Amazing Americans! These Reader Submissions Aren't Your Everyday Hot Rods

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Pictured, above: David Jones of Boseman, Montana, bought this 390/T-10/4.11:1 posi Javelin in May of 1970 from the Highland Motor Company in Butte, Montana. He specified the functional ram-air hood, roof spoiler, leather interior, heavy-duty suspension, and more. Currently, a mild Crane cam, headers, and Harland Sharp roller rockers add extra grunt, while slick alloys lend a modern touch.

Jeff Silsbe of Phoenix, Arizona, sent us some shots of his '57 Nash Metropolitan. It features a 0.040-over 327 Chevy motor and Turbo 350. A 2,200-stall converter gets the torque to a narrowed 9-inch Ford rear axle. It also sports a Mustang II IFS, Porsche 914 buckets, '70 Monte Carlo side mirrors, '96 Caddy pearl-white paint, and Mercedes cloth with MGA bows for the folding roof. The rollbar, firewall, tranny tunnel, and tons more were built by Jeff himself.

Come with us back some 34 years ago, when fastbacks were all the rage. AMC actually helped fuel the short-lived styling trend with the Marlin, a fine example of which has been preserved by Ike Morra of Farmingdale, New York. The 270-horse AMC 327 spins 3.15:1 gears and Pacer X rims. Factory disc brakes are part of the package, as well. Nothin' fishy going on here, kids.

The contents of this black box reveal something strange … a 455 Olds and Turbo 400 tranny in a '67 Rambler! Blame Jason Graber of Greeley, Colorado, for this kooky combo. The 100,000-mile big-block has a Comp Cams 280 bumpstick, Holley 800 double-pumper, and home-ported cylinder heads. Javelin rear springs and a 3.50:1 rear keep things spritely; Olds seats and console fill in the gut.

This story was originally published in the February 1999 issue of HOT ROD. MOTORTREND and HOT ROD's rich magazine history and legacy dating back to 1948 is something highly valued by its longtime readers, and that's why we've invested deeply to make the content available to you in a modern and accessible format. In the interest of transparency, these magazine articles are presented as originally published, without modification, and may contain content that does not reflect the company's contemporary values and standards.