An Australian ’69 Supercharged Camaro Looks to Capture Another Top Three Finish from Sick Powerfest and the Sick World Burnout Championship
Some vehicles just mean a little more to their owners, and that love can be hard to put into measurement.
In the case of Steve Metcalf, the level of burnouts he accomplishes in this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro might lead you to think his love isn’t as strong as those that might baby their cars. But the level of attachment to this car is enough to span two countries.
Sick Powerfest Presented by Dodge & M1 Concourse invades Pontiac, Michigan in TWO DAYS - Friday, August 9th, 2024!! Burnout Competitors battle for a $25,000 purse in the WORLD BURNOUT CHAMPIONSHIP - tons of cool rides around M1 Concourse in the Sick Spit Show and Shine - Dodge Thrill Rides - Powerfest Exclusive Dodge Demon 170 Drag Launch Experience rides - Manufacturers Midway and a ton more! Get your tickets - register for the car show and find out more information HERE!
Originally procuring this Chevrolet sixteen years ago in Australia, the Camaro was a solid base model that gave Steve a canvas for his build to come together on. “I built everything there about eleven years ago,” said Steve. “Bit of work doing the minitubs, chassis, a flat firewall, etc. Nothing too extreme though.”
Although the Camaro was a rare sight in Australia, and some might wonder about the finish of Steve’s Camaro, it’s exactly what he wanted.
“Just about all of the Camaros (in Australia) were nice,” Steve said. “Nice paint, perfect interiors, etc. That's why I did mine the way I did, ratty and junky, not having to care about the body getting scratched, but good powertrain.”
With burnout contest competition stepping up with more power for better burnouts, Steve packed plenty under the cowl induction hood of the Camaro. The original 307 cubic inch small block got its walking papers, and a meaty 460 cubic inches of big block took its place.
With a pair of proven Air Flow Research cylinder heads, single plane intake and carburetor atop the big block, Steve decided it needed a little extra. That came in the form of a Vortech V7 supercharger. A 2-speed Powerglide, and full floating 9-inch rear end transfers the power to the classic Center Line Convo Pro wheels on the streets, or a pair of steel Rally wheels on the burnout pad.
Steve also has a ’56 Chevy truck in the garage he’s been enjoying lately, so the Camaro has been enjoying a break from burnout abuse. “To be honest, I haven't even started it since last year,” said Steve. “I'll do the lash, oil change, etc. though, and she'll be right.”
Enjoying a car that can he drive to Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse for the Sick World Burnout Championship battlefield, pull off a solid burnout and then wheel itself home, Steve knows there is solid competition waiting.
“I think there's a lot of tough competition from the other Aussies that are pros,” Steve said. “Locally, the guys with the dedicated cars are definitely good competitors. I'm just in it for the fun to be honest.”
Steve grabbed the second-place accolades at the 2023 Sick Powerfest; how will he fare this year?
Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse brings a high-octane horsepower party to Pontiac, Michigan on Friday, August 9 2024.
* The Sick World Burnout Championship featuring Australian burnout stars Luxifer, Lynchy and more going against USA’s best for over $25,000 in prize money!
* Dodge Grudge Match reveals and burnouts.
* Dodge Demon 170 Drag Launch Experience (Powerfest Exclusive) — for the first time ever, you can feel the 1000+ horsepower of America’s quickest production car on the straightaway of M1 Concourse.
* Dodge Drift Experience featuring Dodge Charger Hellcats. You’ll be in the passenger seat for this twisting, sliding, smoking ride!
* Dodge Hornet Offroad Experience — feel the sting of the Hornet on the dirt at M1 Concourse!
* Dodge Simulators — go head-to-head with your friends.
* Tony Stewart Racing’s Dodge Nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster nitro fire-ups!
* Sick Spit Show-n-Shine featuring Michigan’s best street cars including Tom Bailey’s Sick Seconds Camaro.
* DJ Bryon Rompa spinning beats.
* Food trucks including Sick Pizza.
* Sponsor and vendor displays with exclusive Powerfest deals.
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? Information and tickets on Sick Powerfest are available here: https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-powerfest
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Steve Metcalf.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com