Wangers Edition '69 GTO Buildup - Carousel Rad

Here Jim is working the driver's side hoodscoop. Once done, the entire hood will be reproduced in carbon fiber or fiberglass.

The three-piece rear spoiler was also designed in steel for the prototype. Of the rear bumper design, Phil says, "We changed the cutouts a bit from the rendering because the tailpipes were coming through where the gas tank was. We also had to extend the bottom of the bumper to cover the frame and the gas tank. Otherwise it's very close to the rendering."

Once the metalwork is completed, the spoiler, like the other parts, is bodyworked, as shown here by Jon, to get it perfectly straight.

Just to show how dramatic the transformation is, here is the stock chassis and drivetrain and here is the new one. With the boxed rails and all those triangulated crossmembers, you can see why the new chassis is much more rigid.

Just to show how dramatic the transformation is, here is the stock chassis and drivetrain...

...and here is the new one. With the boxed rails and all those triangulated crossmembers, you can see why the new chassis is much more rigid.

You can see that the interior is coming along. The console is also formed from steel like the dash, but will be carbon fiber for the prototypes and production cars.

The design features are highlighted with a leather-wrapped interior. The Roadster Shop made changes to the dash and console in Ben Hermance's original rendering. "Like Ben, we wanted a design that fit the character of the car-a slightly modern version of a classic musclecar dash-not too modern, but not plastic like the originals," Phil explains. "We also wanted the stereo and AC vents to look like they grew there."

With 680 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, the Butler-built 505ci EFI engine doesn't have to make apologies to anyone. It idles smoothly, drives well, sounds mean, and makes tons of power. Full specs can be found in the chart. The smooth, clean look of the engine compartment delivers a sophisticated and finished appearance. Now painted, you can see the nice integration of the radiator cover, sheetmetal firewall, and fender fillers. Trick-looking Fesler-built Chevelle hood hinges were modified by the Roadster Shop to work on the GTO. They add a high-tech look, as does Billet Specialties' air cleaner (with a K&N filter).

Here's the stock chassis as delivered.

And here is the finished chassis just after HPP's track testing. Stock it's not. The business side of the Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO reveals why it drives and handles so well. The Roadster Shop chassis drew raves from HPP testers on the road course and skid pad with a modern, taut feel; cornering grip that can embarrass a late-model Vette; and very precise steering.

The modernized, oversized interpretation of Pontiac's Rally II wheels were designed by Ben and custom-made by HRE Performance Wheels. These forged aluminum three-piece wheels, based on HRE's 740 series, measure 19x10 up front and 20x12 in the rear.