Written by Nicole Ellan James
Tyler Hoover, a “Barrett-Jackson LIVE” on-air commentator, parlayed a humble job at a Chevrolet dealership during college into a career as an automotive writer and popular American YouTuber with more than 1.4 million followers on his “Hoovies Garage” channel. For the 2022 Houston Auction, October 20-22 at NRG Center, Hoover has chosen to offer a select few of his many acquisitions — including the star of one of his most popular series of videos: Lot #720, a custom 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird.
Back in the day, 2,000 Superbirds were produced to meet NASCAR homologation requirements. Of those, 135 received 426ci HEMI engines. According to Hoover, this Superbird started its life as one of those actual R-code 426ci HEMIs. It was raced and wrecked, and the original HEMI V8 engine was lost somewhere along the way.
Due to the condition of the vehicle, the owner at the time opted for a custom build, which started by sourcing a driver’s door and floor midsection from a Road Runner. The addition of these parts led to its status in the Superbird registry as a partial re-body.
Currently, this Superbird receives power from a 528ci HEMI crate engine that was recently dyno-tuned and rated with over 500 horsepower. The engine is hooked to a TREMEC 5-speed manual transmission, and its stance comes from a custom coilover front suspension. All this power comes to a halt with a set of Wilwood brakes.
The custom Superbird is finished in its factory-correct EK2 Vitamin C Orange paint scheme. It also received improvements like an aluminum radiator, high-capacity electric cooling fans, power windows, a custom stereo system and a Vintage Air system. It is important to note that the HEMI Superbird was never offered from the factory with air conditioning, making it a welcome modern addition to this car.
Offered along with the Superbird is Lot #474.1, Hoover’s 1988 Porsche 928 S4. The 928 S4 is powered by a quad-cam 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 316 horsepower and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This combination can propel the car to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
The Porsche comes finished in Cassis Red Metallic with a burgundy leather interior. It features power-adjustable heated seats, front and rear air conditioning, and an upgraded Porsche Design touchscreen Bluetooth stereo.
Other unique offerings from Hoover include Lot #360, a 1991 GMC Syclone pickup, and Lot #354, a 1984 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. The pickup is one of 2,998 Syclone examples offered by GM following the discontinuation of the Buick Grand National. It was built to carry the “big turbo, big performance” torch and features a large turbo fitted to the 4.3-liter V6 engine and an all-wheel-drive system that allows the truck to launch itself from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. This example includes lowered suspension, ground effects and wide alloy wheels.
The K5 Blazer from his collection was featured on the MotorTrend TV series “Car Issues.” It remains unmodified and is finished in two-tone brown metallic and white with a tan interior. Equipped with the Silverado package, it comes with air conditioning, power windows, power brakes, a factory-original cassette player and a removable hardtop.
Lastly, Hoover offers Lot #108, a 1990 Mazda MX5 Miata convertible powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Miata is finished in its original Crystal White paint with cloth interior and vinyl soft-top. When new, this car was optioned with alloy wheels and air conditioning.
See all the cars in this select offering from Tyler Hoover’s collection and more cross the block at the 2022 Houston Auction. Register to bid today.