It’s Elementary; Starting a New Chapter with a Storied Caprice
Most of us can close our eyes and flashback to car rides as a kid. For Kesler Soucie, this 1995 Chevrolet Caprice known as ‘LTx Orca’ was that car.
“This car has a lot of sentimental value to me because it was our family car that I rode all over in during elementary school,” said Kesler. “It was the first car I went over 100 mph in.”
Eventually, the Caprice blew a transmission and sat for years, until Kesler found the motivation to fix it up with his dad in his later years in high school.
When Kesler started driving the Caprice in high school, it was still in stock form with the 350 cubic inch LT1 small block engine and 4L60E 4-speed overdrive transmission. After a couple years, he decided it needed modifications and more power.
The LT1 got bored .030 over for 355 cubic inches, and the camshaft upgraded. A pair of ported aluminum cylinder heads top the engine, along with a ported factory intake.
Kesler drag raced the Caprice for the first-time last year, and enjoyed it from the first pass. “I was instantly hooked,” Kesler said. “I love the process of finding ways to go a little faster each time I go to the track.”
On his first weekend racing, the Caprice ran a 13.9-second pass. After a little tuning, weight reduction and wider rear tires, Kesler dropped three tenths of-a-second off his time.
For 2023, Kesler upgraded the converter to a ProTorque 3500 rpm stall, and did chassis upgrades include Eibach lowering springs, BMR suspension extended rear control arms, and a fresh rebuild on the front end and steering components.
“I am hoping to significantly improve my 60-foot times to get into the mid to high 12 second quarter mile range,” said Kesler, who plans to employ drag slicks to help in the quest for lower 60-foot times and lower e.t.s.
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After watching drag-and-drive event coverage on YouTube, Kesler decided to enter Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes to compete in his first drag-and-drive, entering the Dial-Your-Own (DYO) class.
“I love the idea of proving that a car is a true street car,” he said. “The camaraderie of driving hundreds of miles together in a big group of hot rods. I look forward to meeting people, and helping out on the roadside when others have needs.”
Kesler won’t tackle his first drag-and-drive event alone, as he plans to bring a couple special people along for the ride.
“I have two co-pilots, my friend Tyler Hermanson, and my sister Keely Soucie,” said Kesler. “Tyler has helped me out a lot with modifying the car; He is mechanically inclined, and will be very helpful if we need to make repairs along the way. Keely is coming to support me and wants to document with lots of pictures and videos. I haven't been on a vacation with my sister for years, so this will be a great adventure for us.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Kesler Soucie.
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