SEMA 2007: 1,000 HP ProPane Chevelle by Mothers
Click image for live gallery from SEMA
It seems that a lot of companies are realizing that unless your horsepower claims are in the four-digit range, they barely get noticed anymore. With that in mind, the team at Mothers Polish cooked up a very special 1970 Chevelle SS hot rod with 1,000 HP under the hood. And it happens to be powered by propane gas, hence the "ProPane" name. Jim Holloway from Mothers came up with the concept, Chip Foose did the design, Johnny Omundson of Obrothers Design handled the engineering, Haigh Blocks & PPI (Propane Performance Industries) were responsible for that 527 ci Chevy small block, and Paul Gonzalez of PGCC did the build. The result is one of the cleanest and cleanest burning resto-mods we've seen.
Follow the jump for the press release and build sheet.
[Source: Mothers]
Gallery: ProPane Chevelle by Mothers
PRESS RELEASE
Mothers' 1970 Chevelle "ProPane" to Debut
at SEMA Show 2007
The team from Mothers Polish has another cool ride to add to its already impressive fleet of hot rods, customs, race cars and big rigs. It's the ultimate symbol of Chevy muscle, a 1970 Chevelle SS. But this build is more than just your average overhaul - it's resto-modded with pro touring in mind, and produces over 1,000 clean-burning propane-fueled horsepower without the aid of boost or nitrous.
The concept of ProPane was developed by Jim Holloway of Mothers Polish, designed by Chip Foose, and brought to life at Paul Gonzalez Custom Cars, who managed the build. A talented team of expert fabricators, suppliers and other friends of the Mothers family were recruited from throughout the automotive aftermarket industry and worked tirelessly until its completion. ProPane sports a unique tube chassis by Obrothers Design, which mates to an innovative inboard pushrod coil-over suspension dampened by Penske 8300 racing shocks and sports one-off Foose Design wheels and Pirelli P Zero rubber.
Thinking forward as well as "green," the ProPane's groundbreaking power is provided by a large-displacement Haigh Blocks small block motor with Propane Performance Industries fuel delivery managed with with a Link ECU. Any way you look at it, the Mothers ProPane is unlike any other hi-po Chevelle. Previewed earlier in the year with a developmental engine, the completed ProPane makes its world debut at the only place that seems fitting - the SEMA Show 2007.
Mothers' Propane-Powered 1970 Chevelle
"ProPane" Specifications
CONCEPT - Jim Holloway, Mothers Polish
DESIGN - Chip Foose, Foose Design
BUILD LOCATION - Paul Gonzalez, PGCC
ENGINEERING & CHASSIS - Johnny Omundson, Obrothers Design
ENGINE DEVELOPMENT - Haigh Blocks & PPI (Propane Performance Industries)
ENGINE
ENGINE TYPE - Haigh Blocks Small Block Chevrolet
FUEL - Propane Powered
DISPLACEMENT 527.6 CID
BORE 4.320²
STROKE CRANKSHAFT 4.500² Custom Billet 1-off
BORE CENTER 4.500²
COMPRESSION 13.5:1
HORSEPOWER 1000+
TORQUE 800+
BLOCK - Haigh Blocks 10.250² Custom Tall Deck
SPREAD PAN RAIL BLOCK - Haigh Blocks
OIL SUMP/OIL TANK - Haigh Blocks
INTAKE - Haigh Blocks Custom Cross Ram Injection
CON RODS - Haigh Blocks 6.800² Billet
CAM DRIVE/VALVE SPRINGS - JESEL
VALVETRAIN/RETAINERS - JESEL
SHAFT ROCKER SYSTEM - JESEL
PISTONS - JE
CRANK - Custom Billet Stroker 1-off
CYLINDER HEAD - GMPP Splayed Valve
HEAD GASKETS - Custom one off by SCE Gaskets
CAMSHAFT - GS Products
VALVETRAIN - JESEL Custom 60mm Roller with Cam Belt Drive
HEADERS - Chris Bresnahan Tri-Step Tri-Y 1.87/2.0/2.5
UNDERCAR EXHAUST - Chris Bresnahan Custom Designed 4.0 Oval
CUSTOM RADIATOR COOLING - Be Cool, rated for 1200 HP
TRANSMISSION - G-Force T56 6-speed, custom rated to 1200 HP
FLYWHEEL - Centerforce Sintered Metal 6-Puck Single-Disc
CLUTCH - Centerforce Billet
INJECTION - Propane Performance Industries, Link & Prins
FUEL TANKS - Propane Performance Industries
FUEL SYSTEMS - Prins Alternative Fuel Systems
IGNITION - MSD Ignition Multi-coil
ECU - Link
LIGHTWEIGHT BATTERY - Braille
STARTER AND ALTERNATOR - MSD
OIL PUMP - Johnson's High Performance
DRY SUMP PUMP - Johnson's High Performance
LUBRICANTS - Pure Power Lubricants
OIL FILTER - Pure Power Lubricants
CHASSIS
CHASSIS - Obrothers Design
UPPER / LOWER CONTROL ARMS - Obrothers Design Custom Billet
INTEGRATED CAGE - PGCC
ROTORS & CALIPERS - Baer Brakes / Foose Multi-Puck Monoblocks
AIR OVER HYDRAULIC SYSTEM - Power Brake Service
SPRINGS - Eibach Springs
WHEELS - Custom 1-off by Foose Design
TIRES - Pirelli P Zero
SHOCKS - Penske Racing 8300 With Reservoir
STEERING SYSTEM - Flaming River Products
PLUMBING SUPPLIES - Goodridge
DIFFERENTIAL - Speedway Engineering
DRIVESHAFT - ACPT Carbon Fiber
MUFFLERS - Magnaflow Custom-Built 4.0² Oval
INTERIOR
INTERIOR DESIGN - Chip Foose, Foose Design
CUSTOM INTERIOR - Griffin Interiors
AUDIO - Audio Shoppe / ARC Audio Components
SEATS - Cobra
SAFETY HARNESS - Cobra
INTERIOR HIDES - Katzkin
DASH - Foose Design / Modified by Redline Gauges
GAUGES - Auto Meter Phantom Series/Red Line Gauges
STEERING WHEEL - Billet Specialties
DOOR LOCK KNOBS - Billet Specialties
DOOR HANDLES - Billet Specialties
SOUND DEADENING INSULATION - Dynamat
AC SYSTEM - Vintage Air
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER - Long Shifters
INTERIOR PAINT - Chris Guinn, Guinn Paint
EXTERIOR
PAINT DESIGN - Chip Foose, Foose Design
CUSTOM PAINT - Chris Guinn & Spade Bros.
BODY MODS - Chris Guinn
PAINT SUPPLIED BY BASF
ALL PROTECTIVE COATINGS - Specialized Coatings
EXTERIOR TRIM RESTORATION - Artistic Plating
CHROME PLATING - Artistic Plating
RESTORATION PRODUCTS - OPG & Goodmark
UPDATED WIPER MOTOR SYSTEM - Detroit Speed & Engineering
RESTORATION GLASS - JRD International
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
guinnpaint 11:09AM (1/24/2008)
Look at the car in person and decide for yourself
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james 12:02PM (10/31/2007)
I come from the land where every gearhead shop has a 1000hp muscle car. Hell even that retard Joe from Fearfactor has had one for years.
Reply
_spike 12:08PM (10/31/2007)
how boring!
let see if it can use all that HP.
seriously, Americans should stop making cars...leave that to the Europeans and Japanese.
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Mr. Oak 12:15PM (10/31/2007)
...and we've all seen the crap that the Japanese build.
tanooki2003 12:25PM (10/31/2007)
Sigh Ohh freakin brother
Another old timer JDM hater.
tanooki2003 12:45PM (10/31/2007)
Spike
I in a way agree with you. I myself am frankly tired of all of these boring retro rebuilds, redoes, and remakes that are still floating around here. I have not seen one car yet that I would ever consider purchasing from Ford, Chrysler, or GM in almost 10 years.
I used to really like the mid 90's Ford Thunderbird coupes, they just needed a bit of refreshing and a diet. Instead like other american companies they pathetically hang onto their retro roots and say that's what americans like and want. If that was the case the Dodge charger should be the #1 seller, along with the Mustang and anything Buick makes.
I have given up the pro-domestic route many years ago and it looks highly unlikely that I will return back to them.
Russell 1:18PM (10/31/2007)
Another childish remark, next...
pd 12:58PM (10/31/2007)
You just don't get it. SEMA was founded on the AMERICAN Muscle car and Hot Rod after-market!! You want rice Tokyo was last week.
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c 1:15PM (10/31/2007)
Oh save it American car bashers the imports have retro cars as well, either in production or they have concepts of them ,you stupid morons...ferrari dino ,beetle,mini,nissan z cars,skyline,rx-8,how about honda thinking of a new crx ? whatever...please save it you jealous unknowledgeable idiots,you just cant stand the fact that this Chevelle with 1,000 hp is cleaner and more environmental friendly than a toyota prius.....sorry I wouldnt want a jap car : blown engines,cracking tailgates failing transmissions..all within 20,000 miles hey I just covered toyota and honda's...Im so tired of repairing them... (tundra,pilot,honda 3.5 L cracking block around water pump,accord/acura/yota auto trans failures all recalls and replaced many times by pissed off mechs everywhere)...so before bashing American retro desighn remember at least they look good not like the import retro desighns,cant wait for that 1971 honda civic retro or the 1985 nissan multi retro WOW!!!Way to go Yankers !!!
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tanooki2003 2:11PM (10/31/2007)
So typical. I base my experience not by opinions of others but what i have experienced, driven, and owned.
Need to take the blindfolds off grandpa. American cars are not exactly on the highly reliable list either. You need to stop over advertising and praising a losing team.
Joe 3:05PM (10/31/2007)
Actually, Consumer Reports proved last week that Ford vehicles ARE, in fact, reliable. Forty-one of their 44 vehicles were on their "reliable" list, whilst Toyota...well, fell a little bit.
Say goodbye to the status quo.
nissanfreak87 1:25PM (10/31/2007)
That Chevelle is sick, it's always been one of my favorite cars, and this one takes the cake. 1,000hp, designed by Chip Foose, silver, seriously, what's not to like?
People hating on any car(that doesn't deserve it), especially one of this historical significance. just don't understand, or choose not to understand the history of the automobile.
saying that America needs to stop making cars is as ignorant of a statement as I've ever heard, the Big 2.5 are coming around with some of their best cars since the 70s, and are going to pull out of their funk.
saying anything that's not American is crap is equally ignorant, America had a phase during the fuel crisis when it's cars were complete garbage, and they're still recovering, and doing a good job of it. But there are companies outside the States that build amazing vehicles, some people just don't want to see that.
to me hating any car for no apparent reason is a mark that you aren't a true Automotive enthusiast, there are different cars for different people, and respecting those differences, and appreciating them, is the mark of a true lover of the industry.
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Rob 1:52PM (10/31/2007)
W.T.F. 1000HP & the speedo only only hits 160.
Friggin' V4 powered Jetta's have 160MPH speedo's in them.
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dean 3:29PM (10/31/2007)
Maybe its limited by aerodynamics and tires? Besides, with all that horsepower, it will get you there fast (provided it has the traction).
And why do you care, whats the big deal? Its a show car? bost something meaningful, leave the inane comments for your blogosphere.
Pokey 2:00PM (10/31/2007)
Am I missing something? How is this retro? It's an actual '70 Chevelle that's been given some modern touches!
Some people will jump at any opportunity to bash American car companies.
As has already been stated, all of you that insist on bashing the big 2.5 for making retro cars need to look at the European and Japanese need to rethink. Ferrari, Toyota, VW, Honda, Lamborghini, BMW, etc., have all made, or have considered making, retro themed cars.
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Chad 3:16PM (10/31/2007)
I agree. Listening to people bashing American cars is getting boring as well.
Chad 3:15PM (10/31/2007)
The little side stripes remind me more of a GTO Judge. Wonder why they added those?
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John P. 3:46PM (10/31/2007)
Lets see some pics of that sweet Mustang sitting next to that Chevelle too. This Chevelle looks like the ultimate around town/grocery getter to me by the way. :p Love the thing!
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Random Task 3:46PM (10/31/2007)
Who actually likes these cars? 60 year old men who like to relive their youth. How much drag racing can you do... so boring. Do something new!
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j_diesel 5:04PM (10/31/2007)
amazing. the article is talking about a propane powered chevelle and before the 3rd comment is posted it's rice vs. apple pie again.
i was going to make some smartass comment about parking underground with it or something but it doesn't seem funny anymore after reading all the haters coments.
Reply