This year, a Chevrolet went home with the top award at the 2018 Detroit Autorama: the Don Ridler Memorial Award. It was none other than a 1957 Chevrolet 150, called “Imagine,” with an enormous amount of custom work and fabrication.
Hot Rod reported on the award-winning Chevy this Sunday, and judges were thoroughly impressed with the car’s new take on the classic vehicle. Many shops and individuals undertake ’57 Chevys, but not many are as well-executed as this one.
Owners Greg & Judy Hrehovcsik worked with Johnny’s Auto Trim & Rod Shop in Alamosa, Colorado, to bring the vehicle to life. The body modifications are the most striking part of the Chevrolet. The shop chopped the roof, it sunk the windshield and laid it back for a streamlined look and the entire body is channeled three inches.
Through it all, the work keeps every bit of what makes the 1957 Chevrolet an iconic design among vintage cars, but gives a fresh look.
Inside, the 21st century-inspired interior sports custom bucket seats and a new custom console. New single-insert gauges and steering wheel top off the look.
Power is aplenty, too. The Chevy boasts a Nelson Racing 515 cubic inch twin-turbo Chevy big-block engine with 1,000 horsepower on pump gas. Race fuel sees power ratings climb to 1,800 hp.
It’s a marvelous-looking machine and well deserving of the award.
Comments
I appreciate the level of craftsmanship and customization in this build, however, I just can’t get on board with any Tri-5 that has no side trim. They are too slab sided for that in my opinion. It just looks incomplete to my eye.
Is it really a ’57 Chevy anymore?
What is left of the original car?
Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool as hell.
But to me, it’s a custom with some ’57 Chevy styling cues.