Completing Their First Drag-and-Drive Inspires a Father-Son to Build a Quicker Ride at Their Second Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks
Once the ball starts rolling on an idea, or even a hobby, it can be hard to stop it.
The father-son team of Steven and A.J. Lloyd recently completed their first drag-and-drive appearance at Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks in an eye-grabbing Sunburnt Orange 1980 Chevrolet Malibu wagon, and not only are they plotting a second appearance, but a new ride to do it.
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“I own the orange wagon, and he purchased the new wagon,” said A.J. “We are really co-owners on both cars, but who owns what part I have no idea!”
The first wagon, a 1980 model, has been in the family since 2004. “We built that car from scratch,” said A.J. “My dad, mom and I all worked on it. My mom passed away several years ago, so I don’t want to change or ruin that car because of the family sentimental history.”
The wagon was a solid piece on this year’s Sick Summer, and combined with enjoying their first drag-and-drive, it inspired a discussion between A.J. and Steven. “We were hooked on this,” said A.J. “In the middle of Sick Summer, we were already talking about wanting to go faster.”
That lead the Lloyds to this car, a rust-free grudge car with racing history from Great Lakes Dragaway. “It’s a solid piece,” said A.J. “Starting over with a new car, we can cut this car up and do whatever we want and go fast, without changing anything of the old car.”
There will be some features and cool points that will be carried over from the old wagon to the new one, but the new wagon will incorporate a full roll cage legal to 8.50 elapsed times, with a possible upgrade to a 25.5-spec in the future.
The new build will use ‘stock-type’ suspension with more adjustability than the old one, and the car already has Strange coil-over shocks in the back, and a TRZ Motorsports control arm set-up. The stock frame is also getting some bracing and upgrades to handle the power planned for it.
The car they completed Sick Summer 2024 in is powered by an old school big block Chevrolet engine, but they might take a different route for the new build. “We have a LS3 engine in pieces,” said A.J. “The current plan to go single turbo with a Turbo 400 and Gear Vendors Overdrive. We’ll have to see what the budget dictates.”
The current goal is to participate in the Sick Street Race or 275 Street Race class. “Being able to build another wagon with my dad is priceless,” said A.J. “It’ll be a lot of work, but we’re excited about this new wagon.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, 1320 Video and Steven / A.J. Lloyd.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com