We're not talking makes and models here folks, it doesn't matter if the car in question is a Tri-Five or a Fourth-Gen Camaro. We're talking about attributes like speed, handling, braking, style, looks, or any combination thereof. But here's the rub: there's no true right or wrong answer because it's all a matter of perception. You know, that old adage "different strokes for different folks."
With this in mind, we thought it would be interesting to see what some of our industry compatriots think constitutes the ultimate streetcar--where they think the hobby is headed, and what new trends or breakthroughs they see on the horizon. To that end, we came up with a set of five questions for each. Let's see what they have to say, and maybe we'll find a common thread or two.
SC: What, in your opinion, constitutes the ultimate high-performance streetcar?
Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed and Engineering:
In my opinion, the ultimate high-performance streetcar should be one you can take to the road coarse track after driving it cross-country. It needs to be versatile--handle great, ride well, have a hard-running engine that is low maintenance, brakes like a dog hitting the end of its chain, and be comfortable. It must have high performance in a lot of different areas. First of all, the car must have a killer stance; tire/wheel fitment to the fender openings is crucial. Tire selection is also important. I choose a tire/wheel size that best fits the performance capacity of the car. This is important for braking, cornering, acceleration, and ride quality. Second, the chassis must have the correct parts that work together, and allow for braking performance, cornering, ride, and traction. To have a high-performance, "versatile" car, you can be comfortable in your need to really sort out the chassis. Get the biggest brakes you can afford and have power assist. I prefer power steering for a multi-purpose High-performance car. It needs to have the correct ratio and effort for the road and track. The suspension components must work well together. Remember, a well-sorted chassis really can ride and handle. This makes for a car that is predictable and easy to drive hard. Once you have the parts, it comes down to details, details, and even more details; this goes for the underside of the car to the fit and finish outside the car. Finally, the car must have strong engine performance that is reliable and not be high maintenance.
Gary Penn, Hardcore Racing:
The ultimate streetcar today is confident, versatile, and extremely powerful. It has power windows, A/C, and 1,000 hp.
Alan Johnson, Johnson's Hot Rod Shop:
To me, the ultimate streetcar has to be a total package: modified bodies with a very sleek look, but still retain all the original characteristics of the car; plenty of reliable pump gas hp--at least 800; a modern chassis and suspension with quality parts thoughout; the right wheel and tire package that provides good looks and excellent road-holding capabilities; large-diameter, multi-piston brakes that will stand up to aggressive driving; aero work on the body; smooth underside; venting in the body for letting air out from the wheelwells; and underside ducting for brake cooling.
Chris Alston, Chassisworks:
It must have five things: A big horsepower engine, great handling suspension, super brakes, a comfortable interior with air conditioning (hey it's California), and most important, the body style must make your friends envious. I believe this is the single, most important element of anyone's ultimate car. As styling is a matter of personal preference, there is a lot of room for many different types of vehicles; that is why at Chassisworks we build components for so many different cars.
John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance:
Power, handling/braking potential, driver comfort and ergonomics, performance-per-dollar, and, most importantly, the driver must say after the first drive: "That was awesome!" For me, I must immediately feel connected to the car. The seat location, pedals, shift mechanism, gauges, and steering wheel need to be well positioned to give excellent feedback. A well-engineered performance car will give the driver confidence to explore the car's acceleration, cornering, and braking limits. I believe the ultimate performance streetcar should also be comfortable to drive at low speeds
Bill Mitchell, World Products:
In today's market, you can go to any local car dealership with $35,000 to $75,000 in your pocket and buy any number of really cool, brand-new, factory-warranteed hot rods that will do everything right. With Corvettes to 300Cs, you will have plenty of power, handling, be as comfortable as you can stand, sport a great sound system, and navigate with a navigation system. So why shell out similar or more dollars for a build-it-yourself hot rod? Because you can. Put as much thought into suspension, interior comforts, etc., as the factories are doing. The ultimate streetcar is one that fills your visions and dreams, and does everything a new car can (probably for less money).
Glen Grozich, Billet Specialties:
A car that you can hop into, start up, scare the neighbors, and drive it to the track--strip or road course (does not matter how far away it is, either), beat it all day, drive it back home, wash it, and then go to the cruise night or car show and gather a crowd around it. And you would have to do this week in and week out.
Gary Heidt, Heidt's Hot Rod Shop:
A car like that has to be a truly high-performance machine. Therefore, it must be from a period in time when there were no catalytic converters, good high-octane leaded gas, and when performance was the main priority from the factory. I will probably date myself here, but that is just how it is. I know that the computer technology available now can do wonders for performance with all the pollution requirements, etc. That is just the point. In the old performance days, a car was just made to go fast--period. Just like the Can-Am racing series, which in my opinion was the best racing ever, there was only one rule: no rules. Now I know that you had to have two seats, but not much more. No engine limitations, etc. A true performance streetcar must be built in that same vein. It has to be a car that plants you in the seat in an unbelievable fashion. It has to be such that when you mash the loud pedal (I told you I would date myself), you told the carb to open, and make earth-shaking and ground-pounding power. You did not depress the accelerator and tell the computer that you wanted to go fast, and then the computer told the fuel injector to open the throttle plate and increase the fuel flow. A true high-performance streetcar has to have gut-wrenching brute horsepower--period.
Denny Terzich, ProRides:
The ultimate high-performance streetcar today needs to meet several different criteria. First, the car must be built with one theme. Too many times people mix or match different themes (i.e., race, show, old school, and/or new school). Secondly, the car must have the right stance. In other words, the stance must fit the car that is built, which gives you the performance edge in handling, and also the look. Lastly, and most important, the car must be functional. Today's hot rod has to be up to date in handling, braking, and all-out performance. It can look good, but has to perform, as well.
Sal Solarzano, Total Cost Involved:
An ultimate streetcar to me would be a car that can run a 10-second quarter-mile (for real). Must be able to do it on pump gas. Must be dependable and streetable even to the point of being a daily driver. It must have all the comforts of a late-model car, A/C, heat, etc. It should also have excellent handling characteristics like pulling 0.9 g's on a skidpad, and excellent braking power--like 60-to-0 in 132 feet.
George Ullrich, Speed-O-Motive:
The '69 Z/28 Camaro. I was taught how to drive in one of these cars. Designed for road racing, it offered good balance between power and handling.
Jeanette Ladina, Flaming River:
We have a '68 Camaro and a '57 Chevy, so I would have to say these are my two favorites. From a business perspective, these are cars that are popular and allow our company to showcase their products. In our case, this is steering components--steering columns, our rack-and-pinion conversion systems, plus the supporting shafts and universal joints.
Brent Vandervort, Fat Man Fabrications:
The ultimate street high-performance car would be first and foremost a body style that really trips your personal trigger. It can be from any time period that supplies your imagination with a nostalgic picture, maybe an older brother, a friend, a mentor, a special car in a magazine, or a car you used to own (or wish you did) that never got built (at least to the standards you expect today). These cars are all about transporting you to a place in fantasy that allows you to escape the everyday world. Fit, finish, bodywork, and trimming would be exceptional. The drivetrain would have enormous power, yet be tractable in traffic. Handling and braking would be so good as to get you out of the trouble that drivetrain would get you into. Creature comforts would work perfectly at all times to enhance the experience. And, it would evoke the envy of all--enthusiasts and the general public. There are those who have the talent, drive, and wherewithal to come close to this "blueprint." Those who have built a few cars have found out that there are always compromises where maximizing one element of this dream minimizes the achievement of another. Then there are the problems of cops who disdain the proper exercise of such a vehicle, not to mention the monetary and talent realities. If this is to be a truly "street"car, the reality will often be less than the dream, and in many cases, by choice in order to keep the fun in the run. Most of the guys we run with have feature level cars, but not necessarily a "Pro's Pick." They simply choose to own the car rather than it owning them. We often have more fun getting to the show than being there.
Craig Morrison, Art Morrison Enterprises:
The ultimate high-performance streetcar is the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and comfort. It's well-balanced, powerful, and comfortable. It has enough power to get you into trouble, but not so much that reliability suffers. The chassis setup provides quick steering and a firm, high-performance experience that begs to be pushed hard through the corners, but not a bone-jarring road race feel that will punish your body on long road trips. The interior of the car is like a modern production sports car: it features comfortable, supportive seats, good insulation from road noise, free from vibrations, and has modern comforts like a good sound system and A/C. It's a car that is fun to drive; it puts a smile on your face every time you take it out for a spin, and when you pull back into the garage you can't wait to take it back out again. 0-60 mph should be in the low 4-second to high 3-second range with quarter-mile times in the mid-12s to high-11s; 60-0 mph should be in the low 130-foot range or less, skidpad needs to be in the mid 0.9 to the magic 1g range, and the slalom speed (70-foot cone spacing) should be approaching 50 mph.
Phillip Gerber, The Roadster Shop:
The ultimate streetcar has to have it all--the look, the power, the handling, and performance.
Bret Voelkel, Air Ride Technologies:
Appearance and body style are highly subjective, but it would have to be comfortable, trouble-free, and fast--in that order. 500-550 hp, 1g cornering capability, low 11-second quarter-mile time, 180-mph top end, 60-0 in under 110 feet, and reliable enough to drive across the country on a moment's notice. Gee, sounds like a new Z06, doesn't it? Now, if we can wrap that into an old Chevelle or Camaro body.