Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-17-08 02:05 PM - Post#1524318
After much pressure from some friends I decide to finally join up. Here's the story and some pics on my car:
It's a '74 Chevelle (base Malibu). My dad, a GM employee, ordered it for my mom to drive. He ordered it as a Police car, so it would be somewhat rare by being a two door. He had to make some calls to the assembly plant (Oshawa) to get it spec'd as he wanted, including:
· LS4 235 HP 454 with aluminum intake and Rochester Quadrajet
· Turbo 400 trans w reworked valve body from factory
· 3.42 posi trac rear axle
· 8” Corvette Rally wheels with HR60-15 Goodyear “Blue dot” pursuit tires
· HD Alternator, radiator and frt/rr sway bars
· Auxiliary chassis skid plates
· Swivel bucket seats
· Tach cluster and gages
· Ratcheting console shift
· 4100 lb curb weight
Mom drove it for four years and then I got it. I started racing it in 1978 so I have been racing this same car for 30 years this year. First pass was a 15.10, by the end of the day it was going 14.90. The car has gone as quick as 12.25 with that old original numbers matching motor.
Currently it is a 555 cu in big block based on a GM Performance parts bowtie block, AFR heads, dart intake with either a 950 Holley or a Dominator depending on the class. That's around 900 HP naturally aspirated and, at 3950 lbs, was good enough for the 10.001 pass shown in my signature.
It's been a "good ole' car" and we've been through a lot together. It's taken me to two season "World Champion" runner up positions; I dated my high school sweetheart in this car, and I still have both (my wife, and the car)...
Current Configuration:
· 555 cu in “S&K Racing” Chevy; bowtie block with AFR aluminum heads, Holley Dominator and Dart Intake
· Full manual Turbo 400 trans
· 4.10 rear axle with Mark Williams spool and axles
· US Body Source fiberglass cowl induction hood and glass front bumper
· 3790 lbs curb weight with full interior and mandated roll bar
Best ET is 10.01 @ 136 mph with Mickey Thompson 10.5 " slicks through 4" Flowmaster mufflers (1.400 60 ft time); Since 1990, I have been running select "Super Chevy" magazine events, select BTE/Citgo Series events as well as the full National Street Car Association Series. This car has been run at the following venues: Phoenix Firebird Raceway, Bakersfield CA, Norwalk OH, West Palm Beach FLA, Atlanta GA, Mobile AL, Joliet IL, St Louis, Cecil County MD, Petersburg VA, Martin Mi, Milan MI, Grand Bend Canada, Salem OH, Stanton Mi, Columbus OH, Memphis TN, Union Grove WI, Atco NJ, Bowling Green KY, Ubly Mi and Lapeer Mi.
Recent Accomplishments:
· 2007 NSCA BF Goodrich "American Muscle" #2 in series year end points
· Winner: National Street Car Association (NSCA) American Muscle class – Thompson OH Aug, 07
· Winner: National Street Car Association (NSCA) Street Eliminator class - Grand Bend CAN, Aug '01
· Runner Up: National Muscle Car Association/National Street Car Association (NMCA/NSCA) "Super Series" Street Eliminator class - Salem OH, Aug 18 2002
· Runner Up: National Street Car Association (NSCA) American Muscle - Mobile AL, April 2003; Salem OH, August 2003; Salem OH, August 2004; Stanton Michigan, Sept 2004
· 2002 NMCA/NSCA Mickey Thompson "Street Eliminator" #3 in series year end points
· 2003 NMCA BF Goodrich "American Muscle" #2 in series year end points
· 2004 NSCA American Muscle #4 in series year end points
· This year marks 30 years racing the same car
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-17-08 02:09 PM - Post#1524320
In response to Keith Seymore
A few more "modern" pics:
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badbiscayne66
Contributor
Posts: 294
Age: 65
Loc: Paducah, Ky
Reg: 04-10-08
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09-17-08 02:29 PM - Post#1524329
In response to Keith Seymore
Saw car at bowling green...Nice!! Welcome! 
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Bahama Dan
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1734
Loc: suburbs of Chicago IL, US...
Reg: 05-25-04
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09-17-08 02:53 PM - Post#1524339
In response to Keith Seymore
What a great story!!!!! Also a cooooooool car! Seeing it popping a wheelie made my day. Welcome
Bought in 2002 with 38,200 original miles
My little old lady find |
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DoctorLarry
Senior Member
Posts: 2058
Loc: Yorktown, IN
Reg: 03-11-01
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09-17-08 07:01 PM - Post#1524512
In response to Keith Seymore
I've got this (or another photo like it) in one of my magazines. I'll have to dig it out.
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74LagunaS3
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3784
Loc: Winchester, MA , USA. H...
Reg: 02-23-00
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09-18-08 05:25 AM - Post#1524662
In response to DoctorLarry
WOOOWWWOOWWWWWWW!!!1!!!!! !1
Welcome aboard matey
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-18-08 11:10 AM - Post#1524831
In response to DoctorLarry
I've got this (or another photo like it) in one of my magazines. I'll have to dig it out.
I'd like to see it if you can find it.
I'm only aware of a couple other times it appeared; once in the July 2003 Car Craft (random photo) and then this month's Popular Hot Rodding.
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Malibu1974
Senior Member
Posts: 596
Age: 41
Loc: Ottawa Ontario, Canada
Reg: 12-30-03
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09-18-08 05:24 PM - Post#1525027
In response to Keith Seymore
Welcome Keith! Sweet car!
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DoctorLarry
Senior Member
Posts: 2058
Loc: Yorktown, IN
Reg: 03-11-01
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09-18-08 06:12 PM - Post#1525060
In response to Keith Seymore
It was the "random photo" one in Car Craft.
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jb2wheeler
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4340
Loc: Louisville KY
Reg: 05-09-04
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09-18-08 08:03 PM - Post#1525118
In response to DoctorLarry
Nice car, Keith, something to really be proud of. Several questions; What did you paint the front bumper with? How much trouble was it to mount that bumper? Did you have to alter the car to where it could not be put back stock when you mounted the bumper? JB
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73 Laguna
Contributor
Posts: 695
Loc: Omaha,Ne
Reg: 10-02-04
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09-18-08 11:44 PM - Post#1525224
In response to jb2wheeler
Welcome aboard Keith.
Great history on the car.
Mitch
'73 Laguna, 33,000 miles
489 Brodix RR Lunati solid roller
200R4 overdrive in the works
Ford 9" 3.89
'97 Silverado 4x4
Standard cab long box |
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Johnny Hunkins
Forum Newbie
Posts: 70
Loc: Southern California
Reg: 10-12-06
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09-19-08 08:46 AM - Post#1525373
In response to 73 Laguna
I told everybody they were gonna like this guy! Thanks for joining, Keith. If anybody wants to know how to go fast in these cars, they've got a new guru.
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david buick
Newbie
Posts: 4
Reg: 09-14-08
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09-19-08 11:16 PM - Post#1525795
In response to Johnny Hunkins
NIIIIIIce and fast!
How do you deal with the seat belt and the Hi bucket?
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 08:03 AM - Post#1527624
In response to david buick
Thanks, guys -
I can add one more item to my resume' -
Runner Up: National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) "Nostalgia Muscle Car" class - Atlanta GA Sept, 08
(Yep - I made it to the final round this weekend) 
I'll try and answer your questions one at a time...
K
Edited by Keith Seymore on 09-23-08 08:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 08:05 AM - Post#1527626
In response to DoctorLarry
It was the "random photo" one in Car Craft.
Thanks, Doc - that was a fun one.
I didn't know it was in there until one of the guys at work called. He said "Seymore, is that your car in Car Craft this month?".
I said "no, I don't think so".
He called back and said "Seymore - you idiot! Yes it is, page 80, July Car Craft".
I looked again and - sure enough! It was a pleasant surprise but a little "erie" to see yourself unexpectedly like that!
Edited by Keith Seymore on 09-23-08 08:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 08:09 AM - Post#1527630
In response to jb2wheeler
Nice car, Keith, something to really be proud of. Several questions; What did you paint the front bumper with? How much trouble was it to mount that bumper? Did you have to alter the car to where it could not be put back stock when you mounted the bumper? JB
Ok - the bumper is hanging on there via 1/4"x2" aluminum strap, bent to the appropriate angles. It attaches directly to the end of the frame (under the rad support - the original shocks are totally removed).
The stock steel bumper can be re-attached, using these same fabricated brackets. In fact, the steel bumper is on the car now, due to an unfortunate bout of stupidity at Joliet (  I hooked the end of the bumper on the trailer ramp guide wire while backing the car out)
As far as paint - it is nothing special, just an argent silver ish color. The bumper is in the paint shop as we speak; this time they are using a base coat/clear coat system so I'll let you know how that turns out.
K
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 08:13 AM - Post#1527632
In response to Keith Seymore
One other comment about the bumpers: this is about the third iteration of "bumper lightening" that I have gone through.
The first modification was back when I was in High School. The steel bumper impact bar (the chrome part) nests over a steel substrate. I took a die grinder and cut away all of that substrate, leaving just enough to hang the chrome part back on. I also gutted the shocks and cut the tube portion shorter, pulling the bumpers back toward the body 1". Doing this on the front and rear resulted in almost a 200 lb savings, and a better look, all for free.
The second iteration was going to the aforementioned aluminum bracketry, and then lastly the glass bumper instead of steel. The chrome steel bar weighs about 60 lbs; the fiberglass version is 6 lbs.
Edited by Keith Seymore on 09-23-08 08:14 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 08:16 AM - Post#1527635
In response to david buick
NIIIIIIce and fast!
How do you deal with the seat belt and the Hi bucket?
The belt attaches to the cross brace of the roll bar. I keep it all buckled together even when I am not seated. It just lays across the headrest, as shown, during shipping and handling (it will slip off to one side or the other while trailering, but that is no big deal). When you are seated in the car it lays on your shoulders (which are outboard of the headrest portion) and is positioned inboard/outboard by your neck.
I would appreciate a little more length in those chest belts but it will still latch up nice and snug, which is the way you want it anyway. You've just reminded me that if and when I do a full cage I should add a little length to that attaching bracket for that reason.
K
Edited by Keith Seymore on 09-23-08 08:23 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-08 10:41 AM - Post#1527744
In response to Keith Seymore
Did you have to alter the car to where it could not be put back stock when you mounted the bumper? JB
Just to comment on "backward compatibility" for a minute: I've already mentioned that the steel and glass bumpers are interchangeable; I wanted to do the same with my hoods.
I actually have three: the original steel hood, a USBody Source flat glass bolt on hood and a USBody Source 4" cowl lift off hood.
The way I achieved the interchangeability was by mounting my "lift off" hood to the original hinges. I did it for a couple reasons:
a) I wanted the lift off for the weight savings (20 lbs lift off vs 40 lbs bolt on). The original steel hood was 80 lbs, by the way.
b) I wanted to be able to operate the hood by myself, in the staging lanes (this hood is huge and it doesn't have a good "handle". I takes two people to lift it off). When things get serious you undo the Dzus fasteners and VIOLA you have ultimate engine access.
c) As mentioned I wanted to be able to go back and forth between my bolt on glass hood and this one.
The way I did this was by Dzus fastening the cowl lift off to the hood hinges, via a homemade spacer (adapter). The adapter takes up the thickness between the thicker bolt on hoods and the thinner lift off version; it also adapts from the bolt on attachment scheme to the Dzus fasteners.
It's probably a bit unsightly (the adapter), and you don't get the usual weight savings of getting rid of the production hinges but it did allow me to do all of the above. I already had light springs (from Harwood, for a 1980 Camaro, I believe) on the hinges because of the bolt on glass hood.
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jb2wheeler
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4340
Loc: Louisville KY
Reg: 05-09-04
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09-23-08 03:17 PM - Post#1527956
In response to Keith Seymore
Thanks, you just answered some things I have been wondering about for some time. JB
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Butcher 318
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1194
Loc: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Reg: 06-29-04
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09-27-08 10:54 AM - Post#1530597
In response to jb2wheeler
That seems like it could be a very rare car from the options ordered. Do you have any plans to try and return it to stock form when the race days are done? Or has it been welded and modded to the point where it will be forever a drag car?
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-29-08 06:14 AM - Post#1531452
In response to Butcher 318
I've kept everything to return it to stock form. So far I have not passed "the point of no return".
K
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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10-14-08 05:39 AM - Post#1541727
In response to Keith Seymore
More news:
This past weekend was our final NMCA event for the season. I was able to go a few rounds (before "going red" and blowing a bye into the final round - duh!) to move up in series point standings.
I was only able to attend five of the seven events and so was hoping for a "top five" finish.
In doing the math, unofficially it appears that I secured a third place finish for the season - so I am pleased with that.
K
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-17-09 04:35 AM - Post#1773373
In response to Keith Seymore
Just noticed it was a year ago to the day that I joined the forum!
K
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75CHEVBU
Contributor
Posts: 609
Age: 61
Loc: Chicago,Illinois
Reg: 08-25-08
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09-17-09 02:45 PM - Post#1773687
In response to Keith Seymore
wtg good job bro on making the top 3 thats kewl as hell
| RACECAR BACKWARDS STILL SPELLS RACECAR |
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-17-10 12:48 PM - Post#1977402
In response to 75CHEVBU
Two years since I joined -
;o)=
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junk yard creeper
Forum Newbie
Posts: 51
Age: 52
Loc: Glen Burnie Md.
Reg: 09-11-10
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09-17-10 02:59 PM - Post#1977444
In response to Keith Seymore
Sweet ride, I like the stance have you lowered it? what size rims and tires are you running? it looks bad to the bone. I want mine to sit just like yours
Finding time to work on the Forgotten One.
75 Chevelle
78 Chevy pickup
93 Chevy 1500
98 Jeep
02 Camaro |
Edited by junk yard creeper on 09-17-10 03:00 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Blazerteam
Member
Posts: 261
Loc: Norway
Reg: 03-17-05
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09-18-10 12:34 AM - Post#1977598
In response to junk yard creeper
I really really really like your car .It oozes cool..the stance and wheels and paint does it for me...and that engine .
It looked great in those old photos too..with sidepipes and 8 inch rallys.8 inch rallys should have been delivered original on this cars..it looks so right!
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-10 01:37 PM - Post#1980021
In response to Blazerteam
I really really really like your car .It oozes cool..the stance and wheels and paint does it for me...and that engine .
It looked great in those old photos too..with sidepipes and 8 inch rallys.8 inch rallys should have been delivered original on this cars..it looks so right!
Thank you -
Those 15xs8 rallys are the ones that came on this car.
K
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Keith Seymore
Contributor
Posts: 797
Loc: Southeast Michigan
Reg: 09-17-08
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09-23-10 01:40 PM - Post#1980024
In response to junk yard creeper
Sweet ride, I like the stance have you lowered it? what size rims and tires are you running? it looks bad to the bone. I want mine to sit just like yours
Thanks -
The front is definitely down an inch or two, via cut coils. The rear usually ends up wherever it wants, based on the specific springs that are in there (a station wagon spring in the right rear) or how much air is in the airbag.
The wheels you see are a 15x6 on the front, with a Firestone street tire; rears in the pics above are 15x8 with a 29.5 x 10.5 M/T slick. I also have a set of LT 13.5 M/T ET Street tires on a 10" rally that I can use on the street (or for any class where a DOT tire is required).
K
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