Although S&P's product line makes an easy task of swapping modem engines into vintage Chevy frames, that's not quite all that the Campbells had in mind for this car. They planned on swapping modern everything under a vintage body, so the first step was to get a new frame with a suitable suspension. Progressive Automotive's Bob Sheetrone built a new frame for the '57, and the new underpinnings incorporate a front suspension from a '96 Corvette. The A-arms and spindles are Corvette compo­nents while the steering rack is a '97 Thunderbird part. Air Ride Technologies ShockWaves replace the stock springs and shocks. Progressive Auto sway bars keep the '57 level through the turns, and 13-inch discs from Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation help bring the car to a halt. Boyd Coddington 18x8-inch Magneato wheels were chosen for the front, and they roll on Goodyear 225/45ZR18 tires. The rear suspension, like the front, is based on C4 Corvette pieces. The rearend is an independent Dana 44 and measures 60-1/4 inches from hub to hub. Again, Air Ride ShockWaves take the place of the original Corvette springs and shocks. The Magneato wheels at this end measure 20x8-1/2 inches, and the Goodyears are larger 245/40ZR20 units. Naturally, every component on the frame and suspension that isn't made from rubber is polished, plated or painted to look its best, and the result is a chassis that looks better than the bodies of many top-level cars. Since the frame was now far nicer than the body, the next challenge was to bring the car's exterior up to snuff. Though the '57 was in decent shape, it still needed new floors. The body also was treated to a list of mild modifications. Most of the sheetmetal alterations are hidden inside the wheel wells or under the hood and trunk. The most important thing was to make the car smooth, which meant patching and filling holes, flattening bumps and so on, and the result is a car that appears to have been molded together in a single piece. Tight gaps around doors and fenders reinforce the idea that while the car may look original, this is certainly not the condition in which it left the factory. The paint color selection alone tells you at first glance that this is no restoration. S&P covered the Chevy's lower surfaces in DuPont Midori Sour, and the roof was done in Champagne Fizz. And while the colors look awesome, it's good that the car has enough motor to live up to a name like Champagne Fizz! But we're not going to tell you about the motor just yet. First, let us mention the interior, which thanks to Street Seat in New Port Ritchie, Florida—makes prolink use of Champagne leather. Buttery soft hides cover the front and rear bucket seat; and each pair is separated by a hand-sculpted center console that is itself covered in leather. The same material also covers the heavily stylized door panels, tht headliner and even the floor. The dash­board resembles that of a standard '57 tw is smoother and painted in the same Midori Sour hue as the body. The instrument cluster is painted in the contrasting Champagne Fizz and contains a trio of Dakota Digital gauges to monitor the car vital systems. The Hurst shifter and Boyd Coddington steering wheel, with its cus-torn "Midori Sour" hom button, are fron and center. You don't see the Kenworth stereo system, but the Kicker speakers visible here and there, and Ultimate Audio installed the sound system.
The Vintage Air system is likewise stealthy, and the controls are located in the console just above the DVD screen. And now for the engine, which really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who is familiar with Street & Performance. The Campbells chose a new GM LS2 crate engine to power the '57, and this engine makes a lot of sense in this car. Though the LS2 replaces the LSI, it makes almost as much power as the older, more premium LS6. With an even 400 hp and 400 Ib-ft of torque from only 364 ci, the LS2 offers incredible performance, reliability and bang for the buck. However, the Campbells weren't satisfied, and since they puld coax more power from what. First, they to enable the engine to breathe, and then they added a Comp Cams roller camshaft with 0.605/0.616-inch lift and 228/234 degrees duration. Polished S&P headers add power and make it easy to fit the engine in the frame, and other compo­nents include the S&P pulleys and air filter/MAF assembly. After S&P finished the engine, it made 528 hp, exceeding even LS7 power at a fraction of the price.

Other support components for the engine include a polished Griffin radiator, a Rock Valley stainless steel gas tank and Tube Tech stainless fuel lines. For the transmission, the Campbells picked the popular T56 six-speed manual mated with a McLeod clutch. Six forward gears assure a strong combination of acceleration and fuel mileage, making the '57 doubly invit­ing to drive. Even as this car was under construc-a, it was proving useful to Street & Performance. The company filmed the car's construction for a TV show and a DVD that they hand out to potential cus­tomers to better educate people on exactly what is necessary to install a modem GM EFI engine into a vintage Chevy. After fin­ishing the Chevy and debuting the car at the SEMA Show in 2005, the Campbells also walked away with DuPont's paint award, surely just one of many more such trophies to come. While those trophies will j certainly be welcome, we know that this is not the reason the Campbells built the car. But now that its life as a learning tool for their customers is complete, the couple can 1 finally take some time to enjoy driving the car and personally reap the rewards of the many products they have developed to help us all.
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