This ’55 Chevy Took a Father and Son on Their First Drag-and-Drive Experience at Sick Week 2023
1955 not only marks the year for this classic Chevrolet 4-door, but it was also the first year of the Chevrolet small block V8 powerplant.
Oddly enough, Adam Jackson’s classic tri-five doesn’t get its motivation from eight cylinders; it conquered the 2023 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive with just six pistons.
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Bringing a black and grey classic Chevrolet to Sick Week allowed this Canadian father and son to experience their first drag-and-drive together. “I’m not looking to set records; my goals are personal. It’s a father & son trip,” said Adam. “My only goal is to finish the week with my son Austin by my side.”
Running in the Sick Week Freaks category, the ’55 varied a lot in performance during the week, posting a best of 14.50 at 104 mph on day three at South Georgia Motorsports Park, but managed to complete the week even when things looked bleak.
“We cracked the block from cylinder 1 to the water pump,” said Adam about their day four discovery. “Pulled the injector wire, coil wire and loosened the spark plug trying to keep water from entering the cylinder. Drove to Orlando, making all the checkpoints, losing 1 gallon of water every 15 minutes or so.”
After completing the final drive, the ’55 made an easy drive down the track, finishing the week with a 37.30-second pass and averaged the week at 20.80 seconds. “I can’t quit! I don’t know how,” Adam admitted. “It’s been a long emotional week and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”
The ’55 Chevy will get the chance to do it again in 2024, as Adam will participate in the second-annual Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks. Adam is taking aim at the Sick Week Freaks class again, and hopes to hit the 11-second range this time.
To do so, the Chevrolet 250 cubic inch in-line 6 cylinder and single turbocharger will remain, and a Turbo 400 3-speed automatic will also return as part of the package. The engine build features a unique intake manifold (only three exist in the world), and Adam has his running on a Holley Terminator X ECU.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Adam Jackson.
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