After a Year of Struggles, Alex Taylor is Ready for Consistent 6-Second Passes From Her ’55 Chevrolet in 2023
After racing her 1968 Camaro in several drag-and-drive events, Alex Taylor refined the first-generation F-body into a consistent 8-second ride. But Alex made it known that she wanted to step up to the next level, and in 2021, the Taylor family debuted a 1955 Chevrolet 210 2 door sedan.
Alex, along with her dad Dennis, put the classic Chevrolet together with the engine and transmission out of Dennis’ Retro Nova. And despite limited testing and working out new car bugs, Alex found success by running in the 7-second range and placing well on both Hot Rod Power Tour and Rocky Mountain Race Week in 2021, winning on Rocky Mountain Race Week 2.0.
Alex was hoping to continue her refinement of the ’55 Chevy in 2022, including quicker times and possible additional event victories, but was instead met with struggles. “Last year we were fighting some issues, both in the tuning and in the transmission,” said Alex.
This included the 2022 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, where Alex opened the week with a 7.31 but was out of competition by day four. By fall of 2022, the Taylors had turned the corner. “During Hot Rod Drag Week, we were able to figure out the transmission issues, and that part of our issues is solved,” said Alex.
That brings Alex and Dennis into 2023 with renewed determination, and they want to start strong at Sick Week. “Because it is the first event of the year, it might be hard,” Alex said. “However we have tested more, and I’d like to say we should be able to run six-second passes over 200 mph at Sick Week.”
Alex will continue to rely on the same 509 cubic inch big block, which is based on a Dart block and features a pair of 18-degree Air Flow Research cylinder heads and twin Precision 88-millimeter turbochargers, backed with a Turbo 400 transmission.
Since Alex is spread thin between hosting Hot Rod Garage, as well as moving into a new shop for Alex Taylor Racing, she wasn’t able to get her own combination done last year.
“I’m currently gathering parts and have stuff on order for the new engine and transmission,” said Alex, noting her new driveline will be very similar to Dennis Taylor’s. “I hope to have it done and ready by mid-year 2023.”
- Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Motion Raceworks.