Next Rally: 2026 Fall Foliage Adventure - October 16 - 18, 2026.
1st - Team Profile
1st - Team Profile
1st - Team Profile
Team Name: Running on Empty!!
Team Instagram Account: @joycrusso
Team Members: Andy and Joy Russo
Team Hometown: Marlborough, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Been together since high school, married since 2001.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We enjoyed the rally so much the last two years and knew we would be back again. The rally is not only a fun adventure in your classic car, but you also meet great people during the rally and we have seen so many beautiful places along the way.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
We have always had in interest in classic cars. Andy is also a member of the Rattlers Car Club.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Rebuilt motor a week before rally!
Favorite road trip food?
Pretzels, we also like to grab Hannaford’s chicken tenders along the way if we are near a store.
2nd - Team Profile
1st - Team Profile
1st - Team Profile
Team Name: Wiley Racing
Team Instagram Account: @wiley_racing_ct
Team Members: Rich and Dan Wiley
Team Hometown: Cromwell, CT
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Entered the second Fortunato Rally (2022) after seeing coverage from first rally (2021).
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We've had a blast on past rallies.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
A lifetime of playing with cars.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Too many to list. The car had been parked since 2006, its only had a few shakedown miles so far.
Favorite road trip food?
Pizza, but now I dont have the big dashboard to rest slices on.
3rd - Team Profile
1st - Team Profile
1st - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: Flamingo Rally Sports
Team Instagram Account: @flamingo_rally_sports
Team Members: Dan and Gloria Curtis
Team Hometown: South Daytona, FL
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
I saw this drop dead Gorgeous blonde on the back of my buddies motorcycle in 1991. And when she didn’t show up with him later I asked him if they were together, Gomer said no, I said do you mind? And she’s been following me around ever since.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Our friends' team, The Wheel Deal, participated a few years ago and said it was a ball. We did it last year and yup, it’s a ball.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
My dad had a service station, I grew up with cars.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Yes, driving a 76 year old truck to 1,200 miles to the rally starting point.
Favorite road trip food?
Eating is not allowed in the truck!
1st - Vehicle Profile
1st - Vehicle Profile
1st - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1967 Chevy Camaro Conv
Powertrain: 327 small block V-8 engine with aluminum heads, Power Glide 2-speed automatic transmission, rear disc brakes.
Options/Features: Period correct interior, Original powertrain, period correct radio with cassette, period correct accessories.
Background: We purchased the car in March 2025. Previous owners had purchased it from a Barrett-Jackson Auction. Previous owner didn’t drive it and it sat for sometime. We dusted her off, and her cleaned up, did a few things to make sure she was road ready and have been enjoying driving it all season since.
2nd - Vehicle Profile
1st - Vehicle Profile
2nd - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1948 Dodge Custom Sedan
Powertrain: Rebuilt original 230 flathead 6-cylinder, electronic ignition, weber carb, Fluid Drive transmission and stock rear axle.
Options/Features: Fluid Drive, heat, and custom trim which is the chrome trim around the windows.
Background: Its my Mom's, Danny's grandma's car, until this week the last time Dan rode in it was in his mom's belly before he was born.
3rd - Vehicle Profile
1st - Vehicle Profile
2nd - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1949 Ford F1
Powertrain: Stock 226 flathead 6-cylinder, T-5 manual transmission, Ford 8in rear.
Options/Features: Year of manufacture tag, power steering.
Background: We’ve had it almost four years. Last year we took third place in the rally.
4th - Team Profile
4th - Team Profile
4th - Team Profile
Team Name: The Wheel Deal
Team Instagram Account: @thegreatrace.34
Team Members: Peter and Christine LaMountain
Team Hometown: Charlton, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
When we met.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Love of old cars and driving them.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Live and bleed old cars.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Choosing what car to take.
Favorite road trip food?
Beef jerky.
5th - Team Profile
4th - Team Profile
4th - Team Profile
Team Name: BluLagoon68
Team Instagram Account: @Blulagoon68
Team Members: Thomas Russo and Eva Bradley
Team Hometown: Marlborough, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Got together in high school in 2019; been together ever since through thick and thin.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Family has done it for a couple years and said we would enjoy it.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
My Father.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
None.
Favorite road trip food?
Pizza.
6th - Team Profile
4th - Team Profile
4th - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: That Blu Malibu
Team Instagram Account: @that_blu_malibu
Team Members: Daniel and Ryann O'Neill
Team Hometown: Vernon, CT
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Married couple that bought a classic car. Car shows are boring. We prefer driving this car.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Entered the rally last year and we are hooked. Defending our 2nd place finish from 2024. Been looking forward to this all year.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Vintage cars were always an interest for Dan. Finally found the time and the right car early 2024.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Getting ride height correct after coil over installation.
Favorite road trip food?
Beef Octane jerky.
4th - Vehicle Profile
4th - Vehicle Profile
4th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1967 Mercury Cougar
Powertrain: Original 289 V-8, no modifications , C4 automatic transmission.
Options/Features: XR7 trim.
Background: Just acquired it, figured we would break it in right.
5th - Vehicle Profile
4th - Vehicle Profile
5th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Powertrain: 350 small block V-8 engine, Turbo 400 3-speed automatic with overdrive.
Options/Features: Year of manufacture license plates.
Background: Had the car two years now. It was and still is my dream car, spent a better part of 3 years to find the right one. Since owning the car haven’t had to do anything to it besides the minor maintenance like servicing it.
6th - Vehicle Profile
4th - Vehicle Profile
5th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1966 Chevy Chevelle Malibu
Powertrain: 400 SBC V-8 with dual quads, Muncie 4-speed manual transmission.
Options/Features: Malibu trim. Converted to Manual on floor, dual quad, tilt column with wood steering wheel, coil overs all 4 corners, disc conversion up front. Upgraded vintage looking radio.
Background: Picked up the car in August 2024. Came out of a small car collection in Reading, PA.
7th - Team Profile
7th - Team Profile
7th - Team Profile
Team Name: Eldorado Express
Team Instagram Account: @jasonasisto
Team Members: Jason Sisto and Lucca Sisto
Team Hometown: Lincoln, RI
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Father and son.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Participated past two years.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
It's a passion (and addiction).
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Bolt stuck in engine block.
Favorite road trip food?
Dunkin’ Donuts.
8th - Team Profile
7th - Team Profile
7th - Team Profile
Team Name: Dually Noted
Team Instagram Account: @dually_noted88
Team Members: Rick, Jessie and Alaric Miller
Team Hometown: Bourne, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
About 13 years ago, we became a "team" when Rick's '91 Jetta broke down. He called AAA, and Jessie arrived in her tow truck to tow him back to the machine shop where he worked. Since then, we've had numerous cars and joined countless races together. Nine years ago, we welcomed a new teammate, Alaric, and we continue to compete for fun and glory!.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We have taken part in numerous SCCA GTA road rallies in MA, CT and NH and this seemed like the most natural progression to enhance our racing repertoire.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Rick - My dad was always working on some kind of street machine in the driveway when I was growing up. The most memorable ones from my childhood were his 1980 Capri and 1982 S-10. His 1980 Capri had a built-up 2.8 V-6, which was unusual compared to the typical V-8. People would often ask him to "pop the hood," amazed at how quick and mean it sounded. In the early '90s, he swapped a V-8 into his S-10, long before that became common. I also spent countless hours at the local speed shop, AutoMania (if anyone remembers), soaking up every bit of information I could as a kid.
Jessie - I worked for nearly 20 years in the towing and recovery industry, discovering a passion for delivering top-notch service to customers with unique, custom, and classic cars. For years, I was the go-to operator for many shops across Cape Cod, trusted to transport vehicles to their shops and for their clients. It was always exciting to say I’d had the chance to handle some incredibly rare cars. Sure, anyone can tow a Toyota Camry, but moving a mint-condition vintage car requires a whole different level of finesse.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
None.
Favorite road trip food?
Aunt Annies Pretzels, if we happen to come across one at a rest stop but, any pretzels will do.
9th - Team Profile
7th - Team Profile
7th - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: Big Pimpin
Team Instagram Account: @that78magnum
Team Members: Jordan Chokshi and Kira Fitch
Team Hometown: Farmington, CT
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
It started last year for us with the Foxbody Mustang I affectionately called the Nastang. I had mentioned the rally to Kira a few times since I had met her and she never hesitated to say no or well I don’t know what her answer was just yes, so here we are year two of doing the rally together.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Well, I have been doing them since the very first one it has just become a yearly tradition for me at this point, but my interest is that I get to drive and see other classic vehicles being driven instead of walking the rows at a car show that most of the cars there only really get driven to a show and put away were I drive all of my cars a few thousand miles per season and I believe that’s how it should be.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
I have been playing with cars and anything with an engine my whole life, I have spent the last 13 years restoring driving and racing classic cars. There’s something about them each one has its own characteristics and temperaments and you get to drive the cars not the other way around. Newer cars are just bland and dull and for the most part are all the same. That and when I pull up with one of my classic vehicles I get looks and questioned why I’m driving my father's car or grandfather's cars and I go well they are mine and that throws people for a loop and I think it’s funny, especially if I go to a show were nobody knows who I am which is getting harder to do but it’s funny to see the look on peoples faces when I step out of a 90 year old hot rod or the Magnum and they go well what is it and what do you know, then they are in for a surprise and I end up making friends everywhere, it’s a good time.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Well driving an obscure Chrysler product there are many things they don’t make anymore and if you can't modify something or get it out of a parts car or cross reference with another car you have to improvise like I had to do with the window motors and the heater core. I rebuilt the motors myself but the heater core I just bypassed and threw in a 1500 watt inverter and got a space heater for heat in the car. That and I found some more things that I need to adress after the rally that for now can wait. Oh and still no wipers but that’s what Rain X is for.
Favorite road trip food?
Wendy’s, chips, coffee, any food that’s edible.
7th - Vehicle Profile
7th - Vehicle Profile
7th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Conv
Powertrain: 500ci V-8, 3-speed automatic transmission.
Options/Features: Original paint, original interior, original powertrain, fwd, original hood ornament, period correct accessories, white walls, convertible, auto eye on headlights, turn signals on fenders,.
Background: Have owned for over 3 years.
8th - Vehicle Profile
7th - Vehicle Profile
8th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1988 GMC R3500
Powertrain: Original stock 454 c.i. V-8 engine, TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, and a 3:73 rear gear. Recently has been converted to a Holley Terminator X Multi-Port EFI system.
Options/Features: Original powertrain period correct Weld Racing Aluma-Dual wheels, patina paint, original interior (peep the dashboard carpet!).
Background: We acquired the truck back in 2017, but it sat neglected and unused until about three years ago—a classic case of having too many projects at once. Surely, we're not the only ones dealing with that, right? Since getting it back on the road, it’s been put through its paces during camping season, hauling a slide-in truck camper or towing the race car ('67 VW Beetle) to the track. Sometimes, it even handles the camper and enclosed trailer together. The truck definitely doesn’t have an easy life.
9th - Vehicle Profile
7th - Vehicle Profile
8th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1978 Dodge Magnum XE
Powertrain: 360 magnum V-8 engine with a lunatic truck high performance cam, a-727 3-speed automatic rebuilt with a 2k stall converter, led headlights, fog lights in the grill, I fixed the under glow added a couple creature comforts.
Options/Features: T tops, power windows, cruise control.
Background: I have had the car since 2017, my friends and I restored 2 Chrysler Cordobas for another friend who has a collection and in return I got the Magnum and they got experience and paid, of course this was in college and I drove it every day and to and from Rhode Island every week.
10th - Team Profile
10th - Team Profile
10th - Team Profile
Team Name: Rusty Stude
Team Instagram Account: @the_rusty_stude
Team Members: Richard and Michael Martinetti
Team Hometown: Saylorsburg, PA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Father and Son.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Spend time together, enjoy the car we built in the New England States.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
We have been into cars forever, always liked older cars rather than new. Did the rally last year and had fun so we came back.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
None.
Favorite road trip food?
Road trip food favs- plenty of coffee, Peanut Double stuffed Oreos, apples, coffee.
11th - Team Profile
10th - Team Profile
10th - Team Profile
Team Name: Master Gear Garage
Team Instagram Account: @mggfortunatorally
Team Members: Roman Sisto and Alex Campbell
Team Hometown: Lincoln, RI
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Shared passion of classic cars.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Have been participating for the past few years.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Father.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Getting the cars actually to run!
Favorite road trip food?
Cheez-Its.
12th - Team Profile
10th - Team Profile
10th - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: Moose Tracks
Team Instagram Account: @theprancingmoosetracks
Team Members: Jeremy and Don Thorn
Team Hometown: Danbury, CT
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
We've been a team for over 46 years, but now Jeremy is the Captain.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
This is our 4th year on the rally. We treasure our 3 days together.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
The first car I bought myself was a 1966 Volvo 1800S and I've had 3 others over the years. It's just fun to drive a simpler car where you really have to participate in the driving experience.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Nothing special this year.
Favorite road trip food?
A good seafood dinner or two along the way.
10th - Vehicle Profile
10th - Vehicle Profile
10th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1949 Studebaker 2R5 pickup
Powertrain: It’s on a 1998 Dodge Dakota 2WD frame. Mild 1989 318 V-8, 5-speed manual from another project.
Options/Features: Original parts including period correct interior, hood ornament, mostly original patina,
Background: Mike got this truck as a shell for his 13th birthday in 2015 and we finished it together.
11th - Team Profile
10th - Vehicle Profile
12th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 560 SL
Powertrain: 5.6-liter V-8, 4-speed automatic.
Options/Features: Original interior, original powertrain, bosh ke fuel injection, original hood ornament, period correct accessories (hardtop).
Background: Had the car for 1 year. Purchased at Barrett Jackson.
12th - Vehicle Profile
10th - Vehicle Profile
12th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1989 Volvo 245 DL Wagon Powertrain: Stock FI Volvo 4 cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. 114 hp, 0-60 if it feels like it, but only on sunny days
Options/Features: Our car is stock except for the horns and grill badge. 36 years old with original drive train, paint, upholstery, etc.
Background: I bought this car 2 years ago so we could drive an automatic transmission instead of my 1965 Volvo 122S 4-speed.The visibility in the 245 is much better than in the 122.
13th - Team Profile
13th - Team Profile
13th - Team Profile
Team Name: Team Nailhead
Team Instagram Account: @teamnailhead
Team Members: Dan and Stacey Wilkinson
Team Hometown: Marlborough, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
We got married, bought a Buick, and signed up.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We live by the motto "everyday is an adventure" (or as Ferris Bueller put it: "life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it"). This will be one big adventure for our memory book!
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Dan was given Hot Wheels as Christmas presents when he was a kid. Stacey also had a Hot Wheels collection as a kid. We met 30 years later - then, as stated earlier: got married and bought a Buick.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Have you seen my keys recently? ... Oh wait, never mind, here they are.
Favorite road trip food?
Dan: "Fruit slices. I mean the candy, not the healthy stuff."
Stacey: "As much candy as possible. It should look like a 10-year-old was given $100 and told to spend it all on candy."
14th - Team Profile
13th - Team Profile
13th - Team Profile
Team Name: Malaise B Body
Team Instagram Account: @malaiseBbody
Team Members: Michael Brodeur and Paul Poitras
Team Hometown: Rochester, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Friends since elementary school.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Did it last year and had a blast!
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
First word was car according to my mom!
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Miscellaneous leaks and other issues.
Favorite road trip food?
Burgers.
15th - Team Profile
13th - Team Profile
13th - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: Sparky and Crutch
Team Instagram Account: @zwclevesque
Team Members: Zachary Levesque and Bruce Dean
Team Hometown: North Adams, MA
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Grandfather and Grandson team for 27 years.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Took part last year and wanted to experience it again.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
My grandfather worked in gas station/repair shops in the 60s and owned a variety of classics like 1964 Chevy impala and 1971 Mustang Mach 1. I have always enjoyed simple mechanics like carbs and small block engines.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Torque converter went this spring. So we dropped the transmission in the driveway with the car on jack stands. We used a cinder block and wood planks with a hydraulic jack to put it back into place. Great time for some upgrades like a corvette servo, higher stall converter and a lock up kit.
Favorite road trip food?
Cumberland Farms empanadas and any kind of fresh made tacos.
13th - Vehicle Profile
13th - Vehicle Profile
13th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
Powertrain: 401 nailhead motor (stock - fun fact: it was labeled in the factory as 400 to comply with GM's rules for midsized car engines). Super Turbine 300 2-speed automatic transmission (stock).
Options/Features: 1965 was the first year for the Gran Sport model. There were around 11,000 produced, so most likely there are not too many of them left on the road today. Other notable features: original restored interior, factory installed AC (in working condition), original dashboard (including radio and cigarette lighter), original hood ornament. Another fun fact: in Massachusetts, 1965 was the only year you couldn't get a dated license plate.
Background: We've had this car for less than a year. It came from the estate of a serious car collector who unfortunately passed away. Although we didn't know the previous owner, we're sure he'd be happy that the car is getting miles on it and not just sitting around in a garage.
14th - Vehicle Profile
13th - Vehicle Profile
14th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1978 Buick Lesabre Custom
Powertrain: Buick 350 V-8 with TH350 3-speed automatic transmission.
Options/Features: Pea green paint with matching crushed velour seats, 1984 Delaware state parks sticker, full Custom Autosound stereo .
Background: Owned car for 4 years, car was destined for the scrap yard but I saved it from that demise. Full repaint with base clear in original metallic green paint color. May have some sort of government official background?
15th - Vehicle Profile
13th - Vehicle Profile
14th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1986 Chevy Camaro
Powertrain: SBC 350 V-8, 600cfm carb, 700r4 4-speed automatic transmission with 3.42 gears in the rear.
Options/Features: Aftermarket sunroof, fiberglass SS hood, factory rear defrost.
Background: I’ve had the car for 3 years and in that time I’ve been able to put around 9,000 miles on and visit 12 of the 50 states with it. Hoping to grow that number this upcoming summer.
16th - Team Profile
16th - Team Profile
16th - Team Profile
Team Name: Kidult Racing
Team Instagram Account: @kidult_racing
Team Members: John Gudaitis and Tim Parzych
Team Hometown: Broad Brook, CT
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
We're cousins.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We've had a blast the past 2 years participating.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
We both got the interest from our fathers.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Due to having to exit last year's rally due to mechanical issues, had to replace upper and lower ball joints. Sway bar links. Steering rag joint. And oil pump gasket. And new tires and rims
Favorite road trip food?
Beef jerky.
17th - Team Profile
16th - Team Profile
16th - Team Profile
Team Name: Team Gutentight
Team Instagram Account: @gutentighte30
Team Members: Phillip, Artemis and Yianni Christou
Team Hometown: Mt. Laurel, NJ
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
I have three sons. The third Leonidas could not make the rally due to a scheduling conflict. My sons and I have worked on many projects together which include home remodeling, vintage car restorations and many other Father & Son projects. They are also my favorite golf foursome
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
In October 2022 we started our latest car project, a 1985 BMW 325E. We completed the first phase of the project when I saw an Instagram ad about the Fortunato Rally. I thought what a great way to enjoy all the work we have put into the car over the past year. This will be our third rally in this car. My sons and I really enjoyed last year’s rally and hope to continue. We were going to register a second car but could not find a fourth driver. It is our 1974 BMW 2002tii. Hopefully we can bring it next year.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
I have been a car enthusiast my entire life and it has definitely rubbed off on the next generation. This includes Matchbox cars, Hot Wheels, model cars, go karts, slot cars, RC cars and vintage cars. We also believe that the vintage cars have a lot more personality than today's new cars.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
This year's rally prep included upgrading the sway bars on the BMW. As always working on an older car has it's challenges. We had to drill holes in the body of the car to accommodate the heavier duty sway bar mounts in the rear of the car.
Favorite road trip food?
Tastykakes, Pizza, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and Coffee.
18th - Team Profile
16th - Team Profile
16th - Vehicle Profile
Team Name: Pooleboys
Team Instagram Account: @Poole8006
Team Members: Rick and Ken Poole
Team Hometown: Deerfield, NH
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
Brothers.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
Something fun to do.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Always liked them.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
None.
Favorite road trip food?
Chips.
16th - Vehicle Profile
16th - Vehicle Profile
16th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1967 Buick Special
Powertrain: 1973 Buick 350 V-8 with a mild cam and aluminum intake, 4-speed manual, posi rear.
Options/Features: Everything kept to look stock.
Background: I've had the car for 24 years now. Was bought by accident at auction.
17th - Vehicle Profile
16th - Vehicle Profile
17th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1985 BMW 325e
Powertrain: 2.7 liter M20 “stroker” motor. The stroked motor from the factory 6 cylinder bottom end with the high performance heads from the 80’s 325i. Mated to a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission, and a swapped LSD differential from a BMW Z3.
Options/Features: The color and interior of the car are stock. The car was repainted the original color by the previous owner. The car has the original factory radio that works including the tape deck.
Background: I purchased the car November of 2019. My wife and I spotted the car during one of our morning walks with a For Sale sign on it. I knew that my sons were looking for this particular model for a specific project they had in mind. We drove the car as-is for a few years while we began our research into what we wanted to have done.
The project began in October 2022 and includes the following modifications;
- Engine swap. Removal of stock motor and replaced with 2.7 M20 Stroker Differential replaced with LSD 3.63 ration from an early 2000 BMW Z3 High performance fuel pump and injectors
- Megasquirt ECU with wideband 02 sensor
- All rust repair performed on firewall and floor boards. I taught myself how to weld and performed rust repair.
- Updated all suspension components including bilstien b8 front struts, H&R springs, control arms, bushings, rear springs and shocks, rebuilt Z3 quick ratio steering rack and tie rods
- New front and rear brake calipers, rotors, pads, steel braided brake lines New exhaust system with long tube equal length headers
- New clutch, pressure plate, clutch master and slave cylinders and hydraulic lines. Alpina steering wheel
- Recaro bucket seats
- Ireland Engineering front and rear sway bars with adjustable end links
18th - Vehicle Profile
16th - Vehicle Profile
17th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
Powertrain: 216 Stovebolt 6-cylinder engine, 3-speed manual transmission with column shift, no modification.
Options/Features: None.
Background: Had the car for a few years, rebuilt it.
19th - Team Profile
Team Name: The Banquet Bandits
Team Instagram Account: @Senseirice
Team Members: Silas Magargee, Frank Lake and David Mullett
Team Hometown: Hooksett, NH
Team Q&A
How did your team become a team?
We all try to do at least one group trip every year and we have since we were about 18. Being into cars the trip usually revolves around some kind of car event so when we found this event wasn't a minimum 10 hour drive away we figured we'd sign up as a team.
What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?
We always see events that happen like halfway across the country and they look fun but it'd take us days of driving just to get there and back. So we found this is local to us and decided to try it out.
How did you develop an interest in vintage cars?
Mostly by working in the auto trades, the more I work on modern cars the more I never want anything that's too new to have an ash tray.
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?
Well we were going to take a Ford Galaxie but it started knocking after putting a swap meet engine in it. So we're taking my Volvo as a somewhat last minute change.
Favorite road trip food?
Gas station tornados.
19th - Vehicle Profile
Vehicle: 1984 Volvo 242
Powertrain: B23F 4-cylinder engine with a K cam and M46 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
Options/Features: It's got stickers, rust holes in the floor, and it leaks oil really bad. Does that count for anything?
Background: I only got the car back in June but it's my 5th 240. I've had two sedans and two wagons but I always wanted a coupe and I finally found one that was affordable and in good enough condition for me to work with.