Big Changes Slated for This ’67 Chevy II for a 2023 Drag Week Appearance
This 1967 Chevy II Nova represents a lot. A lot of memories; a lot of work. And for owner David Armentrout, a lot of changes have been underway with this Chevy II that he hopes will lead him to a completed drag-and-drive event in 2023.
“A Nova is the first car I remember my dad having,” said David. So eventually he went looking for a Chevy II of his own.
The one pictured here was purchased in 2010, but it was in much different shape. “I bought the car in 2010,” David admitted. “It had been sitting outside for about 20 years and was in terrible shape. The only things original to the car are the A pillars and the roof inner structure.”
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After a complete overhaul which included a 25.2-spec SFI chassis built by Joe Schott of Schott Racecraft, David dropped in a LS-based 427 cubic inch engine with twin Precision 88-millimeter turbos, and backed it with an ATI Turbo 400 3-speed automatic and a Pro Torque converter.
David embarked on his first Hot Rod Drag Week in 2018, entering the Ultimate Iron class. Problems on the first day landed him a 20-second e.t., but he stayed in the competition. Day two found the Chevy II back to a full pass with a 7.84 time slip and able to move on to day three. David slowed a bit to an 8.06 on that third day, but was able to dip back into the 7-second range with another 7.84 on day four. But he was sidelined with problems before he could stage for a pass on day five, falling just short of completing his first drag-and-drive event.
The Chevy II would make appearances on Hot Rod Drag Week in 2021 and 2022, as well as Sick Week in 2022. But unfortunately for David, each time was met with disappointment. “My drag-and-drive experience is trouble completing the week,” he said. “I’ve met the best people competing at these events. We've just ran into engine issues each time.”
To change things up, David will be installing a 540 cubic inch big block Chevrolet from PAR Engines. “With the switch to the big block, it caused us to move the motor back about 5 inches in order to fit everything,” David said. “And in the never-ending search for weight savings, we did a titanium firewall.” “We also updated to carbon doors, trunk and fenders due to the new rules allowing more composite body panels.”
David plans to have the updates done to bring the Chevy II to Hot Rod Drag Week this year, in either Unlimited Iron or the Unlimited class. “Goals for 2023 are to finish,” he said. Then 6-seconds and 200 mph.” But no matter what, David doesn’t plan to change from enjoying the classic Chevy on drag-and-drives and other street uses. “Drag=and-drive appeals to me because I don't need to put the car in a trailer and take it to a track to enjoy it,” David said. “I drive my son to school in it, and my wife Melissa loves to take it out to dinner.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and David Armentrout.