1968 Dodge Charger R/T

 

Empire Muscle Cars likes to think of Greg as the Ultimate Dodge Charger guy.... After seeing what he has done with both of his Chargers, one can say that name definitely suits him well! Greg got this Charger back when he was 19. He saw a black 68' Hemi 4speed Charger in 1985 cruising around a hot spot in Levittown, Long Island, and just knew he had to have one. After locating an automatic and a 4speed, he felt he didn't even need to go look at the automatic. Ahhhh, love at first sight! The car was in driving condition, but somewhat rough. Importantly, it still had it's numbers matching engine, transmission and documentation (build sheet, Certicard, fendertag.) It almost overheated getting it back home, but with luck he made it. The Charger needed the old Holley water injection kit that was installed on it. At the time, Greg admits, he knew nothing about cars.... couldn't even change spark plugs at that point.
But like all bitten by the bug, Greg had work done on the car, and sadly the classic story of being ripped off by shops and individuals occurred. This made Greg want to do all the work needed on his Charger himself. And so the learning began. After driving the car around in rough condition for a few years, Greg took it off the road in 1988 and did what he considers a mini-restoration. In August of 1993 Greg was ready to attempt a paint job. After months of bodywork and block sanding, Greg painted the Basecoat/Clearcoat Silver in the back of his Father's carport.
In 2004 after years of street racing, Greg decided it was time to pull the numbers correct motor and change things up a bit. He rebuilt the engine and built a higher performance version of the 440 Magnum. It is 10.6:1 compression that runs on pump gas, and he forged the pistons, stock crank and rods, solid lifter cam, Edelbrock aluminum heads that he cleaned up the bowls and polished the ports. Greg then ran a dual plane intake manifold for a good bottom end power for the street, and a Holley HP 950 cfm carb. The Charger has 2" Hooker Super Comp and a homemade 3" exhaust with an X pipe. Greg raced the Charger at the track for 4 years and reached his goal with that setup.
In 2006 Greg replaced the original Hemi 4speed transmission with a Tremec TKO600 5 speed transmission with a Spec Stage 3+ clutch. At the same time, he upgraded the U-joints to 1350 size after grenading the originals as well as twisting the transmission yoke. Greg races the car as much as possible now and drives it whenever time allows.
Greg feels he owes all of his skills to working on autos like his '68. It has given him the confidence to attempt things he never thought he could accomplish, auto related or not. His latest challenge has been to make the necessary modifications to the Carburetor metering blocks to make them fully adjustable in all the circuits. When Greg accomplishes this, his air/fuel ratios throughout all loads and throttle positions will be exactly where he wants them to be and run very similar to Fuel Injection. Greg says he is having some success, but has much more testing/tuning sessions to go.
At this point, Greg has accomplished body repair, paint and detailing to add on his check list. Along with Mig welding, leadwork on body seams, engine building and some blueprinting, manual transmission rebuilding, general restoration.   Some things I wish to accomplish in the near future: Tig welding, Acetylene torch welding, and a rear end rebuild and setup on the Dana 60 Rear end. 

 For a guy who learned along the way, he pulled of one really sweet achievement - The outcome of his Charger. Greg certainly should take all the glory, as he did it all his own. We are very impressed with Greg's Charger as everything Greg has done has been done nicely and with precision. A first time around learning experience this Charger deserves more than just a Car of the Month spot. Let's also take the time to remember that Greg also has a 1968 Dodge Charger he is building as a Drag car. It will be a large cubic inch engine with a supercharger and a Jericho 4speed transmission that is ready to go! Greg is shooting for the mid 8's in the 1/4 mile with this side project. It's a backhalved car with a 4 link rear suspension... Oh, and yes, this too is being built at home, all by Greg!
If you love Dodge, especially the Charger you should pay attention to Greg.... A truly gifted guy doing great things with these cars we give him major credit and can't wait to keep watching everything he does. Greg is a respected member, car builder and drag racer - Speak to Greg today in our Members Section - 68Hardchargerrt.  

1976 Pontiac Trans Am

 

Joe purchased his Trans Am 15 years ago from his best friend Tony, only one month after he purchased it from the original owner in Brooklyn. The Trans Am was hurting, the body and interior were in good shape but the engine was smoking and the Transmission was slipping. And in Joe's words, "That's how it started, there is not a bolt left unturned." Over the years he has been restoring it and enjoying it at the drag strip and around town. And even though it's not the same year Pontiac - Joe's TA would make Burt Reynolds mustache blow off back in the good ol' Smokey The Bandit days!

The car currently has a 400 engine stroked to a 461. Most of the internals are from Nunzi's Automotive in Brooklyn. The heads are Edelbrock 72cc's and the machine work was done by long time friend Dave Williams of Williams Engine in Freeport. The assembly and head work was done by Joe himself. The transmission is a turbo 350 with full manual valve body built by Eric Schertz. The converter is a 4500 stall 8" by Pro-torque rear end is a 10 bolt from an 80' Trans-am with disc brakes with 3.90 gear set, posi unit & c-clip eliminators built by Joe. The intake is a prototype Northwind by Kauffman. The carb is a 950 cfm built by AED.

All the original sheet metal and most of the interior is in great condition. Joe tried to keep those parts as stock as possible. But, Joe says, "don't sleep!" His Trans Am has run in the 10's off the foot brake! And for 3700 lbs. - that's not bad!

Joe has been Drag Racing since a teen and has over 18 years experience in automotive work in a machine shop through high school and is currently building Chevy engines as well as Hot Rods and Turbo Buicks. Clearly, what Joe has learned and did over the years has paid off right into his Trans Am. Not only a serious running car, but super clean with combinations unlike any around the area.

Joe's future plans for his Trans Am is to enjoy it and preserve it. Maybe someday he may restore it back to stock, but who knows for sure. All we know is, Joe will never get rid of this car! And with his Trans Am tattooed on his arm, we believe it to be true.

A great, knowledgeable guy with a really cool Trans Am is what we think of Joe! See more pictures of Joe's ride in our News & Announcements section and talk to Joe today in our Members section - nutjob1976

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

 

Mike's super clean Camaro comes with a history like most do... But it's one Camaro that Mike never plans to part with since the day he got it. Rewind back to when Mike was 20 years old (we won't say how old he is now). Back then, Mike had a 69' Camaro that he had gotten for $500 and was three different colors with a worked small block in it. In those days, Mike constantly ran into a guy with a black 69' Camaro that he used to torment and challenge to a race any time he saw him. The guy always declined. It was clear, this guy never abused his 69' Camaro, just cruised. One day, the owner of the black 69' Camaro came to Mike wanting to sell it and Mike made sure he was the guy to get it.

When Mike got the car it had the 327 2 BBL carb and power glide all original 80k and AC. Since then Mike has done the motor. It's a 70 4 bolt mains 202/160 fuelie reproduction heads, 350 trans, nice cam Edelbrock Performer RPM, Holly 650 double pumper, Hooker super comp longtubes, Flowmaster exhaust and 342 posi out of 79 Z plus beefed up springs. The Camaro still has 93K on the clock.

Over the course of time, the Camaro was painted twice with the interior staying the same throughout the years. Mike did most of the work himself and certaintly drove it way more than it's previous owner, even through snow storms and daily driving. But if you ask Mike, his best moments was proposing to his GF in the car and then taking his first son for a ride in it in 2009. And it's with these memories that Mike plans on never selling his 69' Camaro and one day passing down the Chevy to his kids.

And with all this talk of Mike's 69' Camaro, it's not the only Camaro Mike owns. He also has a 2010 Camaro SS that he has been working on that you may also see around a lot considering Mike runs ny5thgen.com. A website dedicated to 5th Generation Camaro's that has a HUGE following and is all over the NY area.

With both Camaro's, Mike still has future plans for his 69', including a LS2 6speed tranny and full suspension. The only thing we wonder at Empire Muscle Cars is, with two hot Camaro's which one does Mike decide on driving when he looks in his driveway, a decision we are sure is a tough one.

Mike is an all around great guy with a great Camaro following and website. We love having him as a Member as he truly is a great car guy to have around and talk with. Speak with Mike today in our Members section - MUCKER15

1986 Pontiac Fiero GT

 

Most Fiero's you see are either stock, or transformed into a bogus kit car.... Troy had other plans for this ONE OF A KIND Fiero. Not only did he transform everything about the car, he didn't change the fact that his car is, down to the bone, a Fiero... And a really fast one at that! Troy's car gets so much attention, we usually know when the car is out due to the crowd that is always formed around it. His Fiero literally will make anyone want to get one and build a remake of what Troy has accomplished here with a really well done custom super fast Fiero. Yes, keep saying it and repeat, this is a Fiero!

There is no doubt that Troy deserved this car....... His first car as a teen was a 1984 Pontiac Fiero that he always wanted to customize but could not afford to being a college student. But all that college paid off for Troy, who started this project 5 years ago and really, hasn't stopped since. We often wonder, what else could Troy do to that thing? Every summer we are surprised by something new and improved! Like the saying goes, "the hits just keep on coming!"

Let's get some modification information in - Yes, you did see it correct, that is a new LS7 motor from GM Performance with a Peterson dry sump system. Custom tubular suspension with Koni adjustable coil overs front and rear. C5 brakes front and rear actually attempt to stop this beast. Maybe the next mod Troy can do is a parachute if he keeps things up. Custom cyno treated GM F460 6speed transmission with LSD. 3" full ceramic coated exhaust system with PYPES mufflers and cats. Upgraded cooling system with a high performance electric water pump and a newly put in, 220 amp alternator. Every other Corvette owner can't help but be jealous, it's true, even if they don't want to admit it.

Let's get over all this small little LS7 motor and mods stuff.... Look wise, judges don't know how to class Troy's car but they all know, it looks GOOD! Troy went all out with and ripped this thing down to the frame and powder coated it along with custom fiberglass wide-body work, 3" chopped roof and custom glass all around. NSX headlights along with some LED lights, HRE rims 20 x 12 in the rear and  19 x 8.5 in the front. VDI vertical doors for extra flavor with Ferrari F430 mirrors. Sweeeeeeeeeeeet.

Of course, Troy needed a nice cockpit to drive around in! With custom fiberglass work covered in black and orange leather and stingray pelt. A navigation system with front and rear camera views, K40 radar and laser system with jammer and a 1500 watt 9 speaker audio system with iPad and iPod dock. We are sure that upgrade was important considering that monster LS7 is right behind Troy's head.

Most of the work was done at a shop just outside Chicago called V8 Archie's, the sound system done by Avenue Sound in Freeport and the interior work which was started in Chicago was covered by our very own Vendor on the site, Phoenix Interiors.

We can say this, we all want this car! Don't be afraid to ever ask Troy about it either, he is as nice as his car and welcomes anyone wanting to know information on it. The world may not know where to class his Fiero or what the hell it even is at first, but in the end, you'll find that itch in your soul to bargain with him to buy it. Speak to our good friend Troy today in our Members section - LS7 Fiero.

1942 Ford Coupe

 

Check out Ken's infamous 1942 Ford Coupe... Why infamous? Ken drives EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE - day and night,  rain, out of state and maybe even some snow, who knows... But there really isn't much that Ken or his 42' Coupe miss. If you haven't seen this Coupe around, then you haven't been around! Sometimes we at Empire Muscle Cars think Ken drives his 42' Coupe more than his daily driver. For us at Empire Muscle Cars, Ken is a great member and addition to this club. He is just as nice as his 42' Coupe AND his 1954 Ford Custom. That's right, Ken has TWO cars, but for now, we'll talk about his 42' Coupe.

The car was an important purchase to Ken because it was the first car he had ever owned long ago. He found this 42' Coupe and purchased it in 2004 from Scranton, Pennsylvania where the restoration process had already been started and was brought back to NY for completion.  
The motor compartment boasts a 350 small block that has been bored out 60 over along with a 350 transmission. It is completely detailed in chrome with Billet accessories. When that foot is put to the pedal, that phat Chevy powerplant responds with true ferocity. 
The Ford did have a complete frame off restoration. The roof has been chopped and the body shaved. The body is all steel except for the rear fenders and the suspension includes 4 bar coil overs. Rebuilt original frame with a straight axle, GM rear end with 3:23 gears, Camaro front discs and 7” dual master,  power disc brakes and power steering augment the old school hotrodding experience the car provides with many modern conveniences. 
The interior has high back bucket seats with a center console and a custom made rear seat  accented with a Le Carra steering wheel. The car has a GM tilt column and cruise control.  The dash boasts  Autometer gauges to keep Ken informed of all the vital signs. Music is provided by a hefty AM/FM radio with a CD player coming through four speakers. And with all that, Air conditioning, heat and defrost are activated with ease.  Power steering, power windows and a power antenna have been installed for modern day comfort. It has many additional features  such as a CB radio, under car lighting, electric wipers and a 22 gallon gas tank.
With all these added features, it's no wonder Ken drives such an old classic so much and so far! And with all the comforts, Ken added some new flare to this old beauty. With a custom paint job, Ken also went for a very different, cool pinstripe design that is unique and makes every body line of his car pop out. There is no place on this Ford you won't stop and see some minor custom paint design. With paint, came custom side mirrors and rear custom tailights along with a nice set of chrome Torq Thrust II's. (not pictured in second picture, we wanted to show off some of that paint)
Ken gets looks everywhere he goes in his Ford simply because everywhere he goes it's appreciated and liked. Ken is definitely a serious addition to our family and if you see him on the road, don't be shy and say Hello but do beware to try and follow him... you never know where he off and moving to! To speak to Ken today, find him in our Members section - kens42ford. 

1994 Mustang / GNX

 

 

Isn't that a Mustang? But wait, that's a Turbo? A GNX? These are probably some of the most heard words Tony must hear whenever he is out in this vehicle he has nicknamed, "Buford."

Tony's Buford (which stands for Buick - Ford) is rare indeed, come on, when was the last or first time you ever saw this combination? Tony really hit the nail on the head in doing something different, and then made it all even better. And if you love it or hate it depending on which side you favor, you simply cannot deny Tony has done something great with this Mustang and did an awesome job piecing it all together and making it work.

Buford was first built in 1992 starting with a 1982 Fox Body Mustang. The Buford you see here on Empire Muscle Cars is a 1994, and the fourth version of the LC2 Buick engine and Mustang body combo. The reason Tony had for building this cross-breed was due to the phenomenal off-the-line performance coupled with an automatic transmission. The Buick engine offered a distributor-less ignition system, a "tunnel-ram" fuel intake and less overall weight than a Ford engine at the time. This engine currently in the Mustang has 200 miles since a fresh rebuild and includes a Billet Roller Cam, Forged Pistons and Ported Heads with larger Stainless Valves matched to a Champion Ported Intake Manifold. The Injectors are 62.5 pounders and the Turbo is a Roller Bearing Unit. A front mount Spearco Intercooler, which is a universal unit with custom Mandrel Bent Tubes fabricated at Full Metal Customs along with a 3" Downpipe.

Now after all that, don't you wish you would have thought to build it first? Don't worry, we are sure Tony will have this car for sale at some point in time, but for now we can all just sit and admire it. And if you are interested in getting some work done, Full Metal Customs is actually Tony's business he started in 2009.  He specializes in appearance, performance and value enhancements to cars, trucks and motorcycles. The body and paintwork done on his Buford were all done at his shop, Full Metal Customs. And that's including the the custom 3-link rear suspension, which is an exmaple of why Buford is a tribute to the DNA of the Regal GNX.

Like all Members here at Empire Muscle Cars, Tony is a great guy and a good friend to all in our group. Keep him in mind for your car one day and bring it over to Full Metal Customs, he'll be more than happy to help you and work on making your car as great as his. Speak to Tony on Empire Muscle Cars by looking him up in our Members section - Mustang/GNX.

1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Mike's Cutlass is wildly known in Long Island and for good reason, LOOK AT IT! We can't say we have ever seen a Cutlass done up right, let alone look this good! Everything about Mike's Cutlass is awesome all around. What makes his Cutlass even cooler, the history behind the car. Mike's father (also a Empire Muscle Car Member) bought this car brand new in 1978. After owning it until 1990 he decided to give it to Mike. The car was a bonding experience between father and son, and this bond got Mike turning wrenches and even leading to a career choice. This bonding experience and learning sessions created one of the rarest 78's we have seen, period. The Cutlass came originally with a 260 V8, but in 1991 Mike threw in a Chevy 350 and drove the car around for 4 years. Then he pulled the engine and did a race ready 350 with NOS and the went 10.70 with that set-up. It stayed this way from 1995 - 2002. That's when Mike went a little more crazier and threw in this BBC 502 Fuel injection set-up, a nice little NOS bottle in the trunk, Turbo 440 with 3000 stall and a gear vendors overdrive unit. Obviously, Mike is going in better directions with this car the older it gets. He put in a Grand National rear with 3:90 gears, 4 wheel disc brakes with B-Body fronts and Cadillac rears. The Transmission was done by Freddie Brown and all the machine work was done by S&S Speed Shop. But Mike didn't just stop on speed and upgrades, he had the car painted back in 1996 to it's current color which is also the factory color, Dark Carman, and had all the chrome redone. Then he even added a wheel set-up that had us asking, where did those wheels come from? Mike went with 18x8 Billet Specialties wheels and Yokohama 245/45/18's. He went even further with the interior , adding an 8 point cage and doing a custom gauge panel using Autometer Phantom gauges and a Kenwood stereo/DVD player. With this story, one can gather Mike wins trophies at every show he attends, and no one is ever surprised by that. He built a great Oldsmobile and did it differently than anyone else. We know this Cutlass will always be an ongoing project, as Mike also hopes to pass his Cutlass down to his sons, just as his father passed it down to him. Mike isn't just a member, but a good guy we'd all be able to call at Empire Muscle Cars a good friend. Speak to Mike on Empire Muscle Cars by looking him up at our Members Section - dr78442

2010 Dodge Challenger R/T

Shawn’s Challenger may be brand new and Purple, but the modifications done to this Dodge go above the norm. What also makes this R/T stand out is it was one of the first heavy modified Challengers around, being the first one to try and do new things and look great doing so. Billet Technology produced a lot of the interior trim dress-up to transform the interior into a total new design of it’s own. With iForged’Sprint’ wheels; 22x8 front, 22x10 rear and Lexani Tires; 255/30/22 front and 295/25/22 rear give this Plum Crazy Purple Pearl rider an even meaner look. We can keep going on looks from the HID custom purple headlights to the vented fenders and blacked out tailights. But let’s not forget, this is a HEMI! 345 cubic inches stock was not enough for Shawn. Shawn went with American Racing Longtube headers with cat-less mid-pipes, Magnaflow Competition series cat-back exhaust, Billet Technology 84.25mm throttle body and HHP Racing Mopar SRT transmission control module and plenty of rare Purple custom pieces. One last thing Shawn didn’t overlook was a fully custom sound system. Let’s put it this way, it has enough sound to DJ 5 blocks worth of block parties. With style if you can’t see him coming, you can certainly hear him coming. A dedicated Mopar Man, this is not Shawn’s first Challenger and he also owns a Dakota R/T truck that is just as customized as his Challenger. All we can say is, Mopar should be in love with Shawn, he makes them look so good! Speak to Shawn on Empire Muscle Cars by looking him up at our Members Section - RT4406