You have, probably (hopefully), heard someone say: "don't judge a book by its cover." Although originally rooted in a 16th century story by Francois Rebelais, we feel that there is no better example than Mitch Gaines and his beautiful 2000 Pontiac WS6. When we first met Mitch, he didn't exactly strike us as a typical grudge racer. In fact, he seemed more like a reserved, laid back person who wouldn't care much for any sort of dangerous activity. Of course, when we found out he drove a 416 cubic-inch, sprayed TA on slicks, worked as a specialty firearms salesman, and grudge raced on the weekends, our perceptions were shattered. Interested? We were.inline_mediumwraptextright25655990/features/1001gmhtp_2000_pontiac_trans_am_ws61001gmhtp_01_z+2000_pontiac_trans_am_ws6+smoked_rear_tires.jpgTrue

I first met Carlos Saberbein in, of all places, a hotel elevator. We had both just arrived in Kansas City for the LTx Shootout and engaged in the usual elevator small talk. When we split ways, I thought to myself, "Self, that guy was pretty cool, he seemed really excited about being at the race. I wonder which car he drives? Which reminds me, I have got to find a super clean feature car for this next issue, the LT1 fans are starting to foam at the mouth again, we owe them something special." The next morning, as everyone was unloading their cars at Kansas City International Raceway for the LTx Shootout, I calmly perused the pits looking for a car that had all of those feature qualities we look for: good clean lines, a solid drivetrain combination, and a little special something to put it over the top. As I pulled into the Speed Inc. pit area, I immediately knew I had found the car I needed, and, wouldn't you know it, I had already met the owner.inline_mediumwraptextright30985482/features/1001gmhtp_1995_pontiac_trans_am1001gmhtp_01_z+1995_pontiac_trans_am+drag_race_launch.jpgTrue

We're not exactly sure what's in the Houston water supply, but we're relatively positive they should bottle it up and sell it as an energy drink. It seems like every month we feature another sick LSx car from this area, almost always in the 9s and almost always one of the fastest in the country. It should come as no surprise then that this is yet another monster, though unlike the other H-town animals-this one has the size to go with its demeanor. Owner Holloway Houston and builder Nick Field of Fastlane Turbo chose a two-wheel-drive Trailblazer SS as the platform to build a single-turbo LSX that runs 9.89 at 142 mph. Did we mention it can pull the front tires, weighs in at over 5,000 pounds, and is the second-fastest Trailblazer SS in the country?inline_mediumwraptextright25628420/features/1001gmhtp_2007_chevy_trailblazer_ss1001gmhtp_01_z+2007_chevy_trailblazer_ss+sick_burnout.jpgTrue

Sinister TA
Modern dictionaries define the word "sinister" in many different ways, but we believe it could be summed up in this single photograph. Alan Rudisaile is the keeper of the beast, a 370-cubic-inch, single-turbo Trans Am. A bored 6.0-liter iron block stuffed with Diamond pistons and Scat rods breathes off of the Turbonetics T76 turbo, which is usually set to produce around 12 pounds of boost. Behind the motor sits a built T56 and SPEC Stage 4 clutch, which sends power to a fabricated and narrowed 9-inch rearend, and out to a pair of Weld ProStars wrapped in Mickey Thompson drag radials. Of course, almost none of this matters, since if you happen to run up on Alan's Trans Am, you probably won't be able to keep up.inline_mediumwraptextright31308309/features/1001gmhtp_pontiac_trans_am1001gmhtp_01_z+pontiac_trans_am+aftermarket_turbocharger.jpgTrue

Ride quality was neither too firm nor too soft, the Zeta chassis handles expansion joints, railroad tracks, and the occasional pothole with ease-never getting out of shape or rattling. The 80 percent advanced-strength steel frame unibody is extremely stiff, and makes for a very sturdy and solid feel. Mounting the steering rack ahead of the front axle, the engine low and rearward in the front cradle, and the battery in the trunk, GM says, helps contribute to a near 50/50 weight distribution. From the driver's seat this translates to a balanced feel with communicative steering. With more than adequate braking thanks to Brembo four-piston, 14-inch fronts and 12.76-inch rears, about the only complaint you can make about the handling is that, like every other stock car, without right foot input it is guilty of understeer. Our test car had the optional 245/40R19 Goodyear all-season tires, which proved troublesome at the track and during spirited street driving. We would have much preferred the standard summer tires. Combine the variable-ratio steering with the (GXP-specific) FE3 multi-link MacPherson strut front and four-link independent rear suspension, and you have a 196-inch long sedan that feels like a much smaller car.

In the world of high performance, building an all-out race car is relatively simple. You buy the best go-fast parts you can afford, tear out all of the "unnecessary" items like A/C, power anything, and the other seats, bolt on some rear tires and head to the track. It is then, arguably, much more difficult to build a perfect daily driver. These cars need to do everything right, including the power. A constant balance of style, function, horsepower, and reliability, the daily driver poses many challenges that only certain people and certain builders can overcome. Of course, if you also happen to require an almost completely stock presence and you want to make over 700-rear-wheel horsepower, well, let's just say you've got your work cut out for you.inline_mediumwraptextright27135844/features/1001gmhtp_2006_pontiac_gto1001gmhtp_01_z+2006+pontiac_gto.jpgTrue

Flamin' Bird
Michelle Halliwell of Bristow, Virginia, is the proud owner of this gorgeous Pontiac, and for good reason. Starting with a bone stock 2000 Formula, Michelle has carefully modified and tweaked almost everything to make sure her car stands apart from the crowd. The most striking modification is the wild custom flame job, which is laid over a Trans Am WS6 hood and front bumper. American Racing Torque Thrust M wheels complete the killer stance, while hinting at the performance that lies beneath. Using a stock LS1 short-block, stuffed with a Speed Inc. 231/237 camshaft and topped with an LS6 intake, Michelle reports making 405 rwhp and 388 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to embarrass the local Mustang boys.inline_mediumwraptextright27120700/features/1001gmhtp_2000_pontiac_formula1001gmhtp_01_z+2000_pontiac_formula+custom_flames_paint_job.jpgTrue

Super Hawk
As a mechanical engineering student at Purdue University, Kyle Humbert probably doesn't have too much free time on his hands. When not hitting the books, he is cruising in his beautiful '99 Trans Am, which has a great blend of good looks and brute force. Immediately obvious are the 18-inch HP Evo wheels and SuperHawk Ram Air hood, which perfectly complement the lines of this TA. Underneath the exterior is a lightly modified LS1, which has a Thunder Racing 230/232 camshaft, LS6 intake, FLP long-tube headers, and a Corsa cat-back to help it breathe. A stock T56 turns a set of 4.10 rear gears, which help Kyle get from class to class in plenty of time.inline_mediumwraptextright25911665/features/1001gmhtp_1999_pontiac_trans_am1001gmhtp_01_z+1999_pontiac_trans_am+custom_body_kit.jpgTrue

Street Stalker
This homebuilt street stalker belongs to Scott Engledowl of Texarkana, Arkansas, and has already gone as fast as 10.58 at 125.88 mph on motor. A 370-cubic-inch 6.0-liter iron block is filled with the good stuff, including forged rods and Mahle pistons. Texas Speed 2.5 LS6 heads bring the compression to 11:1, while a 236/242 camshaft brings in the noise. A built 4L60E and Moser 9-inch take all of the abuse, twisting a set of 275/60/15 Mickey Thompson ET Street radials. Scott tells us that some new parts and a nitrous system have found their way onto his car and he is expecting to make some 9-second passes in the fall. Not bad for a daily driver.inline_mediumwraptextright27121042/features/1001gmhtp_chevy_camaro_z281001gmhtp_01_z+chevy_camaro_z28+performance_chevy_370_engine.jpgTrue

The LSX community, although quite large, remains a very intimate and close-knit group of enthusiasts. From time to time there are "rogue cars" that pop up, seemingly out of nowhere, run fast and then disappear again. However, for the most part, if you look close enough, you can watch a car coming up through the ranks as we have for a couple of years. Such is the case with Tommy Herrschaft and his '99 Camaro SS (although he probably didn't know it). Starting with a stock car and developing into a beautiful 9-second street ride wasn't done overnight, but according to Tommy the fun was in the journey, not the end result.inline_mediumwraptextright25647992/features/0911gmhtp_1999_chevy_camaro_ss0911gmhtp_01_z+1999_chevy_camaro_ss+burnout.jpgTrue

There are some cars, like people, that you just can't help but like. This '96 Trans Am, along with its owner Charles Obstfelder, certainly fit this mold. When we first met Charles, he had just made an eight-hour journey from Chicago to Kansas City to compete in the LTx Shootout. Not two seconds after the truck and trailer stopped in the parking lot, he jumped out, a bottle of quick detail and microfiber towel in hand, ready to make sure his '96 Trans Am was looking as good as it was going to run. Most of the time, a "waxer" isn't much of a racer, but you know what you get when you assume things. Turns out, Charles would go on to be the Extreme Street Power Adder champion, along with running a blazingly fast 10.46 at 131 mph, on a mildly built LT1 with ported stock heads and a 4L60E.

Fueled and lit, power is transferred through a custom-built PTC converter to a Lonnie Diers-built sprag-less TH400 transmission. A 3-inch driveshaft mates to a Mark Williams fabricated 9-inch, which sends power outwards via a 3.90 rear gear and Strange 35-spline axles to a pair of 295/65R15 Mickey Thompson drag radials. "The car drives like it is on a rail." Tony uses a set of custom upper and lower control arms in the rear and a Wolfe antiroll bar helps keep him straight. A pair of QA1 springs and shocks keep the rear in line, while a set of AFCO shocks and TRZ upper and lower A-arms attempt to keep the front end on the ground. The setup from Markow Racecars must be killer, as Tony has gone as quick as a 1.31 60-foot, no small feat in a turbo drag radial car.

Call 911
Ben Strader of Columbus, MS, is what some would call a diehard GM guy. "It always amazes me how on a bad day, I can get into my Z28, open up the throttle, and the raw power and acceleration can put all my troubles behind me just like blowing by a Cobra." To power his '95 Z28, Ben installed a stout 8.8:1 383 LT1 with AFR 180cc CNC heads; a custom 244/254-duration, 0.570/0.570-inch lift, 114 LSA camshaft; and a ton of strong internals. Using a Lunati Sledgehammer crankshaft to spin a set of Oliver billet rods and a set of -20cc Diamond pistons, Ben built a tough short-block to take a ton of boost. A Procharger D-1SC is pullied for 15 psi, which helps this LT1 put down 614 rear-wheel horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque, enough power to spin all the way to a 11.2 at 129 mph, an impressive trap speed.

Trust Me
With 773 ProCharged horsepower on board, Reza Koranki of Edmond, OK, could have hot-pink wheels on his Trans Am and he would still get our attention. Instead, he rides on a set of gorgeous 17-inch Fikse FM/10 wheels, which makes this one of the cleanest TA's on the planet. Reza's ride is powered by a 396 cubic-inch LS1, built by Brett Seaberg of XP Racing and stuffed with Diamond pistons, Eagle H-Beam rods, and a Lunati crankshaft. A set of AFR 205cc heads are commanded by a custom 224/232-duration, 0.581/0.585-inch lift, 115 LSA camshaft, which was chosen to perfectly match the ProCharger D-1SC head unit. An XP Racing Stage 3 4L60E moves power back to the Moser 12-bolt, which sees dragstrip duty wearing a pair of 325/50/15 M/T drag radials, mounted on a set of Bogart Fluted Drag Stars. Whether in street or track trim, we would recommend keeping an eye out for this killer TA.

Papaya C5
Rick Kim can rest assured that his beautiful, custom C5 will never go unnoticed. Dripping with layers of brilliant Audi Papaya Orange and rolling on a set of 19x9.5 and 20x11 iForged Classics, it is almost impossible to take your eyes off of. Of course, if you are going to look like a super-car, you better run like one, and for this Rick built a stout LS6 using Crower rods, Diamond pistons, and a stock crank topped with a set of AFR 205cc cylinder heads. A Comp Cams XER lobed 234/238 camshaft helps make 444 rwhp and 392 lb-ft of torque, which sounds awesome through a pair of Kooks long-tube headers and Borla Stinger mufflers. To help put all this power to the ground Rick upgraded to a set of ZO6 leafs and Bilstein shocks, with '06 ZO6 brake calipers bringing everything to a halt in a hurry.

Car Feature 2000 Camaro SS
"It took everything I had to not punch him in the face. We took the car, the pieces of the motor, and all the spare parts, loaded them in the trailer and left. That was over two years ago, it has been a long road." Like any great adventure, Bobby Lashley's quest for an 8-second, all-motor race car is filled with heartache and joy, defeat and eventually, victory. To fully understand just how far this car has come, we need to start at the beginning, when this 2000 Camaro was a bone stock daily driver, driven by Bobby's son Morgan Lashley.

So much time has elapsed from the inception of the fifth-generation Camaro to now that it seems many GM faithful have boiled over, like a pot of water, in anticipation. In our current culture of high-speed Internet, digital cable TV, fast food, etc., patience is a virtue no longer coveted. But if you intend to buy a 2010 Camaro that is exactly what you will need. Between the current instability in the dealer network to the limited allocation of new Camaros being dolled out, it may take some perseverance in acquiring one. However, GM's precise ordering process will at least ensure that you will get exactly what you want. GM has already taken some lumps on the message boards because of the continued wait, but it's apparent how much is at stake (given GM's financial situation) and the implications of a major recall or mechanical flaw. Furthermore, few owners have given a less than glowing review of their new hot rod. These are two small, but very important, steps in the right direction. Now this begs the question, is the new Camaro worth the wait?

Driving through South Beach, it seems easy to become numb to the plethora of "me too," six-figure supercars. After hearing "Hey, did you see that Ferrari?" and "Wow, look at that Lambo!" for the twentieth time, it almost became mundane. It was in this moment of supercar boredom that I first saw Alcides Martinez's '02 Trans Am and I was immediately reminded what it means to be truly unique. You see, anyone can go out and lease an Italian supercar and feel special, right up until another one pulls next to them at a stoplight. To really stand out, you have to dedicate yourself to a project, make it your own and build it for yourself, instead of for the masses. For Alcides, this Trans Am is more than just another car, it is an expression of himself and his goals. "I wanted to be unique, so I made it my goal to have a built motor, turbocharged, full street, full accessory, 1-of-9 Maple Red Metallic 2002 Trans Am."

Car Feature 2004 Pontiac GTOYou know a guy like Matt Reesor. Maybe you work with him, maybe you're friends with him, or maybe you see him at the grocery store. You pull up after two weeks of pouring rain and your car is filthy. Covered in road grime, old bird droppings, and brake dust, you tell yourself, it's OK, it's my daily driver and this is what all daily drivers look like. Then, he passes by. You hear it first, that low rumble only a cammed LS1 can make. Rounding the corner you see it, spotless. As if someone followed him, cleaning it at each traffic light, the car still looks brand new. All the gaps line up, the front bumper has no bugs embedded in it and the wheels look as if he has never even used the brakes. You think to yourself, how? How is it possible to keep something that clean? He must never drive it. He probably has no miles on it and never gets to enjoy it like I enjoy mine. "For the last three years this has been my only car, I drive it every day. I bought it used with just 1,900 miles on it. It's coming up on 45,000 now." You immediately loathe his seemingly perfect existence.

Car Feature 2007 ZO6 CorvetteBefore we delve into the details, it is critical to understand one thing about this 2007 ZO6. This is a street car. A street car with air conditioning, heated seats, and no rollcage. It runs on pump gas, drives to the track and runs 8.81 at 154 miles per hour. It is, currently, in a class all of its own as the fastest C6 ZO6 in the country. A couple of years ago, the 8-second zone was reserved for full-out race cars, the kind that couldn't drive two miles even with a spare can of race gas and a prayer. Today, it is guys like Issac Forrest and Fran Schatz that are pushing the envelope of technology. Starting with one of the best GM products of all time, the C6 ZO6, Issac and Fran make a very good case for late-model racing.

Canadian Camaro
Jakub Stroinski of Ontario, Canada, is the owner of this beautiful 1991 Camaro. On the outside, Jakub has repainted the car dark blue; shaved the front bumper; and installed a set of C6 Corvette wheels, covering a pair of C5 Corvette brakes. Not stopping there (no pun intended), Jakub powers his Camaro with a cammed LS1 (228/232 duration, 0.595/0.605-inch lift, 112+1 LSA) and has a stout driveline to back it all up. Using an LS2 flywheel and LS7 clutch, power is transferred to a custom Ford (yes, Ford) 8.8-inch rearend. Housed inside is a 4.10 gear, Detroit TrueTrac differential, and Moser axles. The stance is courtesy of Canuck Motorsports 2-inch lowering springs. As a package, this may be one of the nicest Canadian third-gens we have ever seen.

Mr. Luos
Curtis Voss, a resident of Broomfield, CO, is the proud owner of this gorgeous '99 WS6. Powered by a Texas Speed 402 stuffed with Lunati ProMod rods, Mahle forged pistons, and an Eagle crankshaft, it runs as good as it looks. Up top, a set of Patriot Stage III heads bring in the good stuff, while a Texas Speed 248/254 duration, 0.629/0.622-inch lift, 113 LSA camshaft provides the ear-bleeding rumble. A Tony Mamo ported FAST 90mm intake fills the heads, and a set of Kooks 1 7/8-inch long-tube headers fill the 3-inch true duals. Backing the motor is a SPEC Stage 4 clutch, stock T56, and a Moser 9-inch rearend. At 5,800 feet above sea level, Curtis has already run as fast as 11.902 at 117.29, which is very impressive considering the altitude.

Car Feature 1998 Pontiac Trans Am WS6If you have been into drag racing for any length of time, what you are about to read is an all too familiar tale. What starts innocently enough as a perfectly good daily driver eventually turns into some sort of half-driven, half-tracked monster that leaves you wanting even more. All of your friends keep telling you to go big or go home, and suddenly you are literally spending your house money for the thrill of more speed. "I originally bought the car for a daily driver. The mods started with some suspension stuff and a 125 shot of nitrous ..." If this sounds eerily familiar or even exactly like something you said to your friends a week ago, welcome to the club. It all leads to the same twisted place, as Mike Piccione of Hazlet, NJ, goes on to explain "... Cartek then installed a 383, then a 408, and then this current motor."

For those of us who can only dream of owning a ZO6 or ZR1, it seems even God couldn't have built a more perfect sports coupe. But where we see perfection, a meticulous and madcap group of Italians see a diamond in the rough. Enter the legendary Italian designer Ercole Spada, known for his work with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Zagato, and Aston Martin as well as many other European makers. His family has contributed what most would call automotive works of art, dating back to the 1960s. More recently, Ercole's Spada Vetture Sport brand has taken on the task of overhauling a C6 ZO6 chassis with its designs--adding a European flare to raw American V-8 horsepower.