A Comp Cams solid lift cam keeps the power in check at high rpm. A Milodon oil pan works in tandem with a Mellings Hi-Volume oil pump. Also along for the ride are an ATI Super Damper, Plasma Moly Rings for serious competition, Clevite H-Series rod and main bearings, and a Manley roller bearing timing chain. A duo of gutsy-toned Hooker headers pound out the glory through a set of 3.5-inch Dynomax mufflers.
From the beginning, a Ford 9-inch rear end and Strange axles were part of the transformation. Mike Lang of Burleson, Texas, installed the break-the-bank suspension setup that dropped the car 2 inches on four adjustable coilover shocks. Custom tubular control arms were mounted in the front and a ladder bar suspension was set up in the rear. This arrangement comes down around 18x8-inch Eagle alloy wheels up front and 20x8 Eagle alloys in the rear. Both are wrapped tightly in Nitto NT555 performance tires (245/40/18s front and 275/35/20s rear).
It’s amazing how a machine over 35-years-old can become an exceptional piece of art. But with it comes a price—patience and attention to detail. As many of us learn along the way, sometimes getting carried away has the best results in the end. Through his years of hard work and outside-the-box mentality, Craig has definitely built a show-stopping ride. And with the amount of power and fun this car dishes out, it’s no wonder the 12-gallon tank-load of fuel doesn’t last long, but the rush it provides is well worth the cost of 93-octane swill, no matter what the price.