THREE SLICES OF AMERICAN PIE: Some fine GM vehicles will be roaring across the Barrett-Jackson block in Las Vegas
September 15, 2015
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson
The beauty of American performance cars is that they were offered in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Here we have three perfect examples from General Motors: The sports car, the intermediate muscle car and the pony car. All represent the highest level of engineering for the time, and deliver the kind of performance and style of which enthusiasts around the global cannot get enough. For a fresh shot of high-horsepower adrenaline, feast your eyes on these.
1991 Callaway Corvette ZR1 SuperNatural
The ZR1 Corvette engine is the result of GM collaborating with Lotus of England, which they happened to own at the time. The intent was to build the fastest street car in America, so a special 4-cam, 32-valve, all-aluminum Chevrolet 350 was created for that purpose. Known as the ZR1, this package included slightly wider rear body haunches and oval-shaped taillights to help distinguish it from the normal Corvette, at least while the hood was closed. Its usual 375 horsepower was another characteristic that set it apart. To most of us the ZR1 was an “end-all” production car. But to Reeves Callaway, it was the perfect Corvette to modify.
That’s right – the same guy who redefined the driver on golf courses the world over did the same thing for another great driver, the ZR1 Corvette. This should be no surprise, as Callaway already had his name on some of the fastest road-going Corvettes in the business.
This Arctic White Callaway ’Vette (Lot #461) with its blue racing stripes represents a tip of the hat to America’s traditional international racing colors. Aside from the striping, the paint is original. The interior is equally exceptional. Of course, the centerpiece of this particular Corvette ZR1 is its upgraded “SuperNatural” engine. While Callaway also offered turbocharged engine packages, the SuperNatural offering was normally aspirated. The upgrade began with a complete engine rebuild, resulting in a 550 horsepower monster that displays the good manners of the little old lady from Pasadena.
Despite it pleasing personality, all internal pieces are high-end goods with the DNA to roughhouse with anything. High silicon content aluminum pistons, top-shelf bearings throughout, along with refined intake and exhaust ports were areas addressed by the Callaway SuperNatural conversion. Same for titanium springs, 3-angle valve job and a reengineering of the engine’s 16 intake runners. A custom throttle body and multi-port injection complete the fuel delivery chores.
An improved stainless-steel exhaust system gives the other half of the performance equation its efficiency, beauty and sound – all in one formula.
Suspension-wise, the Callaway Corvette is also treated to an upgrade in shocks, springs and sway bars. Handling characteristics will surpass your every expectation.
Despite the technical advancement the Chevrolet Corvette displays with each new model, this 1991 C-4, Callaway 4-cam ZR1 still effortlessly delivers everything a Ferrari of the same era could (even the look), all for a fraction of the price. That means you won’t just have the last laugh – you’ll have all of them.
1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible
Just because you graduated from a Rolling Stones T-shirt and blue jeans in the ’70s to a business suit doesn’t mean the perfect muscle car for you isn’t around anymore. This one might be just what the doctor ordered … Doctor Oldsmobile, that is.
This No Reserve 1971 442 (Lot #710) represents GM’s last official year of their “pull-no-punches” strategy designed to capture a greater share of the youthful muscle car market. You will not find a better example of that philosophy than this extremely well-equipped Oldsmobile 442.
This beautiful convertible is packing all the best equipment, including the Ram Air 455cid engine along with the W30 package. That meant it was balanced and blueprinted by the factory, had a higher performance camshaft than normal and a special Rochester Quadrajet carb. A low-restriction exhaust system frees up this big block’s breathing and makes it sound as eager as a gentleman’s hot rod should.
The very desirable Hurst Dual Gate shifter on this car’s stout Turbo 400 3-speed automatic spreads the good times to each gear convincingly whenever you feel the urge. Power steering and power brakes, tinted glass, power top and windows, and push-button radio with rear speaker all help to remind you that big block horsepower and torque can live together responsibly in elegant surroundings.
An FE-2 optional suspension package and posi-traction rear end dial up the pleasure meter on the total driving experience by placing all the performance of this car squarely where it belongs. That, of course, is to the pavement under the rear tires.
This matching-numbers Olds 442 convertible carries with it impeccable documentation, including GM of Canada paperwork and the original owner’s manual. There were only 110 442 convertibles produced with the W30 option. Of those, just 78 were equipped with the innovative Hurst Dual Gate shifter.
If you think performance and style constitute the best of both worlds, this very 1971 Oldsmobile 442 convertible has the credentials to stake its claim as the ultimate example of the brand.
In the middle of the classic era’s big-block horsepower war, Chevrolet introduced their small block solid-lifter, high-revving, high-compression 302 power plant. This concept had already been discovered by the savvy hot rod engine builders in the mid ’60s. Their “301” rendition was also known as a high-revving horsepower maker. So, when Chevrolet started to take Trans Am racing seriously, the division built a very serious small block of their own – the DZ302.
Hot-rodded by factory engineers wearing white shirts and ties, this solid lifter engine used a camshaft that displayed its aggression even at idle, let alone when it was flirting with excessive rpm. With the proper rear end gearing like 3.73s, this small block – and the car all around it – came to life like Dr. Frankenstein’s wildest dream. Word got out around the industry on this engine, too. In 1969 a Chrysler engineer was heard saying you could probably drive a Z/28 from Detroit to Toledo and back in first gear.
This 4-speed, Hurst shifted 2+2 coupe has already gone down in the history books as one of America’s – even the world’s – most brilliant performance cars. Imagine the price of a European passenger car back then that could lap Watkins Glen quicker than a ’69 Z/28.
Sure, everyone knows the 1967 and ’68 Z/28 Camaros were sweet with their smooth, fuselage look. Still, it was the ’69 model that won the hearts of the majority, and for all the right reasons, like two years of real-world development.
This well-equipped 1969 Camaro Z/28 (Lot #425) with 88,186 actual miles has been treated to a complete restoration on a car with impeccable credentials. Included are the D80 spoiler, a Hurst-shifted 4-speed, UH code radiator, factory tach, console with all gauges and factory designed cowl induction, along with front and rear spoilers.
A 1969 Camaro Z/28 such as this one should be considered the result of a groundbreaking moment in automotive design. Chevrolet took all our favorite car parts, put them together under a perfectly proportioned body, then gave us a driving machine we’d still be craving 50 years later. This is one of the best examples you’ll ever see of GM’s most exciting production cars.
These exciting cars and hundreds more will be crossing the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Las Vegas September 24-26, 2015. The time and opportunity will be right to bring one or more of your favorite memories back to life – and back home to the middle of your driveway.
– By independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson
For up-to-date information on these vehicles and others on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas docket, click HERE.