These two Barrett-Jackson Cup alumni – a 1970 Chevrolet KAM Nova Custom Coupe (Lot #1363) and a 1955 Chevy 210 Custom Sedan (Lot #1295) will be in the spotlight on the Barrett-Jackson block in January.
Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Magnante
The radically customized Chevrolets featured here share a unique and unequaled pedigree. Although they are the work of custom shops located on opposite sides of the globe ‒ the sleek black ’70 Chevy KAM Nova hails from Robert Zahabi and the Rides by KAM shop in Queensland, Australia, while the trick red ’55 Chevy 210 is from Speed Sports in Gilbert, Arizona ‒ they were part of an exclusive group of customs entered into the third annual Barrett-Jackson Cup competition in August 2015.
The 1957 Chevrolet Custom Truck known as “QuikSilver” (Lot #1362) took home the Ultimate Best of Show title in the 2014 Cup competition, and will be crossing the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale block in January.
For some context, the Barrett-Jackson Cup was initiated in 2013 as an annual contest to celebrate the most innovative and skillfully executed custom cars in the world. Top builders answered the call, with Rad Rides by Troy winning that inaugural competition. This is a big deal. With over $100,000 in cash and prizes to be divided between the top five finalists, only the best and the brightest dare to enter this high-stakes showdown. This is no place for amateur efforts. Only the best are considered.
In 2015, the task of selecting the Top 25, then the Top Five and finally the winning Ultimate Best of Show fell to the hands of the judges, celebrated car builders and customizers Pete Chapouris, Bobby Alloway and Bob Millard, who spent hours examining every car for style, features and presentation.
This 1970 Chevrolet KAM Nova (Lot #1363) stunned crowds at Australian car shows, the 2014 SEMA show and the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup competition.
Without exception, every Top 25 contender for the Barrett-Jackson Cup is a world-class car. And while the creations entered into the Barret-Jackson Cup competition were barred from the auction block during the competition … there’s no stopping them now. In fact, the legendary Barrett-Jackson auction block is the obvious next move for those builders looking to begin a new project.
Three exquisite Barrett-Jackson Cup alumni will be sharing the stage at the 2016 Scottsdale auction, all offered at No Reserve. Joining the 2014 Ultimate Best of Show winner – a pristine 1957 Chevrolet Custom Pickup known as “QuikSilver” – will be this stunning pair of 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup finalists, presenting a special opportunity for all bidders to add a professionally judged custom to their collection.
The Nova’s 1,500hp Chevy big block is fed by twin, symmetrically mounted F2 ProChargers.
Straight off a world tour, this sinister black 1970 Chevrolet KAM Nova Custom Coupe is motivated by a 1,500hp Chevy big block that’s fed by twin, symmetrically mounted F2 ProChargers and backed by a full-manual TH400 automatic. (In case you are wondering if that is a typo — yes, it is correct: 1,500 horsepower.)
To achieve the radical low stance, major portions of the floor pan were separated from the sills and raised to accommodate the 4-inch diameter exhaust system. You really must inspect this car in person to appreciate the level of hand finishing and detail. All factory seams have been smoothed and both bumpers finessed to merge with adjoining body panels without bumps or gaps. To restore proportions, the rocker sills were extended 2 inches, with this and the entire construction process taking place in an two-year campaign performed at Rides by Kam in Queensland.
A Top 25 Cup contender in 2015, this stunning 1955 Chevy 210 Custom Sedan (Lot #1295) combines cutting-edge mechanical modernity and traditional lines.
In an online interview, Australian builder Zahabi said, “I spent a long time figuring out what was going to be the next big thing. The Nova is an awesome shape and I thought it would suit the Pro Touring look.” After stunning crowds at Australian car shows like the 28th annual Summernats, the KAM Nova was shipped to the States, where it snagged Top 20 honors at Goodguys Ohio for Street Machine of the Year and was in the winner’s circle at Goodguys Delmar in California. Then it was on to the Cup competition in Nevada, where The Triumvirate (Alloway, Chapouris and Alloway) anointed it as a 2015 Top 25 Cup finalist. (For videos on this car, click HERE.)
From closer to Barrett-Jackson’s headquarters and WestWorld, the stunning red 1955 Chevy 210 Custom Sedan from Arizona’s Speed Sports also attracted Top 25 laurels at the 2015 Cup event with its combination of cutting-edge mechanical modernity and traditional lines. Riding on a Roadster Shop chassis with Penske shocks, Wilwood 6-piston disc brakes counteract the all-aluminum Dart 540ci Chevy big block and AFR heads. An 8-stack electronically controlled Hilborn induction system nods to the past while adding easy around-town drivability – or fierce full-throttle acceleration when needed.
The Chevy 210 features an all-aluminum Dart 540ci Chevy big block and AFR heads.
Inside, the custom cockpit features twin bucket seats and a center console-mounted shift handle for the 4L80-E overdrive automatic transmission. An Ididit adjustable steering column and custom Budnik steering wheel complement the Hydraboost braking system for easy vehicle control on the street or gymkhana course. Massive Michelin Pilot supercar tires and Budnik rims deliver a contact patch capable of grip levels in excess of 1G.
Like the sleek Australian-built Nova, the Speed Shop Sports team finessed the ’55 shoebox’s flanks with a thorough blueprinting of the factory stainless-steel trim – which was then chrome-plated for extra measure. The stock ’55 door handles gave way to a set of Kindig-It Design smooth door handles. If Kindig’s name sounds familiar, he’s the star of the hit Velocity Channel show “Bitchin’ Rides.” His patented door handles grace numerous customs of many descriptions, but work especially well on the expansive flanks of this Tri-Five Chevy.
So here we have it, a pair of recent Barrett-Jackson Cup contenders, fresh from the acclaimed 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup competition and right onto the auction block. These superlative Chevys have been honored by a most qualified panel of judges as being among the best of the breed ‒ and if you bid hard enough, you could own them!
– Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Magnante
For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the Scottsdale docket, click HERE.