2012 Super Chevy Show St. Louis - Feels Like The First Time

Sucp 1211 01 Super Chevy Show St Louis Feels Like The First Time

As the 2012 Super Chevy Show series rolled into St. Louis, it was hard to believe in the show's 30-plus year history we'd never stopped there before. While walking around the show, we were taken aback by the quality and performance of the cars in the field. As our ever-observant tech editor Calin Head put it, "There were just way too many 10-second show cars to believe. The guys in St. Louis like their cars quick and clean!"

From the stock muscle cars (including two '69 Yenko Camaros) to full modifieds, the variety in St. Louis was top notch, along with a lot of the stories proud owners were sharing with us. Between the registered show cars and Bow Tie Boulevard (non-judged) entries, there were some 500 pristine Bow Ties assembled in the center of the oval. There was also nearly 400 more racing in the quarter-mile.

Gateway management pulled out all stops for the inaugural event. There were free laps on the oval racetrack for the car show participants after 5 p.m. on Saturday and over one hundred entrants took advantage of this exciting opportunity. Also, Chevrolet Performance was giving out free T-shirts at its booth and you could drive any number of new Chevys on a coned-off portion of the track on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There were Corvettes, Camaros, small-cars, and trucks to sample. We wish there was enough space to show all of them in the pages of this issue, but if you head over to superchevy.com, we've got a gallery with most of them posted to the website.

Lindell Hilling almost had his immaculate '55 hardtop on two wheels past the lights at the strip. This shoebox racer was so clean and nice it could've easily taken home awards from the show side.
Lindell Hilling almost had his immaculate '55 hardtop on two wheels past the lights at the
Nice disco era Novas are tough to find. Add diesel power to one, like Aladdin Garris did...
Nice disco era Novas are tough to find. Add diesel power to one, like Aladdin Garris did..
...and you essentially have a unicorn wearing a Chevy badge. It actually runs on used French fry oil.
...and you essentially have a unicorn wearing a Chevy badge. It actually runs on used Fren

This Nova had a Yenko inspired theme but was way more than just a pretty car. Yes, the Aztec gold and black stripes look good but the massive engine is what dreams are made of. And if the Nova wasn't enough to get the race fuel running in your veins there was always the Vette, which had a big set of turbos cramming air into it.
This Nova had a Yenko inspired theme but was way more than just a pretty car. Yes, the Azt
Greg Callum's '69 Chevelle packed a pair of turbos under the hood, and a host of custom mods that had us drooling. Watch for a feature on this ragtop in a future issue of Super Chevy.
Greg Callum's '69 Chevelle packed a pair of turbos under the hood, and a host of custom mo
When was the last time you saw an original six-cylinder first-gen Camaro?

Tom Schilly's Matador Red '68 is a rare sight, bought by his father new and restored by Tom himself.
Tom Schilly's Matador Red '68 is a rare sight, bought by his father new and restored by To
Another one of our drag car award winners was Eric Earney and his home built '67 Camaro. Eric's long hauled his car on Power Tour, while still being able to make 11-second runs down the dragstrip, thanks to healthy LS power.
Another one of our drag car award winners was Eric Earney and his home built '67 Camaro. E
This '79 El Camino had one of the slickest interiors we have ever seen in one of these G-body trucks. Greg Cragg from St. Peters, Missouri, used parts from a GTO, Camaro, and Silverado to create his perfect cabin. The star of the interior for us is the custom-made door panels, which feature elements from a fourth-gen Camaro.
This '79 El Camino had one of the slickest interiors we have ever seen in one of these G-b

Oh, and did we mention that under all that smooth red paint is the heart of an animal. The ElCo is running a 555 Dart big-block and runs mid 12s in the quarter.
Oh, and did we mention that under all that smooth red paint is the heart of an animal. The
One of our drag car winners was David Reich (in front) and his '84 Monte Carlo SS. David bought the car new and eventually turned it into this still street legal drag car. Eric Luig (far left) now takes the wheel and pilots the car while Perry and Sharon Thomas take on pit duties.
One of our drag car winners was David Reich (in front) and his '84 Monte Carlo SS. David b
The Revell Make N Take provided some welcome respite from the sun for kids and their parents. Revell's program to encourage kids in the art of model building takes place at all Super Chevy Shows and other events across the country.
The Revell Make N Take provided some welcome respite from the sun for kids and their paren

Jeff Smith had the wheels up on his '70 Chevelle every pass. There are even scrape marks on the rear bumper from getting it way up. We asked why he didn't run a set of wheelie bars and he responded with, "wheelie bars are for wussies."
Jeff Smith had the wheels up on his '70 Chevelle every pass. There are even scrape marks o
Another rare one in the show field was Gary Stock's '59, two-door Brookwood wagon.
Gary added LS power and some modern interior comforts to make this rare batwing a comfortable cruiser for going to Super Chevy Shows.
Gary added LS power and some modern interior comforts to make this rare batwing a comforta

AMSOIL presents Super Chevy 2012 Best of the Best

Here are the St. Louis, missouri, winners from the amsoil best of the best competition, presented by danchuk and classic muscle:

Tri-Five – Louis Jackson – '55 Bel Air Pro Street
Chevelle – Greg Callum – '69 Convertible Pro Touring
Camaro – Don Wingfield – '73 Pro Street

Nova – Mark Morgan – '67 Pro Street
Fullsize, '58-up – Bruce Underwood – '59 Impala

The AMSOIL Best of the Best voting begins the Monday after each Super Chevy Show and lasts through the following Monday at midnight. Keep your browser aimed at bestofthebest.superchevy.com to vote for next batch of classic Bow Ties.

Editor's Choice Car Show Winners

Dennis Gaylord - Oregon, IL – '67 Biscayne
Gary Canton - Henderson, KY – '77 Nova
Aladdin Garris - Perryville, MO – '75 Nova
Tom Schilly - Bloomsdale, MO – '68 Camaro
Roger & Linda Allen - Imperial - MO, '79 Z/28
Rick Layne - Murphysboro, IL – '66 Malibu
Gary Stock - Bethalto, IL – '59 Brockwood Wagon
Thomas Davis - Hazelwood, MO – '56 Bel Air
Barry Wallner - Carlinville, IL – '57 Sedan Delivery
Andrew Muehlauser - St. Louis, MO – '71 Monte Carlo

Editor's Choice Drag Car Winners

Glenn Buck - Mexico, MO – '69 Nova
Rod Shryock - Colombia, MO – '71 Monte Carlo
Eric Luig - St. Louis, MO – '84 Monte Carlo SS
John Ridings - Springfield, IL – '71 Chevelle
Jack Titone - Chesterfield, MO – '70 Z/28 Camaro
Lindell Jilling - Troy, IL – '55 Bel Air
Eric Earney - Union, MO – '67 Camaro
Joe Horst - Arnold, MO – '67 Nova
Larry & Nancy Conn - House Springs, MO – '68 Camaro
Doug Schwartz - Nermann, MO – '55 Bel Air

Gold Class Winners

Modified '68 and Newer Chevelle: Greg Cullman, High Ridge, MO, '69 Chevelle
Modified '68 and Newer El Camino: Pete Simpson, Monongahela, PA, '70
Modified Conversion '55-57: Steven Lufthage, Omaha, NE, '56 Chevy

Best of Show

Big Car: Larry Frederick, Petersburg, IL, '62 Chevy
Camaro: Dan Chaplin, St Charles, MO, '67 Camaro
Chevelle: John Ridings, Springfield, IL, '71 Chevelle
Corvette: Pete White, St. Louis, MO, '65 Corvette
Conversion: Jamey Griffin, Mono, IL, '81 Buick Regal
Open: Paul Beck, Pearl, IL, '65 Corvair
Early Chevy: Curtis Brooks, St. Peters, MO, '34 Chevy Coupe
El Camino: Bill McGary, St. Charles, MO, '69 El Camino
'55-1957 Chevy: Johnnie and Patty Williams, Warrenton, MO, '55 Chevy
Monte Carlo: Eric Icomp, Winslow, IN, '86 Monte Carlo
Nova: Bruce Briley, Collinsville, IL, '68 Nova
Pro Street/Engineered: Louis Jackson, St. Charles, MO, '55 Chevy
Truck: Don Vollmer, Godfrey, IL, '95 Pickup
Paint: Steven Lufthage, Omaha, NE, '65 Chevy
Detail: Pete Simpson, Monongahela, PA, '71 El Camino
Engine: Pete Simpson, Monongahela, PA, '71 El Camino
Excellence Award: Stan Huchinson, Florissant, MO, '70 Chevelle
Best of Show: Greg Cullum, High Ridge, MO, '69 Chevelle

Barry Wallner had a '57 sedan delivery Junior Stocker back in the day, and built this one to have fun with and relive the golden age of drag racing.
Barry Wallner had a '57 sedan delivery Junior Stocker back in the day, and built this one
With a 270hp 283 and Powerglide trans, he blew up the trans three weeks earlier at an eighth-mile track in Havana, Illinois.
With a 270hp 283 and Powerglide trans, he blew up the trans three weeks earlier at an eigh
Rick Layne's plain white wrapper Chevelle was bought new by his aunt in '66, and only has 66,000 miles on the clock.
Rick Layne's plain white wrapper Chevelle was bought new by his aunt in '66, and only has

He had just finished restoring the well-optioned car when we saw it at St. Louis...
...but the A-body still has all its original sheetmetal, and its bright blue interior just screams '60s cool.
...but the A-body still has all its original sheetmetal, and its bright blue interior just
The swap meet was chock full of goodies, but if you're building a second-gen Camaro there was a little piece of heaven waiting for you. Doug and Jason from D&J Camaros had massive amounts of stuff including these clean taillight sets. If you're looking for good 2nd gen stuff shoot e-mail at dnjcamaros@gmail.com.
The swap meet was chock full of goodies, but if you're building a second-gen Camaro there

This'66 belongs to Judy and Ray Zielinski from Villa Ridge, Missouri. It was purchased six years ago out of a field and was nothing more that an empty shell. The husband and wife team did a great job transforming it into this stunner you see here. One of the most notable mods was the fabrication of the Stinger hood, which looks right at home with the bodylines of the '66 and covers up the 496 big-block with a ton of style.
This'66 belongs to Judy and Ray Zielinski from Villa Ridge, Missouri. It was purchased six
Keith Shockley's '69 Yenko Camaro was originally sold through Van T Chevy in Mission, Kansas.
Keith Shockley's '69 Yenko Camaro was originally sold through Van T Chevy in Mission, Kans
Keith has a ton of original paperwork on the car, including a letter from Ed Cunneen verifying the car's authenticity.
Keith has a ton of original paperwork on the car, including a letter from Ed Cunneen verif

The St. Louis show was the first time Doug Schwartz's '55 had hit the track, complete with original 265 small-block power and a four-speed manual. The clutch fried on the car's first pass, but undaunted, Doug worked to fix it and kept on racing.
The St. Louis show was the first time Doug Schwartz's '55 had hit the track, complete with
Wonel Brown lost his teenage son Jamel to a heart defect before they could even begin building his dream car, the Nova you see pictured here. In memory of him, Wonel built the Nova just as Jamel always dreamed of.
Wonel Brown lost his teenage son Jamel to a heart defect before they could even begin buil

Only a handful of Chevelle convertibles were built in '70, and this one was an NHRA drag car almost from day one. An original L78 396 machine, it was converted to LS6 power and campaigned like that before being transformed to '71 LS6 specs and body panels.
Only a handful of Chevelle convertibles were built in '70, and this one was an NHRA drag c
The car first appeared in Super Chevy a long time ago and today it's been fully restored to its old '70 LS6 drag car trim, and spends time turning heads at shows instead of race tracks.
The car first appeared in Super Chevy a long time ago and today it's been fully restored t
This plastic fantastic second-gen belongs to John Franklin from Hannibal, Missouri. John bought the car back in 1980 when it was totally stock. He had all intentions of building it into a drag car and started with a big-block swap and a back half. Well, John told us,
This plastic fantastic second-gen belongs to John Franklin from Hannibal, Missouri. John b