Seeing that this car has flames (look closely because they're very subtle) and that owners Jim and Dyonne Pricco are bakery owners from Covina, California, we don't feel as though we're venturing too far into make-believe by calling this remarkable '55 "baked." Its look is hot, its engine is hot, and the bright California summer sun reflecting off of its PPG-coated exterior is definitely hot. As with many of us, Jim built this machine in loving memory of the '55 he drove to high school. Of course, this time it was done with much more attention to detail and certainly to a much higher level than the high school ride.
The car came into the Pricco's life with the help of a friend who is a car collector. It was rust-free, nosed, and decked, and much of the chrome was shaved. Of course, it soon received the "frame-off' treatment, together with Pro-Street modifications from Victory Racing. Even though it has a punched-out 427 block, now displacing 440 ci, and a 6-71 blower, Joe already has plans for a 468ci 800-plus-hp powerplant very soon-definitely "bad."
| Tech Specs |
| Owner | Jim and Dyonne Pricco, Covina, CA |
| Vehicle | '55 Chevy 210 two-door sedan |
| Engine | 68 Chevy four-bolt main 427 ci bored to 440 ci; J&E pistons; |
| | Speed Pro rings and bearings; B&B piston pins; 9:1 |
| | comp ratio; Milodon oil pan and windage tray; Crane |
| | flat-tappet cam; .610 intake lift, .630 exhaust, duration |
| | 288 degrees intake, 296 degrees exhaust; Chevy |
| | square-port heads; Manley valves, 2.19 intake, 1.88 |
| | exhaust; Crane valvesprings and 1.7 rocker arms, built |
| | by Van Gordon Racing, Upland, CA; Holley carb; Mike |
| | Kuhl 6-71 blower (9 lbs boost) and manifold; K&N |
| | Filter; Smiley Headers, 3" Flowmaster mufflers; MSD |
| | 6A ignition; Autolight plugs |
| Transmission | Turbo 400, Hurst shifter, Hughes flywheel, and 4,000- |
| | rpm stall converter |
| Rear End | Currie 9" limited-slip with 4.11:1 gear ratio |
| Suspension |
| Front | Moroso front springs, urethane bushings, dropped |
| | spindles, Willwood disc brakes |
| Rear | Pro-Street back half, Alden coilovers, Lamb springs, |
| | ladder bars |
| Wheels | American Torque Thrusts |
| Tires | MT rear, Kelly front |
| Body | Larry Baretta Auto Body |
| Color | PPG Black with clearcoat, ghost flames |
| Painter | Billy B., Kustom Kolors, Upland, CA |
| Interior | Gray leather by Collins Custom Upholstery, Upland, CA |