A Chevrolet Chevelle That Has Some Secrets Behind Its Factory Appearance
The “sleeper car” is one that hides performance behind a plain wrapper, and normally a factory muscle car like a GTO, Cutlass or Chevelle isn’t referred to as a sleeper car. But there can still be more than what some would expect, and for Ron Augustine’s 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle, there truly is a bit more to this muscle car.
Underneath the factory-correct appearance, a twin-turbocharged 5.3-liter LS-based powerplant resides between the frame rails. Backed with an overdrive 4L80 transmission, Ron has plenty of power to move the nearly two-ton chassis, but still retain all the street manners. “With a drag-and-drive event, I hope to make it through with all of the great people involved and the car to run trouble free,” said Ron.
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This ‘72 Chevelle is more than just a sweet ride to enjoy street and track time in; for Ron, it’s something to enjoy with family. “I raced before marriage and kids,” he said. “Then I started again with my 3 boys in 2000, and have been ever since.”
The Oklahoma-based Chevy has attended a total of six Rocky Mountain Race Week events, completing five of them. “We have a great time as a family doing RMRW,” Ron said. “I do this with my stepdaughter. She runs a 1968 C-10 pick-up, and loves it.”
After his success with Rocky Mountain Race Week, Ron ventured to Florida to participate in Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive this year. “This is my first time; once I give it a shot then I will know more,” he said of what to expect. “It is in Florida in February, that makes it super right there.”
Ron chose the Dial-Your-Own (DYO) class for Sick Week, and the Chevelle opened with a 10.90 time slip at Orlando for day one. He improved to a best of the week 10.54 at 131 mph on day three at South Georgia Motorsports Park, and combined with a pair of 11-second passes and a 15.37 final lap, Ron completed the week with a 12.01 average. What’s next for Ron? “I’m going to Sick Summer next,” he said.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine.