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Patrick McCarthy

Recent Posts by Patrick McCarthy:

Video: Going All-In with an 800hp '66 Nova

"It was never supposed to be this full build... One thing led to another, and it just kept going and going. And eventually I said 'you know what, let's just go all-in like we're in Vegas at the tables,'" said James Harris, the owner of this '66 Nova. The car was recently featured in a video by YouTube channel AutotopiaLA that gives us a closer look at some of its intricate details. It's powered by a 454ci LSX engine that's currently making about 800 horsepower at the crank.

Vice Grip Garage's "Frankenstein" 1973 Duster

"It's not perfect, and that's great. That's the whole point! You can slide this around in gravel, you can park it at Walmart and get dings, you can go enjoy some backroads. The kids can eat ice cream in it," said Derek Bieri of Vice Grip Garage. We can appreciate this sentiment, since keeping a classic car in flawless showroom condition is always a challenge, and accepting a car's small imperfections can make the day-to-day driving experience more relaxing. In a recent series of videos, Bieri shows how he saved this 1973 Duster from rusting away in a field, and rebuilt it with some parts from Classic Industries.

All Chevy Performance: Chevy Nova Gas Tank Replacement DIY Guide

Every gearhead knows the importance of regular oil changes, but when was the last time you considered the condition of your vehicle's fuel system? Over the years, sediment and debris can accumulate inside the gas tank, and while the fuel filter should stop it from entering the engine, it can cause other kinds of havoc. Such was the case for All Chevy Performance's 1977 Nova project — rust inside the tank had clogged up the fuel gauge sending unit, causing the car to run out of gas unexpectedly.

Video: '57 Chevy with Wild 8-Stage Fade Paint

For a skilled painter, every inch of a vehicle's sheet metal is blank canvas. Adding vivid color, depth, and gloss is an extremely painstaking process, but the results speak for themselves. This 1957 Chevy built by Kelly & Son Crazy Painters in California is a perfect example of how much a great paint job can transform a vehicle. However, a closer look will reveal that there's also a lot of intricate metalwork, electronics, and a potent 600-horsepower supercharged V8 under the hood. AutotopiaLA interviewed Mitch Kelly of Crazy Painters about all the details of this '57 Chevy.

The Reformer: ICON's Twin-Turbo 1970 Suburban Restomod

Restomods are often a way of reimagining a classic vehicle for the current year, with upgrades that mimic the parts you'd find on a top-of-the-line brand-new vehicle. But the team at ICON took a different approach to this 1970 Chevy Suburban restomod project, instead choosing to study design and architecture from the 1970s to determine what this truck could have looked like with a different designer from its original era. The result is a sleek and subtle truck with a surprising number of intricate details.

4-Speed Therapy: 1978 Trans Am WS6 W72

"It's a head-turner, not only when it's going down the road but when it's sitting still. When people are out on the street and I get on that thing, it just turns heads! You don't see that today," said Gary Plowman, the owner of this '78 Pontiac Trans Am. His car features the famous WS6 suspension package and W72 T/A 6.6L V8 engine — a combination of options that made the Trans Am a top-tier performer, even alongside the Camaro Z28 and Corvette of that era. A recent video from Hemmings' Tested Muscle series takes a closer look at this bright red Trans Am.

1989 Mustang TKX Transmission Swap: A Stronger 5-Speed for the Fox Body

The Fox Body Mustang is becoming an increasingly popular platform for restoration and resto-modding, and it's easy to see why. It offers timeless style at an affordable price point. The Fox platform also has enormous performance potential for those of us who love to go fast. The 5.0L V8 and Borg-Warner 5-speed manual that came with this 1989 Mustang GT are a great starting point for tuning, but owner Gabe Flores — the Brand Manager here at Classic Industries — wanted performance on par with modern-day muscle cars. So, he teamed up with Mustang Hub Magazine and American Powertrain to install a Tremec TKX transmission that can hold even more power than the stock Borg-Warner T5.

"The King of Towing" - The Big-Block-Powered Suburban 2500

Today, most SUVs are unibody crossovers equipped with small, fuel-efficient engines. But back in the 1990s, during the heyday of General Motors' GMT400 body-on-frame truck and SUV platform, things were done differently. Both Chevrolet and GMC offered their own versions of the heavy-duty 3/4-ton Suburban 2500 with an optional 454ci big-block engine. This was no four-cylinder pushover or six-cylinder commuter — it was the 7.4L V8-powered beast Motor Trend magazine called "the king of towing." And in addition to its towing capacity, it was big enough to carry the whole family in luxurious comfort.

A Mopar Masterpiece: The '71 Plymouth GTX

When you think of a Mopar muscle car, what comes to mind? Many of us envision a top-of-the-line Hemi-powered Charger, Challenger, or 'Cuda — all excellent cars, but their widespread popularity has made them increasingly costly and tricky to find in good condition. This has drawn attention to some of the less prominent Mopar muscle cars, like this restored 1971 Plymouth GTX. "For some, the styling cues weren't that attractive back in the day, but right now in 2023, these are some of the most popular Mopars that you can actually buy," explains Hemmings' video host Mike Musto.

Video: '66 Nova with a 1,000hp Supercharged LS3

Classic looks, modern handling, and a whole lot of horsepower — that's a wonderful combination. Pro-touring builds like this '66 Nova preserve the timeless style of a classic car while adding track-ready handling, braking, and acceleration. Tony, the owner and builder of this car, originally built his Nova with a 430hp V8, but learned that he still wanted more power. So, he swapped in an LS3 engine with a TVS 2650 supercharger that produces approximately 1,000 horsepower.