Mike “Q Ball” Clarke and Kevin Oeste bring you the latest episode of the V8 Radio Podcast right from the 2021 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show floor! They are overwhelmed with all the amazing muscle cars on display at MCACN, and also to see so many great friends over the weekend. They were also shooting video coverage for the Muscle Car of The Week and V8TV video channels, and Kevin was unveiling Premiere Restorations as the Official Emcee of the event. The cars were amazing, and the legendary Hirohata Mercury even made a surprise appearance. Even so, the guys were able to drum up some automotive trivia as they recorded this from the Mecum Auctions display.
This 1961 Ford Starliner owned by George Poteet was a huge hit at the 2021 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals MCACN Show in Chicago. Here, restorer Zach Straits is interviewed by Kevin Oeste of V8TV.
Here’s the complete restoration story as told by interviewee Zach Straits:
“The Poteet Starliner – A Restoration Story.
This 1961 Starliner Z code FE 390/300 3 speed overdrive started life in California then to North Dakota and for the last 15 years in Mississippi as a part of the George Poteet collection. With only 61k miles this rust free Starliner was a real pleasure to restore for George. The intent was to over restore beyond factory original concentrating panel gaps, flat panels and a high-end finish but maintaining the stock appearance void of a few trim pieces. The chrome, aluminum and stainless trim re-installed on the original Cambridge Blue metallic paint begged to be perfect. That’s where the restoration started. All pieces except for a few stainless trim pieces was taken to Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome in Grafton, Ohio for a show chrome finish even on the aluminum parts. The car was completely disassembled bagged and tagged and after the undercarriage was dustless blasted the body and suspension parts were taken locally to Devils Bowl Autobody.
All agree Starliners have great lines but the eight-foot quarter panels, huge hood and trunk and all the sheet metal came from the factory a little wavy. Brad at Devil’s Bowl spent over 1,089 hours hand sanding and flattening every panel inside and out. Hours were spent on the panel gaps and getting the signature tail light surrounds and fin caps to fit perfectly. Axalta finishes were applied and wet sanded and buffed then after complete assembly Max from MX Autocare completed a final paint correction getting the surfaces perfect.
The original 390 FE engine was sent to Jeff Burns Racing Engines in Tupelo where with the help of Alan Hutcheson “Hutch”, the caretaker of the Poteet Car Farm Collection, did a complete rebuilt dyno-ed exactly at 300HP. The original 4 barrel carb was sent to ford expert and historian Don Brown for a complete factor finish and working order restoration. The original 3 speed overdrive was rebuilt by transmission experts Earl McCary and Richard Miller of Staunton, Va. Alan Completed the rebuild of the original 3:50 gear 3rd member. Hutch also sourced the many crates of restoration parts.
The frame was powder coated by Power Coating Solutions and all the suspension parts were body worked and shot with industrial single stage paint by Devil’s Bowl. 1957 Ford body mounts were lightly modified and the body was set back on the frame with the help of John and Kay at Classic Motorsports.
The interior seat insert fabric on any blue Galaxie is tough to get a good match to the SMS door panels so we used door panel vinyl on the get the correct match. George Folks of Waynesboro Upholstery did an excellent job making and installing the seat covers and installing the headliner before the glass installation. The original back package tray was taken to “Hemi” Eddie Strzelecki Jr. for the first fiberglass reproduction for a 1961 Starliner.
All new glass was purchased from Auto City Classic and installed by Augusta Glass. The stainless trim down the side and around the glass was polished by local professional polisher Stewart Peters.
This restoration would not have been possible without the help of a lot of friends. Especially Scott Balsley who partnered with me for a combined 1,217 hours of restoration time.”
The V8 Radio Podcast are coming to you directly from the 2021 SEMA Show floor in Las Vegas! Mike Clarke and Kevin Oeste bring you a mid-SEMA week update, including thoughts on the show, new products, the electrified Project X, and much more. Even a cameo from our buddy Chip! But even on-location, they still toss out some cool Automotive Trivia questions and they usual antics you’ve come to expect from the V8 Radio Podcast!
Top Chevelles of 1970 – Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372
1970 is often considered the peak year for the first generation of Muscle Cars, as the power numbers reached their highest just as emissions regulations, fuel changes, and insurance premiums clamped down on the fun for 1971. Chevrolet was a huge player in these muscle car wars for 1970, and they offered the iconic 1970 Chevelle in a variety of performance big-block configurations to satisfy lead-footed performance fanatics. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the top Chevelle offerings for 1970 from The Brother’s Collection.
It’s hard not to envision a bright red 1970 Chevelle when you hear the words “Muscle Car”! If ever there was a poster child Muscle Car, this one is probably it. Boasting the high compression 454 in.³ LS6 V-8, These were capable of low 13s at 108 mph in the ¼ mile on the stock tires. The 11.25:1 Compression 454 produces a beastly 500 pound feet at 3600, and an advertised 450 HP!
The LS6 utilized a Holley carburetor and an aluminum intake manifold over the solid lifter camshaft and 1.7 ratio rockers. This one uses The Muncie M22 4-speed manual transmission and a heavy duty clutch to stay up to speed with the LS6, and a 12-bolt rear axle housing stuffed with 4.10 gears and a Positraction differential to keep both wheels turning and the car pointing straight down the street.. Or strip… when it’s time to stop messing around. You can learn more about it in episode 219 of MCOTW.
Episode #44: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 454 Convertible If you were to go buy a brand-new 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, what options would you choose? How about starting with an LS6 454 and adding a convertible top? This is a super-clean 1970 Chevelle SS 454 with the 450 HP LS6 V8 backed by a Muncie M22 4-speed transmission. an awesome ride capable of burning through the first 3 gears while wind-blowing your hair at the same time. This hot ‘70 SS is featured in episode 44 of MCOTW.
Episode #8: 34.2 Mile 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 And while we’re talking about 1970 LS6 cars, we’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on perhaps the lowest mile example remaining in the world… this cranberry red 454 automatic car showing a mere 34.2 miles on the odometer! It has been called the highest horsepower and lowest mileage Muscle Car left in the world! Watch episode #8 of MCOTW to learn all about this car and how it survived in “as-new” condition all these years.
Episode #128: 1970 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible For those who didn’t want to spring for the LS6 454, Chevrolet offered a slightly smaller big block version called the SS 396. This one is wearing some great features, ranging from the 350 HP 396 (402) under the hood, sport suspension, and SS appearance package, to the bucket seats, tilt wheel, air conditioning, and power convertible top. While not quite as quick as the 454 cars, the SS 396s certainly held their own on city streets. We also like this one because it is a survivor… a fairly low-milage car with original paint and equipment still installed. It’s one of the many unique Chevelles in the Brothers Collection, profiled in-depth in episode 128 of MCOTW.
We hope you liked our little visit to the Chevelle showroom in The Brothers Collection! We’re happy to share these cars with you, so subscribe to see more next time on MCOTW!
