From The Junkyard to A Tractor Stop, This Chrysler Gets a Second Chance on the Burnout Pad Thanks to Family History and Fan Support
Our childhood experiences can shape our choices going into adult life, and sometimes even lead us down a path we might not have seen coming.
For Chris Mills, the man behind Busted Radial Garage, it would shape his car of choice for burnout action in 2024.
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One year ago, at Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse, we saw Chris in a clean, black 1968 Plymouth Road Runner.
He also had built a 1976 Chrysler Cordoba, but the Road Runner saw a little more action than the Cordoba named ‘Homer’ did.
Then a strange thing happened: Chris started listening to what the fans were saying, and the feedback may surprise some of you. “To be completely honest, surprisingly, ‘Homer’ is more popular with the fans,” said Chris. “He is what they wanted at the events.”
So, after getting limited use in 2023, including a ‘Cleetus and Cars’ event and some local stuff, Chris decided to make some big changes and focus more on ‘Homer.’ “My father was into vintage Mopars,” Chris said. “I wanted to run something that I knew he would enjoy, and have something on the pad that his generation could relate to and enjoy.”
So, this Cordoba, a car advertised as a full-size luxury vehicle that Chris spent a year building up after hauling it out of a junkyard in 2022, got a new chapter. Previously powered by a naturally-aspirated small block Mopar, Chris checked the right boxes for more power and a bigger visual impact.
A 360-cubic inch based short block has swelled to 408 total inches of displacement, packing all forged internals to survive the abuse of the burnouts.
A BDS blower assembly, topped with a pair of AED-tweaked Holley carburetors and a ‘bird-catcher’ scoop, provides the focal point, along with the ‘Homer’ name on the doors.
A build 727 transmission and 9-1/4-inch rear end handle the abuse and send the power to the tires to destroy them into shards of rubber and beautiful clouds of magic.
“We’re excited about returning to Sick Powerfest,” said Chris, who finished third in last year’s burnout competition. “We’re coming for that top prize.”
The third annual Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse is a huge 1-day event coming to Pontiac, Michigan on Friday, August 9th, 2024!
Sick Powerfest will redefine burnout contests with the $25,000 World Burnout Championship! Dozens of entries are gearing up, including several Aussies in the mix! It will be the ultimate smoke show!We’ll also have the Sick Spit Show & Shine car show, the Manufacturer’s Midway, and the all-new Dodge Thrill Rides as part of their display! It’s a full day of fun you won’t want to miss!
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? All the information on Summit Sick Powerfest is available here: https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-powerfest
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Busted Radial Garage.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com