This 1966 Chevy II is an 8-Second Super Nova
The 3.40:1 ring and pinion combo multiples that torque to a set of Strange axles. That’s a challenge to put to the ground, but a set of Mickey Thompson ET Slicks in 32x14x15 mounted on a pair of Weld Prostar 14×15 wheels. Up front are the usual skinnies you see on drag cars, Mickey Thompson ET Fronts in 26x14x15 with Weld 4×15 wheels. While he has the drag chute, a set of Wilwood 11-inch brakes on the front and rear get the car stopped.
Inside, a 7.50-certified cage with a funny car-style driver protection surrounding Wayne as he charges up the quarter-mile. It was designed and built by Rob Gazzoroni of Diversified Metal in Langley, British Columbia. The wood-rimmed Personal steering wheel brings a classic touch to the black leather racing seats. A Jager Safety Equipment four-point harness holds Wayne and potential passenger in the car.
The front chassis is all Classic Performance Products, including the coilover conversion and steering box. The Davenport Engineering back-halved rear has been updated by Krymyr Chassis Works with a Strange Engineering ladder bar and coilover setup to work with the wheelie bars. “Without the wheelie bars,” says Wayne, “the car would go straight in the air at half-track with a frightening ride back down without breaking the front end.”
That beautiful body is a combination of stock metal with a Heidts front clip and frame ties. Of course, the rear portion of the body has been tubbed to fit those massive slicks. The hood, while looking like carbon fiber, is all fiberglass with a cowl induction scoop by Token Fiberglass. The bodywork to make everything straight was done by Corvette Specialties with Glen Iggulden shooting it in Victory Red. Without the parachute and wheelie bars, you could almost assume this was a street car.
Oh, you’re probably wondering what the best this car ran at LS Fest West this year. He made it all the way to the finals but lost due to breakout of his dial-in time. Though, it ran an 8.20 ET at 170-MPH when it did that while coming over the scales at 2970-pounds. Wayne says that there are some simple fixes that are coming that will finally put the car into the seven-second bracket. “I can’t wait,” he says with excitement.
Who would have thought that going to a smaller engine would produce such a result? Even Wayne doubted it until it happened. Now, he’s expecting to go faster before the end of the year. If you’re in British Columbia, Canada and you see a certain, twin-turbo Victory Red ’66 Chevy II pull up beside you, you might want to make sure you’re going faster than eight-seconds or he’s going to drive right around you.
