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Poison Dart Wins In Detroit
The Poison Dart took 1st place in Semi-Hardtop Custom class at the Detroit Autorama. |
Project X is Reborn
It has been the subject of more enthusiast magazine build stories than any other car and has graced the cover of Popular Hot Rodding (PHR) countless times. It even played a supporting role in “Hollywood Knights,” serving as the supercharged transportation for Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer.
The car is Project X, the most famous 1957 Chevy ever built – and rebuilt. Since its debut in PHR more than 40 years ago, Project X has served as a rolling, evolving test bed of high-performance parts and a bell weather of automotive culture trends. But while this perpetual project car has never absolutely been finished, it has undergone several complete rebuilds – transformations that have contemporized its performance and styling.
General Motors and PHR collaborated during the past year to redesign, restore and re-power the iconic yellow shoebox, including the first of a limited number of Anniversary 427 crate engines.
But while Project X has traditionally been a platform for aftermarket performance, GM Performance Division restored it with a great balance of O.E.M. parts and craftsmanship, complementing a roster of components supplied by the performance industry’s top manufacturers, including PJ’s Trim Shop in Hemlock, MI.
As with the exterior, Project X’s cabin was completely dismantled and rebuilt – with plenty of subtle details and tricks. With only a few weeks to create an interior worthy of a historical heavyweight, PJ and his crew went to work.
The front seats began life as Cadillac STS units and were modified to give them a chopped-down, slimmer look – including the removal of the headrests. The rear seat is from a 1956 Buick and it was modified with an aluminum center trim panel. All the seats are covered in rich, black leather with grey cloth inserts.
Additional interior details include door panel trim that mimics the design of the exterior trim, a sporty steering wheel from a 1963 Impala SS and a ’64 Impala center console that was widened to fit the space between the late-model STS seats. Rising out of the console is a classic Hurst shifter that is used to stir the Richmond five-speed.
Some of Project X’s best interior details are hidden in plain sight, including the power window switches. They’re connected to the original-type manual window cranks, which require only a quarter-turn to lower or raise the windows – giving the interior a great blend of vintage style and modern technology. A Kenwood audio system is also hidden in the interior and it is operated via an overhead touch-screen control panel. The panel also contains controls for the exhaust cut-outs, fog lights and trunk release.
Other hidden features are located in the trunk, which was re-done in hand-formed steel – including the wide wheel “tubs” – and incorporates side access panels for storage and to keep the rear-mounted battery out of view.
Project X was debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to rave reviews. Look for it in the pages of Popular Hot Rodding and on HOT ROD TV! |
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Reggie's '69
Legendary baseball player and ardent car collector Reggie Jackson has a muscle car as strong as his World Series batting record. Jackson partnered with General Motors and PJ’s Trim Shop to build a
one-of-a-kind modern muscle machine that serves as a developmental showcase for GM’s new LSX family of performance engine components. The powerful LSX 454 small-block engine is backed by a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission and a sturdy
12-bolt rear axle with 3.91 gears.Additionally, Jackson’s Camaro features a host of custom features, including a scorching red hue derived from the Camaro concept vehicle, contemporary suspension upgrades and a black leather interior. The original seats were replaced with new bucket seats from a 02' Cavalier. They were re-trimmed in black leather and feature baseball-style stitching. To achieve the genuine baseball look, PJ'S hand stitched every seam in the stylish buckets.The original loop carpet was tossed for ahigh end Cadillac grosspoint material with matching floor mats. Door panels on this car didn't get overlooked either as they were finished with custom moldings, emblems and carpet then dressed in leather as well. Buildup of the Camaro will be featured on Hot Rod TV on ESPN this March, with footage shot of the car's build, engine assembly at Warren Johnson's shop, a tour of Jackson's collection, testing at the GM Proving Ground in Milford,Michigan, and more. "It is an exciting car and was an exciting project to be involved with," said Jackson. "GM was involved in every stage of the buildup, so this is very much a 'new-old' Camaro built to OE specs."
For more on this big league hitter
click here. |
Murray Pfaff's Fire Maker
PJ's Trim Shop brings Murray Pfaff's Fire Maker from rendering to reality. PJ has turned to Pfaff Designs several times to help design and render interiors for clients, however, this time the tables were turned. Murray selected the team at PJ's to sew his vision on the mammoth 1956 Cadillac project. Working from PJ's renderings, the black leather interior featuring purple ultra-suede and embossed leather seat inserts came together with the additional talent of Pat's brother, Jeff Russell. The duo put in lots of overtime covering seats, sculpted door panels, dash cover, custom console, headliner, and more. You will be able to view the creation at SEMA in Las Vegas and the Detroit Autorama. |
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Summer School Chevelle
PJ’s Trim Shop is a participating partner in the restoration of the GM Performance Parts 1970 Chevelle SS. If you were at SEMA in LAS VEGAS this past fall you got the first look at this beautiful car inside and out. If you did not attend that show don’t worry, you can see this car built from start to finish on the hit TV show RIDES. (check your local listings for details) Maybe you would like to get a closer look at this ground pounding big block Chevelle, well you can at the Detroit AUTORAMA march 3rd-5th in the GM PERFORMANCE PARTS display. From there the next stop is the HOT ROD POWER TOUR where you can see and hear this ride rumble across America. |
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