Powering the shoebox is a Chevrolet Performance LS2 crate engine bolted to a Tremec six-speed trans. The motor cranks out 470 horsepower with an LS6 computer tune. Wilwood binders at all four corners bring the fun to a stop and are hidden behind Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in Nitto NT-450 rubber.
All finished by early '09, the '56 was ready to hit the road. In the three years leading up to our photo shoot, Craig had racked up over 8,000 miles on the car, driving it all the way from Houston to Fort Worth for the Goodguys show three times and plenty of cruising and events in between—just the way a trick Tri-Five like this should be enjoyed.
(We especially love the special "Thriftmaster" plaque on the LS engine covers that pay homage to the utility sedan's humble beginnings.)
The crowning achievement for the car was when it was picked by the Super Chevy staff for our AMSOIL Best of the Best competition at the '11 Super Chevy Show in Houston. In our online poll, the 150 was chosen the Best of the Tri-Fives from that event. This sent it on to the end-of-the-year national eliminations, and it garnered enough support to be voted the overall champion in that category. Quite an honor for a car with such humble beginnings.