Best of SEMA 2013 #5 – Strange Corvair

Posted by Brian on Nov 18, 2013 in Featured, Muscle & Style | 4 comments

Custom Chevy Corvair Even Ralph would Love at 2013 SEMA Show

 

This is the 5th installment of Best of SEMA Show 2013… Carrie Strange’s Corvair, eh FRONT engine Corvair!!

 

 

In the early 1990’s, “Dare to be Different” was the battle cry of the street machine crowd, and many alternative body styles were sought out and made into some bad-ass rides. From radical little Nash-bodied pro-streeters to slammed Studebakers and odd-year Buicks, it all became fair game.

 

Tim Strange has built his share of different cars over the years, even a wild, Hemi-powered 1951 DeSoto, so it should come as no surprise that when his wife Carrie wanted a Periwinkle-hued, no make that orchid hued, front engine Corvair that he’d be all over it.

 

And all over it in record time!

 

Tim and Carrie built this stunning Corvair in three and-a-half months (between another SEMA build and customer cars, no less!) in their Nashville-based shop, Strange Motion Rod and Custom Construction.

 

 

Starting with a Fat Man front stub, Tim built a custom 2×4-inch tube chassis, mounting the side draft-carbed 4.3L V-6 and TH-2004R up front. Power hits the pavement via a polished aluminum center section Dutchman 9-inch Ford rear, rotated by a driveshaft by Dan’s Driveline. Stopping chores are the responsibility of Wilwood 6-piston calipers, and the roiling stock consists of 18×7-inch front and 20×10-inch rear Budnik G-Series wheels in brushed Tungsten and wrapped in BF Goodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 rubber.

 

What makes the three and-a-half month build time (again, mostly weekends) so incredible is all the work you don’t see to create a front-engine car where a mid-engine layout once lived. Tim restored the body, but created an all-new firewall, floor and transmission tunnel, and created a stronger substructure to provide the right foundation for a fun, great-handling car.

 

 

The V-6 looks right at home, and the shortness of the engine, combined with the radical set-back,  creates a European touring car-inspired feel when the hood is popped. Speaking of the hood, dig on the Corvette stinger-inspired scoop. Little tips of the hat to performance cars of the past are in place from bumper to bumper. It’s a fun car to look at, and little details continue to pop out with each walk-around.

 

(That’s Mr. Tim Strange himself through the window on the left side)

 

The pinkish Corvair has a unique look that blends classic and modern, using brushed nickel finishes from Advanced Plating to bring some brightwork to the nearly shaved body. Did you happen to catch that slick billet grille by Alumicraft?

 

 

The subtle stuff pops out all over the place! The theme continues inside, with the narrowed 1959 Impala dash filled with white-face Dakota Digital gauges. Owner-sewn Summit Racing seats have some vintage Ferrari feel, don’tcha think? A Kicker sound system provides ample entertainment should Carrie need an escape from the killer exhaust note or all of the attention the car seems to attract.

 

 

Having debuted at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the notorious compact made its way to the Goodguys Southwest Nationals, where it held court in the Meguiars Car Crazy display in Scottsdale, AZ. From there, Carrie and Tim plan on getting the car ready for some heavy road use in the coming year, including Hot Rod’s Power Tour.

 

 

There are few things greater than seeing a happy couple, and when it’s a happy couple that builds some unique cars, it’s absolute inspiration for others to go forth and be just as Strange.

 

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