2008 Car Craft Street Machine of the Year

[jeff s]

The competition was held in St Paul this weekend at the Car Craft Nats, with participants competing in a Chassis dyno, Autocross and Braking test.
Randy Johnson's 66 Chevelle won the pre 1981 class.
Equipped with a Schwartz Chassis and Forged Piston LS7.
Randy built the car in his garage. Nice Job!

I was unable to attend due to the death of a friend. Sorry, I missed
it.
Anyone get any pics? please post em.

[fatblockford]

I made it this year for the first time. WOW, alot of beautiful machines. What a great motivator.

[fatblockford]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08065-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08071-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08012-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08002-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08053-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08022-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnationals08016-1.jpg

[jeff s]

Any pics of the cars that were in the SMOY competition?
Thanks

[trapin]

I saw Randy's Chevelle at Autorama back in March. It's one of those cars that just screams to be driven. I hope he's having fun with it this Summer.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/Autorama08038-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/Autorama08039-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/Autorama08041-1.jpg

[BA.]

That's one sweet lookin ride! I dig the color on the big chevy.


Congrats to you too Jeff on providing the 'assist' with some kick-ass parts!

[6fastback7]

they could of done a better job of showing the cars competing in the SM Challenge...the only one i knew competing was that blue Chevelle..and i only knew that cause i seen it run a lap on the autocross and heard them blurb about it on the P.A system. Anyone else know which cars competed against him???? like i dont believe the Ring Bros left there booth correct?
anyways i have some pics i have to upload post em back later

[frankenstang]

Not enough cars signed up for the competition. Next year, I bet they have to turn cars away...

Congrats to Randy on a beautiful car, and to Jeff as well. I knew those parts I was putting together for the last 2 yrs were good for something. :)

[rellim51]

I guess I'm missing what all the fuss is about.

[andrewb70]

I guess I'm missing what all the fuss is about.

Which part don't you understand?

Andrew

[ProdigyCustoms]

Not enough cars signed up for the competition. Next year, I bet they have to turn cars away...
:)

We through our name in the hat and did not get picked. So what cars did compete?

[rellim51]

Well, I've been hearing talk of this car for some time and right now this same thread is on at least 3 boards though none of the others have pictures. I was expecting something ground breaking I guess since several people was making such a fuss about it being home built. Looks like it's a pretty nice car, the hype just had me expecting more.

[tom_a]

Well, I've been hearing talk of this car for some time and right now this same thread is on at least 3 boards though none of the others have pictures. I was expecting something ground breaking I guess since several people was making such a fuss about it being home built. Looks like it's a pretty nice car, the hype just had me expecting more.

Here is a link to a few more pictures. It's an awesome car http://www.lateral-g.net/members/rjohnson/

[camcojb]

Well, I've been hearing talk of this car for some time and right now this same thread is on at least 3 boards though none of the others have pictures. I was expecting something ground breaking I guess since several people was making such a fuss about it being home built. Looks like it's a pretty nice car, the hype just had me expecting more.

having seen it on Power Tour, I can say it stands out in a crowd. I spent a lot of time looking at it in Rochester, and the only other car I spent that much time on (other than the cars I traveled with) was Razor. It is just a cool car.

Jody

[andrewb70]

We through our name in the hat and did not get picked. So what cars did compete?

Vendor cars were not permitted.

Andrew

[6fastback7]

the Chevelle is nice but i wonder if this 69 Roush powered Mustang was competing for the award..i almost missed it sitting in the park..amazing car
Does anyone know any details about it? it was probably one of the nicest 69s ive seen

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08131-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08135-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08134-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08132-1.jpg

[68fusion]

Vendor cars were not permitted.

Andrew

thats cool ....kinda what the car hobby is all about
will make it a must attend next year!

[DB Z28]

That Silver Mustang was outstanding with the BBS wheels also that tubbed out older vett the gold one

[bret]

The silver 69 Mustang looks kinda like mine...only nice. I saw it from a distance but didn't get a chance to see it close up. I DID see a yellow 69 with a handformed aluminum dash. REAL nice.
We submitted the Velocity Camaro for SMOY in St Paul but, as stated above, they didn't want vendor cars to compete. I understand that, but it does seems to penalize us and Prodigy because we happend to make a living in the hotrod industry. I certainly would not trade competing for a real job though!
I didn't see all the SMOY contenders...I did see a mid 70's blue Corvette that was running several good laps at the autocross. There were also several late model Mustangs and Corvettes with competitor stickers on the windsheild. I'm sure that next year Car Craft will refine the process to make it easier for everyone to understand.

[6fastback7]

The silver 69 Mustang looks kinda like mine...only nice. I saw it from a distance but didn't get a chance to see it close up. I DID see a yellow 69 with a handformed aluminum dash. REAL nice.
We submitted the Velocity Camaro for SMOY in St Paul but, as stated above, they didn't want vendor cars to compete. I understand that, but it does seems to penalize us and Prodigy because we happend to make a living in the hotrod industry. I certainly would not trade competing for a real job though!
I didn't see all the SMOY contenders...I did see a mid 70's blue Corvette that was running several good laps at the autocross. There were also several late model Mustangs and Corvettes with competitor stickers on the windsheild. I'm sure that next year Car Craft will refine the process to make it easier for everyone to understand.

Bret your car is awesome too but in a different way..yours is more a drivers car...by the way thanks for letting me sit in yours and get a feel for your tcp rack. Your car sounds good on the track..did anyone beat your time? you seemed a tad quicker then anything i seen run out there..but i only stayed for about 40min or so.
That Roush Mustang looked like it had a full tube chassis and the paint underneath is just as nice as the topside

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08140-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/carcraftnats08133-1.jpg

[Derek69SS]

I missed the deadline to sign up (didn't know anything about it until late) I didn't care about SMOY, i just wanted to do the autocross.

None of that matters though, my fuel pump went south on me on the way to the show. :(

[jeff s]

I guess I'm missing what all the fuss is about.
It's a Street Machine of the Year contest that actually measures how a car performs, and factors that into the results, rather than just how it looks. Basically the old "Real Street Eliminator" contest renamed.
Isn't that what Pro-Touring and G-Machines is about?

I happen to be proud of the fact that the car that won had one of our chassis and LS7 engines in it. It's posted on the boards to inform those who've never seen one of our chassis on the street, that our product really works.
And to give Randy Johnson credit for a job well done in building the car, he's kind shy about tooting his own horn so I did it for him.

Y Gen 3rd Gen was denied participation as well, even though it was built by my son in our garage at home before I started the business and has none of our own products on it.
Thanks

[Josh292]

I was there on saturday, alot of nice cars!!

[Josh292]

the dark gray 69 camaro and 55 chevy were my favorites

[Josh292]

we brought my dads 64 chevelle and took home the best stance award, more of a street/strip car, just thought i'd share

[jeff s]

Here's someone who messed up in the braking test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smYGt9o6eU8

[jknight16]

Ooohhh. That hurts to watch. From that angle it sure doesn't look like there was much room for error.

[6fastback7]

ouch i knew i was missing something at that show...thats way more entertaining then the autocross comp

[6fastback7]

oh i forgot...did anyone catch the bonehead doin a burnout in the park on a busy main road amongst spectators? ..he must of laid 30 ft of rubber doing it...it was late model black GTO...the security caught him and blocked him from going anywhere and he was pleading for some sympathy but i didnt stick around to see if the cops showed up or not.

[MarkM66]

Ooohhh. That hurts to watch. From that angle it sure doesn't look like there was much room for error.

Yeah, looks like a sh$tty area to do any "testing." :hmm: