Certainly the aid of Cytech's...
Certainly the aid of Cytech's Double2Park lift assisted the staff at Muscle Car Restorations in the final assembly of the Holley Project Road Runner. Yes, those rare bumperettes were on the original 383 Road Runner that we began with!
While they carry a Hooker...
While they carry a Hooker medallion, credit goes to Balow and his crew at Muscle Car Restorations, who fabricated the headers for the raised exhaust-port Indy Cylinder Head alloy heads. Armed with a series of U-bends and flanges from Holley Performance Products' Hooker brand, John crafted the headers that were first trial fit and then sent to HPC for their proprietary thermal barrier coating.
The mark of any completed project is the attention to details. It was John Balow's attention to detail that urged us to consider him as the project captain on the Holley Project Road Runner. We were duly impressed with his '64 Race Hemi-powered Plymouth that graced our April 1999 cover ("Understated," pg. 28). Once we had seen that, we knew there was only one source that could deliver the car on time and on budget with pure musclecar styling and modern performance engineering.
Much of this car came down to the last month. Not only did John maintain perfect body-panel gaps, but he also handled everything from the installation of the restoration components---the majority of which were supplied by Year One--to the hot-rod street-performance components.
Next month you'll see the final results, but for now, we want to show you some of the minor details that make this Road Runner a major success.
Here, the finished headers...
Here, the finished headers are test-fit to the actual engine in a dummy engine compartment.
With the headers and the remainder...
With the headers and the remainder of the drivetrain in place, John Balow took the Road Runner to a local exhaust shop where a mandrel-bent exhaust system that exits below the bumper was installed. The exhaust note comes via Flowtech mufflers, a Holley Performance Parts brand.
For an authentic musclecar...
For an authentic musclecar appearance, Balow used Stainless Steel Exhaust tips. They offer a wide variety of Mopar exhaust tips, so call them to determine whether they have a style you need.
From the beginning, Ken Lazzeri...
From the beginning, Ken Lazzeri of Indy Cylinder Head was all for the Holley 950 cfm Pro Series carburetor (PN 80497). This lightning-quick vacuum secondary carb is fed by a full Holley/Earl's fuel system.
To gain perfect throttle operation,...
To gain perfect throttle operation, Balow turned to purveyor of street-rod linkages, Lokar Industries, for their ultra-trick throttle-cable system that links the carburetor to the accelerator pedal.
Here, the cable is attached...
Here, the cable is attached to a fixed point below the rocker panel.
Concours Creations provided...
Concours Creations provided a concours-correct wiper motor. Perfect for a 100-point show Mopar or a 600-horsepower big-block hot rod, it's another distinctive component for all Mopars.
Off-the-shelf components were...
Off-the-shelf components were matched with ace fabrication to fit the Vintage Air R134a air-conditioning system. This photograph shows the compact size of the aftermarket system.
Another hand-crafted part...
Another hand-crafted part was the accessory drive system. Balow and his crew fabricated it with straightforward bracketry and V-groove pulleys.
Vintage Air's system included...
Vintage Air's system included these dash-mounted controls that look right at home in the austere Mopar interior adjacent to the wiper and washer controls.
Again, the new technology...
Again, the new technology was blended with the old. Here's the Powermaster high-amp alternator and the routing of the V-drive belts.
AutoMeter gauges, including...
AutoMeter gauges, including a steering-column-mounted tachometer, round out the instruments monitoring the big 542ci Mopar Wedge engine built by Indy Cylinder Head.
Right out of the Holley trick...
Right out of the Holley trick parts bin came the Holley Annihilator Race Cell battery. Small and light, it fit perfectly up front, eliminating the need for relocation to the trunk. Note the Tor-Red valve covers that match the PPG hues on the body panels.
Auto Vision Center of Eau...
Auto Vision Center of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is one of John's long-standing subcontractors. They provided a polished and properly tinted windshield for the Road Runner as well as polished side and rear glass.
Muscle Car Restorations turned...
Muscle Car Restorations turned to Auto Top Shop of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for installation of the Year One-supplied interior components including the Legendary Auto Interiors vinyl seat upholstery kits.