EMC Picture Stream

1979 Chevy Monte Carlo

 

The journey of Bob’s Monte Carlo goes back many years just like most people. After a divorce and other personal issues he realized while out in Vegas with friends that he needed to get back to who he was and do something for him. Being broke and struggling to get by he knew it would be a challenge but it was what he needed to do for himself. Bob has a long list of cars he would love to own just like all of us. While searching on craigslist as far as PA there came across a 1979 Monte Carlo. The ad was over a month old but he figured what the hell and sent an email inquiring about it. After a few days there was no response. So he moved on and picked up a 1985 S-10 that he wanted to do a SBC swap in. 2 days after purchasing the s-10 he got a response about the Monte Carlo , stating it was still available and he had been away on vacation. So Bob headed out Long Pond, PA right passed the Pocono race way to take a look at the car. Having no money but this being the car he has always wanted to build, with a $1800 cash advance on his credit card he headed out. 

His first impression as he walked up the drive way and saw it was “This is it”. He negotiated and got it for $1500 leaving him just enough money to put insurance on it and drive it back to long island. His brother took him out to PA for go pick it up and was amazed at the condition and how well it ran. With only some minor rust issues it was clean, straight and solid floor pans. The car had the original 305 with a rebuilt th350 trans and highway gears in the rear. Black with the white vinyl interior, working radio, and the car didn’t need much other than a new windshield.

Bob drove the car around for a month until a bearing in the transmission blew a leak and that’s where it all started. In his spare time he was flipping, scraping and parting out cars with his brother for some extra money. One car they picked up as a late 80s suburban with a 350 motor for $300. Bob took that motor and pulled out the tranny out with it. Doing the normal cam, intake and carb swap and fixing the trans while he was at it. He scrapped the suburban for $450 making a nice profit and getting a better motor while he was at it. The next step was to change the heads, the motor had been dying at 4500 rpm and needed to be changed. The set of heads for the motor fell in his lap, or should we say on his foot. His brother owned him some money so in exchange he got a set of trick flow heads, the same heads that had fallen on his foot breaking a bone.

The car was just supposed to be a budget build to cruise around with, do some burn outs and enjoy. The beginning of what the car is now started with a tax refund, the first real money he would put into the car. Bob bought an 8.5 rear and drive shaft for the car and bought new upper and lower control arms from UMI. Still continuing to do side work with his brother he picked up a 010 bare block and complete long block for $200. Bob was able to flip the motor for $900 after putting in a cam and lifters. Having a few extra bucks and a good strong bare block, his friend’s engine builder just so happen to have a 383 stroker kit from a previous customer. A motor that was the top choice he wanted and so the build began.

This is about where most of us met Bob and his infamous build thread started and brings us to what it is today. It’s a 383 pump gas powered small block chevy with a th350 transmission and a ford 9” with 4.56 gears. The 10 point roll cage and anti roll bar were done by Thrift-way Auto in Hempstead . There are many plans for the car, New transmission, take more weight out of the car, frame notch and mini tub, and eventually some nitrous. 

To speak to Bob today, go to our Members Section -  Bob. Or you can just find Bob floating around our website, as he is a Moderator. Great, super smart funny car guy. Trust us when we say, he drives his Monte Carlo a lot on the street as well as the track.

1996 Chevy Impala SS

Matt's story of getting his Impala SS was a sad story that had a happy ending. Some may remember Matt's 1986 Monte Carlo SS, which he was forced to sell. Matt knew that if given the chance, if he found a Impala SS that he liked, he would get it. And after a good amount of time searching, he finally found one.

The Impala has an LT1 Corvette motor, fuel injected. Matt put the stock 17inch wheels back on, Flowmaster exhaust, stereo system and a K&N Cold Air Filter. Then Matt tinted the rear tail lights and installed aftermarket smoked headlights.

Matt does have future modifications on the list. Which he says will eventually get done. Like an LT4 with aluminum heads, GM Hot Cam, shift kit in the transmission, Hotchkis suspension and some interior conversion work.

We love stories with a happy ending and can't wait for Matt to finish his Impala SS the way he wants it and enjoy it with no more forced sells in sight. To speak to Matt today, go to our Members Section - FadesSS13.

1981 Pontiac Trans Am

Mike is like the unofficial mechanic of EMC. He just about works on majority of the vehicles in the club at some point. Mike has been working on cars since he was 16 years old and was a regular on Francis Lewis Blvd. He has owned over 40 cars in his lifetime (we will spare you the long list but can assure you, he has had some sweet rides.) Most members may remember Mike's 1991 Ford Mustang when he joined. Which he sold for his now 1981 Pontiac Trans Am.

Mike bought the car because of the condition of the body, interior and under carriage. And Mike being Mike, it wasn't going to stay stock for long. The Trans Am originally started out being a 4.9 Turbo Trans Am. Mike started out removing and completing the drivetrain, rebuilding the turbo 400 with a shift kit, lower first gear set and a PTC 2500 stall converter 10 inch and trans cooler. The 12 bolt rear was completely rebuilt with larger axels and 3:73 gears. The new motor was done by Sandoval Racing in Brooklyn. Mike got a fresh big block Chevy 396, 10 to 1 compression, solid roller cam, Holley 750 carb and an Edelbrock intake. He also did a aluminum radiator and a big electric fan that pushes a lot of cfm. The Trans Am has a Holley fuel system with a stock gas tank and sumped.

As for looks Mike changed the wheels a few times from the reproduction Pontiac wheels to Weld Wheels and MT tires and drag radials and slapped on a fiberglass hood.

As for future modifications Mike plans to clean up the interior by getting a new carpet installed, body panels and seat covers. But, with NOS on his mind he is thinking of putting that in as well.

Mike is at every EMC track rental along with most cruise nights with the Club. He KNOWS his stuff. He is willing to give advice and work on your car if interested. Aside from being a great mechanic, he also runs cars at the track for anyone. Great, funny guy and a senior EMC Member. To speak to Mike today, go to our Members Section - ham.

1967 Pontiac Firebird

If you aren't a fan of 60's Firebird's, we are sure looking at Paulie's 1967 Pontiac Firebird will change your view. It is one of the sweetest, cleanest, well built 60' Firebird's we have seen around this area. And trust us, you'll want his.

Paulie bought the car in 2001. It was located just a few blocks away from his parents house were he grew up in Middle Village, Queens. He was told it had sat there awhile so Paulie took a chance, left a note on the car and later picked it up for just $2,300. The interior was shot, the quarters and fenders were rotted. It had a small block Chevy that had a knock in it and a 4 speed T10 trans. And that's when all the work began!

Paulie had the body work and aint done by May of 2002, the 355 was rebuilt, the interior was put back to stock, the suspension was in. The paint and body were done by Paulie's cousin Hank's shop in Ozone Park, NY - Excel Auto Body. Paulie's cousin Hank also helped him with a lot of the mechanical work.

Later Paulie was able to get a Pontiac 455 and put the overdrive trans in around 2008. As the Firebird sits now, it has a 455 Pontiac motor bored .30 over, 2004r tranny, Hotchkis lowered suspension, Boss 338 rims with Nitto tires 18x8 9.5 in the rear, Procar Rallye low back seats with matching rear seat cover, Holley 750 double pumper carb, Be Cool 4 core aluminum radiator, Stainless steel braided fuel line front to back, Powermaster alternator, custom gauge cluster with Autometer gauges, Dana 60 rear with 354 gears and a custom trunk.

Ever since all the work, Paulie has been enjoying the car ever since. He uses it whenever he gets a chance and loves going for rides with his family in it. As for doing anything in the future with the car, Paulie is sure more mods will come and maybe a/c. We think with the Firebird the way it is, the only thing Paulie needs to do with it is keep driving it! To speak to Paulie today, go to our Members Section - Paulie.

2010 Mustang Shelby GT500

One may remember Ricky's car when he first joined EMC, his silver and black 2010 Camaro SS LS3. Ricky owned it until 2012, when he replaced his Camaro for his new Shelby. As Ricky puts it, "The Camaro couldn't stand a chance against the Shelby, lol. No contest." We loved Rick'y worked Camaro, and are kinda sad to see it gone, but boy do we love what he has been doing with his Shelby!
Ricky since owning the Shelby has replaced the factory 19" wheels with Concave 20's, put Eibach lowering springs, Flowmaster Outlaw Axleback exhaust, rear end gridle cover, Ford side door scoops, Cervini's quarter window scoops and an optional trunk trim panel. Since then, Ricky has just been enjoying the car's drivetrain as is. And let's give credit to where credit is due, Ricky lives and drives this beast around Manhattan!!! Nice!!
Ricky's future modifications include a smaller blower pulley and tune, full length headers and x-pipe, upgraded clutch and a set of slicks. As Ricky claims, "the traction on this car is a joke."
Ricky is a GSE mechanic and has been messing with cars ever since he was fourteen. He has been street racing during the early 90's and has had quite a few cars over the years from Mopars to Ford's to imports and even his first GM, a Grand National. Personally, we think Ricky can get whatever he wants, and we will always like it as he makes them look, run and sound good. Ricky is an awesome guy, who will drive his cars just about anywhere to hang out. If you haven't met him yet, you will! To speak to Ricky today, go to our Members Section - FORSAKEN70.

1987 Buick Grand National

Some like to think of Elvis as being the King of Rock N' Roll - We like to think of Greg as the King of G-Bodies. Reason being, not only has Greg owned over 60 cars in his life, 20 of them have been G-Bodies. And aside from us featuring Greg's Grand National, he also has a G-Body wagon, Grand Prix and a T-Type (this is just naming the current G-Bodies he owns, he also has other cars if you can believe it). And Greg being Greg, NOTHING is ever stock or what it seems! Be jealous, because you really should be.

Greg has owned his Grand National since 2003 and is the 2nd owner. With 60,000 miles on the car, and 1,200 on the new motor. The GN was an ATR built, applied technologies and research built car back in 1994 and was painted Mercedes black back in Florida.

His GN is a stock 8.5 GN rear, 3:73 gears and C Clip illiminators. In 1996 a 2004r trans was done with a 10inch, "the real Art Carr" converter. His GN is a stock 3.0 production block, 20 over Wiesco pistons, stock rods, 2 main caps, center location, roller cam, steel Champion heads, ported and polished with a ported matched stock intake, Precision 67 Turbo, 60lb injectors, RJC 3 inch downpipe, Poston Headers, Magnaflow 3 inch exhaust and CDomplete ATR suspension. And with all that done, of course Greg has custom wheels, custom fog lights, gauges and a nice sound system. Looks good, sounds good and moves good, just like how Greg likes it.

As for future plans, one never knows for sure, because Greg buys and sells his cars like one would shop for clothes. You never know what he is going to show up with, how he is going to build it and when it's gone. All we can suggest is keep close tabs on Greg, be his friend and know his cars, because when he is ready to sell, you'll want to buy it!!!

To speak to Greg today, go to our Members Section - v6sleeper.