As with all things in life, street rodding is subject to the pendulum of human emotions, and as tastes change, interests evolve. What was once fueled by the need and passion to create unique, personalized transportation was eventually driven more and more by creative spirit and emerging technologies. The style continues as rodders look beyond static displays to discover exciting new rewards on the highways and back roads across America.

You see, this car is equally at home at a car show, on the highway, and even blasting across vast expanses of pavement as an autocross contestant. Few would guess—especially unwary Porsche or Corvette owners—that this fat-fendered expression of style is actually comfortably at home on twisty two-lane roads and mountain switchbacks. Hidden beneath its vintage flanks is a highly capable chassis that can aptly deal with the vehicle dynamics of going fast and making turns.

It was decided that while they could rethink the wheels, General Motors had already applied more engineering might than the two of them could ever muster. Nowhere is this more evident than in the C5 Corvette suspension, which has proven worthy of the challenges of world-class racing. While most people opt for the C4 Corvette suspension since it is more readily available and easier to adapt to rodding applications, the C5 suspension adds a higher level of capability and road control—not to mention riding comfort.

The basis for the engine to come was already assembled, yet everything was reworked to suit the street-based intentions of this ’40 coupe. The Iron Eagle block was fitted with Brodix-12 18-degree raised-port cylinder heads, while an intermediary plate is used beneath the intake manifold, which might have proved difficult for some to incorporate within the confines of this engine compartment. As for the numbers, torque peaks at 607 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, while horsepower tops out at 711 at 6,200 rpm on pump gas! We told you this was one mighty impressive ’40—and it’s fast.

As capricious as we are, springing from one appreciation to another, we usually return to the things we’ve enjoyed most, which is one of the beautiful things about street rodding—and all forms of automotive interest, for that matter. The enthusiasm is never-ending, and for most of us, it grows stronger as the years roll by, rejuvenating and building our appreciation for all the things we have known, along with so many new discoveries that keep our interests alive.

The Ron Sturgeon Collection