Every race car, truck, and boat has a story, whether it was headed to the junkyard before finding new life or Frankenstein-ed together with different parts from different marques.

Each one has a special place in its owner’s heart, too, as evidenced by the time, care, and resources typically bestowed on these vehicles. In keeping with PRI’s tradition of showcasing extraordinary machines, our editors have chosen 21 (for 2021, get it?) vehicles to feature in this year’s PRI Trade Show Guide. None would have been possible without the dedication, craftsmanship, and just plain intelligence that goes into the design and manufacture of not only the cars (and one boat), but the engines and parts that propel them. Enjoy our selections…and keep an eye out, as you may see some of these vehicles on display at the PRI Show in December.

2013 Ford Mustang

Tyler Hassing
Allegan, Michigan

Race Series/Class: NMRA True Street, Open Comp, Bracket

Engine: Ford Coyote stock engine tuned by Tyler Hassing of Force Engineering

Car: Built by Tyler Hassing of Force Engineering

Features: FIS 80-mm turbo; Fore Innovations fuel system; Haltech Elite 2500 ECU; PTC converter; Rossler TH400; M&M shifter; Weld RTS wheels; Mickey Thompson 275 radials; Baer brakes

Facts: Currently the fastest stock Gen 1 Coyote engine in the world (8.59 @155 mph). The hand-built 180-degree header gives the car a unique sound. Makes upwards of 1,300 hp on the stock engine.

2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro

Rob Holzheimer
Naperville, Illinois

Race Series/Class: COPO, LS-Series, NMCA Super Stock

Engine: 427 LSX built by Chevrolet Performance

Car: Built at COPO Build Center in Oxford, Michigan

Features: Bogart wheels; carbon fiber cowl hood; Meziere electric water pump; Hoosier tires; Strange Engineering rearend; Strange Engineering brakes

Facts: Holzheimer fell in love with COPO Camaros when he worked for Chevrolet Performance in 2014 and made it his goal to own one.

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II NASCAR version

Michael Callahan
Cincinnati, Ohio

Race Series/Class: SCTA C/CPRO class

Engine: 1970 Ford 351 Cleveland

Car: Fabricated by Cornfield Customs

Features: Ultrashield seat; Powermaster starter and alternator; Edelbrock intake and water pump; Holley carburetor; Hooker headers; QuickTime bellhousing; McLeod clutch; Ford Racing flywheel; QA1 shocks; RJS belts

Facts: It’s built to pass Bonneville tech with all safety equipment, but there is also a street mode. The Mercury is a Bonneville-legal race car that is also driven to the Woodward Dream Cruise and on the Hot Rod Power Tour.

2014 Rayburn Late Model

Dane Laster
Greenwood, Indiana

Driver: Brayton Laster

Race Series/Class: Super Late Model in Lucas Oil Late Model Series, MARS Racing Series, Ultimate Heart of America Racing Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals

Engine: Chevrolet-based engine built by KGB Racing Engines

Car: Built by Kyle Downey

Features: Genesis racing shocks; Holley carburetor; MSD ignition; Brodix heads; Outerwears pre-filters

Facts: This car is a throwback theme to Brayton’s grandfather, Dave Davis, who raced at Macon Speedway in the 1960s with a gold-painted 1948 Plymouth coupe.

1965 Ford Falcon

Randy Dunlap
Linden, Michigan

Race Series/Class: Retired match race car

Engine: 496 big block Chevrolet

Car: Built by Bobby Lagana Sr. in 1965, restored by Randy Dunlap and friends

Features: Enderle injection; Muncie 4-speed transmission; 9-inch Ford rearend

Facts: Named Chevamoco by Bobby Lagana Sr. because it’s a Ford Falcon with Chevy power. It makes about 500 hp.

1993 FORD Mustang

Drew Acklin
Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Race Series/Class: Small Tire Radial/Grudge

Engine: Big block Chevrolet built by Drew Acklin, Butler Performance

Car: Built by Drew Acklin, David Key Speed & Suspension, Greg Blades G&S Custom Fabrication

Features: Nitrous Express; Gary Williams Carburetors; Quick Performance; King Bearings; Williams Racing Fuel; Total Seal; NGK; Viking Performance

Facts: The car’s name is Alabama Hammer and was seen on MotorTrend TV’s “Fastest Cars in the Dirty South.” Acklin, of AKA Racing, purchased the car as a shell and built it from the ground up.

1973 Jeep Postal Delivery

Jordan Fisher
Parsonsburg, Maryland

Race Series/Class: Carolina No Time 275, No Time Grudge Racing

Engine: 632-ci big block Chevrolet built by Fisher Motorsports

Car: Built by Fisher Motorsports Features: Powerglide transmission built by Jay and Alex Bradford (Bad Habit Racing Trans); chromoly driveshaft built by The Metal Shop; AutoMeter gauges; Wilwood disc brakes; Nitrous Outlet nitrous system; Diamond pistons; Jesel belt drive; GRP aluminum connecting rods; Callies crankshaft

Facts: This car was built because Fisher wanted something unique and different that’s not seen at the drag strip. Fisher is proud of building a Jeep and running good ETs for a short wheelbase, non-aerodynamic vehicle. 

Facebook: @fishermotorsports79

Instagram: @fisher_motorsports.

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

Chris Diehlman
Ocala, Florida

Race Series/Class: Florida N/T Racing, Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings

Engine: Stock block 5.3 LS built by Speedline Performance

Car: Finished by Pro Fab Performance Plus, including wiring, plumbing, etc.

Features: M&M shifter; Holley Dominator and Pro Dash; Strange Engineering brakes; RC Components wheels; BorgWarner turbos; XS Power battery; FTI Powerglide

Facts: When Diehlman was young, his father owned the car and later sold it. Later in life, after his dad passed, Diehlman found it, bought it back and had everything rebuilt.

2013 Hoffman chassis, dirt modified

Eric & Jerry Moore
Nevada, Missouri

Driver: Hunter Lagunes

Race Series/Class: USRA Midwest Modifieds

Engine: 358-ci small block Chevrolet built by Steve Brumback of Brumback Motorsports

Features: Aero Race wheels; AFCO shocks; Wehrs spring slider; ButlerBuilt race seat; Strange Engineering axles; Edelbrock manifold; Speedway Motors radiator; American Racer tires; Hypercoil springs

Facts: The driver is 13 years old, and in his first year of racing anything.

1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Capri Wesley
Milton, Florida

Race Series/Class: 5.70 index, 5.80 index, 6.0 index, 6.50 index, Small Block N/T

Engine: 406 conventional small block Chevy built by Johnny Kelley

Car: Built by Gary Medders

Features: Nitrous Express Crossplate system; Menscer Motorsports double adjustable struts and shocks; Strange Engineering rearend/axle assembly; Weld Alumastar 17-inch wheels; Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket radials; Speedwire Systems switch/panel system

Facts: This vehicle is female raced and maintained.

2011 Joker Powerboat 26

Peter Smith
Riverton, New Jersey

Race Series/Class: Offshore Powerboat Association Class 6

Engine: 540-ci Chevrolet built by Bud Wilson

Boat: Built by Smith Brothers Offshore Racing Team

Features: Jones Racing Products; Optima Batteries; Holley EFI; Marren Fuel Injection; E3 Spark Plugs

Facts: In 2017, the boat spent nine days on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in 40 feet of water after it was involved in an accident (not caused by Smith).

1969 CHEVROLET Camaro

Phil Veldheer
Holland, Michigan

Race Series/Class: IHRA, GLSSA, NMCA

Engine: Legal IHRA crate motor built by Parsons and Myers Race Engines

Car: Built by Phil Veldheer

Features: Mickey Thompson tires; VP C12 race fuel and 10w40 full synthetic race oil; ARP fasteners; NGK spark plugs; Moroso plug wires; PROFORM Parts water pump and fan; Cometic gaskets; Hedman Hedders headers; Optima battery; Fragola hoses and fittings; K&N oil and air filters

Facts: Veldheer set six IHRA speed and ET records in this car, and Mark Howard has won six assorted IHRA and NMCA big races with it.

1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

James Jeschke Jr.
Baden, Pennsylvania

Race Series/Class: NHRA Stock 1603 I/S

Engine: Chevy 305 built by James Jeschke Jr. and dyno’d by Dumoff Engines

Car: Built by James Jeschke Jr.

Features: Stahl headers; Total Seal; G-Force; Dart block; CP-Carrillo pistons; Mickey Thompson

Facts: The Camaro was on its way to the scrap yard, but Jeschke built the engine, fabricated and painted the car, and in 2021 won his first Wally.

1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Chris Schultetus
Wyoming, Michigan

Driver: Greg Seher Race Series/Class: Limited drag radial

Engine: 632-ci big block Chevrolet built by Seher Schultetus Racing

Car: Built by Go Fast Productions

Features: Speedtech nitrous; Trend Performance pushrods; T&D rockers; PAC springs and retainers; Dart heads and block; Callies performance crankshaft; COMP Cams belt drive; MSD ignition and belt drive distributor; Wiseco pistons; Mickey Thompson tires; Racepak data acquisition; Strange Engineering brakes and axles

Facts: The car was originally built to run a small block and be bracket raced on the weekends. Now it has turned into a four-second 1/8-mile limited drag radial ride.

1964 Chevrolet II Nova Wagon

Jimmy Mott
Cookeville, Tennessee

Race Series/Class: Bracket racing, Box class

Engine: 582-ci big block Chevrolet built by PAR Racing Engines

Car: Built by Gary Jennings Race Cars

Features: Ruperts Alky Carbs carburetor; Goodyear tires; Greg Slack Converters; K&R Performance delay box; Mark Williams Enterprises brakes; Strange Engineering components; Weld wheels; XS Power battery

Facts: Found in a junkyard, this car started out as a street car project but quickly became a full-blown race car. Car builder Gary Jennings said this car is mastering the “patina look.”

1981 Monte Carlo

Cheryl Garrison
Pontotoc, Mississippi

Race Series/Class: Crate Racin’ USA Street Stock

Engine: GM-based 602 built by R&C Performance

Car: Built by High Roller; Billy’s Race Shop

Features: Motor State Distributing; Speedway Motors; Hypercoil; Braswell carburetor; Day Motorsports; Allstar Performance; GM Performance; Renegade Fuel; Hoosier Racing tires

Facts: This car has the factory frame and is still competing and winning races against jig-built cars. It was also a finalist for “Best Looking Street Stock” at the Southern Street Stock Nationals.

2009 Cadillac CTSV

Felicia Smith
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Race Series/Class: True Street, 1/8-mile No Prep, Rocky Mountain Race Week 9.0 class

Engine: 427 Iron Dart block with a stock 1.9 Cadillac supercharger built by Kyle Thompson of Thompson Motorsports

Car: Built by Felicia Smith and Aaron Smith

Features: Nitrous Express Max 5; Circle D Specialties converter; Circle D Transmission 6L90 kit; Frankenstein Engine Dynamics F310 series heads; Radium fuel system; Red Horse Performance fittings and hose; Dynamic Driveline driveshaft; Rick Crawford Racing porting and tuning; Cam Motion custom grind camshaft

Facts: This car is one of four in the world to run eight seconds in a 1/4 mile with a Cadillac LSA blower. It’s completely street legal with every amenity still intact from the dealership. Known as the 4-Door Rocket, this car weighs 4,500 lbs.

2017 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

John & Michele Poole
Lexington, North Carolina

Race Series/Class: ET Street, Mild or Wild, Season 4 No Prep Kings Future Outlaws, Season 4 No Prep Kings Big Tire Outlaws

Engine: S550 built by John Poole

Car: Built by Gary Pundsack and John Poole

Features: Edelbrock supercharger; Steeda suspension; JMS wheels; Exedy clutch; Mickey Thompson tires; Mishimoto radiator; Hurst shifter

Facts: This car’s name is Roxie, and she is one of North America’s fastest sealed block Mustangs. She makes 1,000 hp and runs 150+ mph with an ET of 9.36 in the 1/4 mile.

1965 Ford Mustang

Gregory Meindl
Lime Rock, Connecticut

Race Series/Class: SVRA Group 6/AS

Engine: Ford 302 Dart built by Frankie “Ford” Pantaleone

Car: Built by Karl Bergmann/Gary Young (1965), Bob Aliberto/Chris Liebenberg (1992)

Features: Edelbrock; Dart; Oliver Racing Parts; Jesel; AutoMeter; Classic Tube; Hoosier; Cobra Automotive; ATL; Centerforce

Facts: This car was purchased by Al Maroone Ford to be a race car beginning with road rallies before eventually being fully converted to race A Sedan/TA in SCCA. In 1970, the worn-out race car was purchased by Bob Aliberto, who restored it in 1992 and raced it until the current owner purchased it in 1998, racing it ever since.

1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

Matt Fenwrick & Dann Fenwrick
Livermore, Kentucky

Race Series/Class: Land Speed Racing, Classic Production class

Engine: Ford 2.3L Pinto based built by Matt Fenwrick of Fenwrick Motorsports

Car: Built by Matt and Dann Fenwrick of Fenwrick Motorsports

Features: Jesel valvetrain; Stef’s oil tank; ARP fasteners; Holley Dominator ECU and fuel cell EFI pump; MPI custom steering wheel; Performance Plus oil; Speedway Engineering Mod Lite Floater rearend; Dyer’s connecting rods

Facts: Fenwrick decided to build a Pinto because “despite looking like a brick, its aerodynamics are similar to a Corvette of that era.” All of the 3D printing, machining, and painting was done by Fenwrick and his father in their two-car shop.

2014 Shaw Race Cars Dirt Modified

Roger Mealey
Braselton, Georgia

Race Series/Class: Dirt Open Wheel Modified

Engine: 602 GM crate motor built by GM

Car: Built by Shaw Race Cars

Features: SPA Technique; Champion Racing Oil products; RaceQuip products; Performance Distributors; Day Motorsports; E3 Spark Plugs; Kluhsman Racing Components; Fast Shafts carbon fiber driveshaft

Facts: Mealey has been diagnosed with AFib and put on blood thinners, so unfortunately his racing career has come to an end, but he considers himself very fortunate to have been able to race for many years.