- BODY: Aurora Model Motoring
- WHEELS & TIRES: Road Race Replicas
I love Chevy Chevelles and Malibus; most fans of classic American cars do! Of all the early Chevelles, the ’66 and ’67 models are the standouts in my book: they are the best combination of style, performance, quality, and size, and they drive as beautifully as they look. I know; I’ve owned 2 of them in my lifetime, albeit briefly (both ’66 Malibus, one a 2-door HT with an original 283 and a powerglide, the other a rare wagon in its original green with green interior with a transplanted 350 and TH350). I’ve wrenched on more Chevelles than any other model of car with the possible exception of their spiritual forebears, the ’55 and ’56 Bel-Airs and 210’s. I know these cars, and there are few other vehicles of this era from any manufacturer that can top them for sheer joy of ownership. The Model Motoring rendition of this car is a beautifully proportioned piece, as this model clearly shows; this was the 2nd copy I acquired in a bright lemon yellow with a black top, a color combo which looks as good on the real thing as it does on this toy.
After “Team ’67 Heaven” was founded by Shane “Storm Rider” Sutherland’s ’67 Malibu SS “White Lightning” and Todd “T-Bone” Taggart’s orange ’67 GTO “Skull Crusher,” Brody “Big Beat” Banner was the next inductee with this car, his own 396-powered Malibu SS named “The Sultan.” Though it is a factory original SS, the car has been restored and modified through the years, trading its original modest hue of “butternut yellow” for a much brighter shade, though it retains most of its original black interior along with a recovered but original-spec black vinyl top. Mechanically the car did not originally have the super-hi-po (and super rare) L78 option, but was instead the 325HP L35 mated to a TH400 automatic. That original drivetrain is now relegated to history, replaced with a super-high end “L78 plus” with aluminum heads and intake, headers, and a Holley Dominator carb which has dyno’d out to 410 HP. This connects to an M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed gearbox and ends at a race-spec posi-traction rear with 3.73 gears, offering a balance of getaway and top-end. Naturally every conceivable handling and braking upgrade has been made to the car, so it now handles like a vehicle half its size and weight; performance that was never available when she was new.
“The Sultan” has consistently been one of the top performers at Drag City and remains so to this day, even after countless race wins and several tournament trophies. Older than many of the racers, Alabama-born and raised Banner is a skilled and experienced driver; he’s owned this car since 1975 and knows every nut and bolt in it, and this bond between man and machine shows in his results at the track. “Big Beat” Banner shows no signs of retiring any time soon, and “The Sultan” shows no signs of slowing down!
Looking like that, the Sultan couldn’t slow down if it wanted to! It looks like a comet just standing still and yellow and black is a knock out combination!