Generally, when a member asks a question regarding reference pertaining to a particular car, they don’t have long to wait before they have what they seek. In the case of Tom Sturm’s Just 4 Chevy Lovers, Flyin’ Phil and Plum came to the rescue with the following text and photos. Even if you aren’t building a specific replica, Flyin’ provides some excellent general insight into FX and AWB cars that may provide ideas for your own builds.
This car may be among the greatest stories in match race stockers. First, Tom Sturm bought it from a new car showroom -- a 283 Powerglide. It was raced with a real 409, I believe built by Tom Jacobsen. Then, the Z-11 parts were added, then a stroker went in -- about 450ci. It was THRASHED that way with a number of different induction systems.
Sturm then tried to buy a 396 but was unable to, so bought a brand new 65 Impala and removed the engine for the Chevelle. It raced for a time with Man-A-Fre and carbs on gas and ran pretty well. The Impala received a 409, changed flags and was sold (wouldn't you like to have that warranty
nightmare on your hands?). It received one of the very first sets of bb Chevy Hilborns -- maybe THE first. It was switched to 65 nose and received a T-400 about the same time.
Then it continued to get lighter and lighter --the evolvement is rather fascinating when looking at photos. It ran at about 2400 pounds most of the way thru 66 and had ALL the bookings Sturm and
whoever was driving (a long list) could stand. Then, when the season was completed, they stripped the body off and the Chevelle chassis became a Corvair with a body from Fiberglass Trends (see bottom photo). It was kinda redish-purply color. They got this sucker down to about 1900 pounds and it ran deep eights. I'm not sure but I think they actually stuck a blower on this car at one point before being replaced...Flyin'
Bob Plumer provided us with the shot below left, depicting a version Phil had never seen until now. Note the radical setback on the engine and the farther rearward driver location. Also note that the windshield and hood are missing. Flyin’ explains the reasons behind some of these changes below. Thanks to Plum for use of his photos.
When these guys were faced with the dominating Comets, they tried everything to gain. The idea here was to cut frontal area to a minimum. You'll notice many cars like Sturm's had sheet metal mostly over the whole interior -- flat -- almost like a tonneau cover. They were trying to move the air right thru the car...Flyin'
The one thing I have never figured out is why no hood? Wouldn't running without a hood cause a lot more drag?...Jay Mahnken
     A great deal was theorized about aerodynamics but nobody running an A/FX knew much. Some cars built so much air underneath it either blew the hood off or lifted the front wheels from 1000 feet on. Scary, and many crashes occurred from it, clear into late 1967. So, removing the hood killed
that pressure. The original SWC Mustang was a great example of this phenomenon. First, it was FAST. Racers, not exhibition folk, ran it. Doug Cook had a reputation to uphold. Exhibition Engineering built a great car for SWC--low, long and sleek. It sat fairly level. It prob'ly needed to have more tail spoiler or sit a little higher in the rear to decrease the "angle of attack." Instead, it built up serious underhood pressure, became light, and eventually just took off. In the following cars Exhibition built --Ronda's, Goodell's, etc., they built a tunnel that brought air through the grille and vented it just in front of the windshield. It worked extremely well and other car builders followed suit...Flyin'