a "ram" and the cute little Nova is definitely a "gem."
Yellow cars and parts were everywhere, even in the swap meet and car corral. That manifold
Bring a Tri-Five to Las Vegas Super Chevy and be ready for competition. Jerry and Kim Onorato from St. George, UT, caught our eye with this fetching '55 two-door.
Bring a Tri-Five to Las Vegas Super Chevy and be ready for competition. Jerry and Kim Onor
Another example of the Tri-Fives at Vegas is Darryl and Sandy Collins' Bel Air from Las Vegas.
Another example of the Tri-Fives at Vegas is Darryl and Sandy Collins' Bel Air from Las Ve

More customs in the early Chevy ranks than we usually see at a dozen shows. This cool '48 is owned by Ted Brown of San Leandro, CA, but the work was done in Colorado. It's been chopped 4 inches, runs a 454 motor and that grille is from a '53 Buick.
More customs in the early Chevy ranks than we usually see at a dozen shows. This cool '48
Two looks at the same car. No doubt this is a fast Camaro.
Not a lot of '42 Chevys around although this is the second one we've seen this year at a Super Chevy Show. This one, owned by Heaven Allison (we don't make this stuff up, folks) from Las Vegas, took the Outstanding Custom Rod award from Custom Rodder magazine.
Not a lot of '42 Chevys around although this is the second one we've seen this year at a S

...Irving warms up the Mickey Thompsons on his '37 and next up came Jerry Hicks to light up the Goodyears.
...Irving warms up the Mickey Thompsons on his '37 and next up came Jerry Hicks to light u
Dick and Linda Brandt from Huntington Beach, CA, journeyed into the highly competitive Tri-Five class in Las Vegas with this pristine '57 Bel Air.
Dick and Linda Brandt from Huntington Beach, CA, journeyed into the highly competitive Tri
This is one bad baby from Burnaby, British Columbia. Norm Infanti brought his highly supercharged and Pro Modified '67 Chevy II to show what the big dogs look like up North. Took the class win back to B.C.
This is one bad baby from Burnaby, British Columbia. Norm Infanti brought his highly super

This is a "Mr Clean" Corvette. David Pippin of Henderson, NV, is the third owner of this '61, which is un-restored except for a paint job in 1991. As you might imagine, it is a numbers-matching car and it came with "radio delete" allowing the ignition to be unshielded.
This is a "Mr Clean" Corvette. David Pippin of Henderson, NV, is the third owner of this '
The Nance family from Huntington Beach, CA, didn't exactly circle their wagons but they did keep them close. That's Peggy's Nomad and Nick's two-door '55.
The Nance family from Huntington Beach, CA, didn't exactly circle their wagons but they di

Doug Bullard's '70 1/2 Camaro didn't spend all weekend parked by the GM display. Every once in a while it rolled out on the quarter mile and cranked some 9-second elapsed times courtesy of the 572-inch GM crate motor freshly installed and fired up for the Las Vegas show.
Doug Bullard's '70 1/2 Camaro didn't spend all weekend parked by the GM display. Every onc
Nice flames on this hot truck.

Tom Tait's giant four-wheeler has been in magazines, at Super Chevy Shows all around the country, and is a great example of how to drive to the shows but still have a show-quality entry. At Las Vegas the truck deservedly took home to Camarillo, CA, the Best Truck of the Show award, along with the Outstanding 4X4 award, and the class win for 4X4 Truck-Modified.
Tom Tait's giant four-wheeler has been in magazines, at Super Chevy Shows all around the c
Here's another fine '57. Doug Weitman's great red convertible from Malibu, CA, caught lots of attention all weekend long and captured the class win for '57-Modified.
Here's another fine '57. Doug Weitman's great red convertible from Malibu, CA, caught lots
Don Carlisle's '39 convertible has competed in the Grand National Roadster Show, and others prestigious events, but Don enjoys Super Chevy for the outdoor fun and people he meets. This fine drop-top from Salinas, CA, took the Gold Class Best Detail, Gold Class Conversion and even managed to take home the Waterloo tool box given away during the award ceremony. Nice weekend!
Don Carlisle's '39 convertible has competed in the Grand National Roadster Show, and other