Norm Grabowski’s and Tommy Ivo’s Cars
Larry Roberts, who worked with Ed Roth in the 1970s, talks about cars designed and built by Norm Grabowski and Tommy Ivo. Also, he talks about the Disney Connection.
460
March, 2020
Larry Roberts, who worked with Ed Roth in the 1970s, talks about cars designed and built by Norm Grabowski and Tommy Ivo. Also, he talks about the Disney Connection.
Engine: Nailhead Engine
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Wheels: Low-profile 265/50 R19 Pirelli rear tires on 19×11-inch wheels
Paint: Green
Interior: Hardback bucket seats with custom pearlized leather, NOS seat material, hand-crafted hardback rear bucket seats
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Engine: Borla 8-stack fuel injection feeds the Coyote engine
Transmission: AOD transmission
Chassis: Modified Art Morrison chassis, with air suspension components
Wheels: 20×10 and 22×10 one-off 10-spoke wheels
Paint: Candy Root Beer paint finished off with some wild graphics
Interior: Custom interior, using TEA’s design buckets, steering wheel from Sparc Industries, and gauges from New Vintage USA Woodward
| 1953 Cadillac | $240,000 |
| 1959 Impala Convertible | $200,000 |
| 12022 Acura NSX Type S | $199,000 |
| 1970 Hemi Cuda | $186,000 |
| 2001 BMW Z8 | $174,000 |
| 2023 Challenger | 170,000 |
| 1967 Corvette | $170,000 |
| 1967 Corvette | $165,000 |
| 1968 Shelby GT500 | $150,000 |
| 1971 Cuda Convertible | $150,000 |
| 1957 Corvette Fuelie | $145,000 |
| 1970 Superbird | $145,000 |
| 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible Tribute | $137,500 |
| 1960 Impala Convertible | $135,000 |
| 1967 Corvette 427 | $132,500 |
| 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible | $130,000 |
| 1970 Boss 302 | $127,000 |
| 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL | $125,000 |
| 1970 Olds 442 W30 | $125,000 |
| 1958 Corvette | $120,000 |
| 1957 Ford Fairlane F Code | $120,000 |
| 2023 Corvette Convertible 3LT | $117,500 |
| 1987 GNX | $116,000 |
| 1958 Bonneville Convertible | $110,000 |
| 1970 Challenger 440 Convertible | $107,000 |
| 1969 Camaro Z28 | $105,000 |
| 1969 Camaro Restomod | $102,500 |
| 1964 Corvette | $102,500 |
Engine: 1957 Chevy 283
Transmission: 1948 Ford (reversed setup)
Chassis: Original frame with dropped front axle, 1940 rear axle
Wheels: Mercury 15” wheels
Paint: 1957 Plymouth Coral Green (Sean Sena)
Interior: 1950’s Volvo seats (Ron Mangus)
Engine: Borowski Race Engine with 76 MM Bullseye turbo
Transmission: Hughes Performance 4L80e custom automatic
Chassis: Scott’s Hot Rods and Customs
Wheels: Raceline Billet Bandits
Paint: Dupont Garaj Mahal Green
Interior: Pro Auto Interiors
Engine: GM Performance LS3
Transmission: Tremec 6-Speed
Chassis: 2012 Corvette Grand Sport modified chassis
Wheels: Raceline Billet Bandits
Paint: Ford Magma Red (modified)
Interior: Vos Upholstery
Engine: GM Performance LS376/525
Transmission: GM Performance 4L70 6-Speed Automatic
Chassis: Heidt’s IFS and IRS
Wheels: Raceline Billet Bandits
Paint: PPG Olive Drab
Interior: Pro Auto Custom Interiors
Engine: 510 cubic-inch tall-deck LS built by Todd Goodwin
Transmission: Bowler Performance 4L80E automatic transmission
Chassis: Roadster Shop with independent cantilever suspension front and rear
Wheels: HRE centerlocks designed for a Porsche 911
Paint: Mythic Battle Green
Interior: Upholstery Unlimited and Gemini Technology Systems
Engine: Race engineered ‘49-vintage Cadillac 331c.i. V8 with Stromberg 97 carburetors
Transmission: Tremic 5-Speed
Chassis: Hand crafted chassis with unique Henry Miller Indy style suspension
Wheels: custom British hubs by Wheelsmith
Paint: Dark Metalic Brown by Mick’s Paint
Interior: Elegance Auto Interiors
Engine: Shafiroff 509ci W-style big-block with twin turbos
Transmission: 6L80 six-speed
Chassis: Hand crafted chassis
Wheels: Custom Billet Specialties
Paint: PPG Candy “Wineberry Orange Glow”
Interior: Total custom interior by Pro Comp Custom
Engine: LS3 with a reversed intake
Transmission: GM 4L60E 4-speed automatic
Chassis: Roadster Shop
Wheels: Schott Performance Wheels
Paint: Axalta Sarsaparilla Sage
Interior: Recovery Room
Engine: LS performance engine that has been further modified by Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop for a vintage appearance
Transmission: Bowler Transmissions–prepped TREMEC TKO
Chassis: Roadster Shop custom chassis
Wheels: Custom knockoff aluminum wheels machined by Greening Auto Company
Paint: BASF “Breault Blue”
Interior: Chuck Rowland Interiors
Engine: GM LS
Transmission: Automatic 4L60-E
Chassis: Custom with air ride
Wheels: Coker rims and custom hubcaps
Paint: Cool Grey Khaki customized Debeer Refinish with PPG clear coat
Interior: Live Free Custom custom ’58 Oldsmobile reproduction fabric and vinyl
Engine: LT1 engine with custom crank, camshaft, and stainless steel 180-degree headers
Transmission: GM 10-speed automatic transmission
Chassis: Art Morrison
Wheels: ‘58 Oldsmobile hubcap style – One-off Custom Machined
Paint: Pearl red Glasurit paint
Interior: Cadillac ATS bucket seats upholstered in red Garrett leather
Engine: LS3
Transmission: GM 4L65B
Chassis: JW Rod Shop
Wheels: Schott Performance Wheels
Paint: Canyon Beige
Interior: Recovery Room Interiors
Engine: Mercury Racing SB4
Transmission: Road Race-prepped Tremec T-56
Chassis: Detroit Speed Forgeline AL305
Wheels: Forgeline AL305
Paint: Jupiter Red
Interior: Distinct Customs using Relicate Italian leather and suede materials
Engine: 540cid Merlin built by Mike LeFever with Twin Garrett turbos (1,400HP)
Transmission: GM 4L80E Automatic (with paddle shifters)
Chassis: Custom Mart Morrison chassis
Wheels: Evod Industries – One-off Custom
Paint: PPG custom-mixed ‘Brute Force’ Blue
Interior: Gabe’s Custom Interiors
Engine: 509 cid, first-generation Chevrolet big block (615 HP)
Transmission: 4L89E Automatic by TCI/Comp Performance
Chassis: Art Morrison chassis
Wheels: Evod Industries – One-off Custom
Paint: PPG Paint
Interior: M&M Hot Rod Interiors
Engine: 327 small-block Chevy with Enderle stack injectors
Transmission: Power Glide Automatic
Chassis: Cal Automotive (Tex Collins)
Wheels: Rear – Custom one-off wheels with brass knockoffs, Front – Hallcraft wire wheels
Paint: Metal flake orange with flames (Dan Gogh)
Interior: Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors
Engine: First Gen 354 cid Hemi with EFI that appears as a six-carb induction setup
Transmission: Automatic
Chassis: Boxed frame with air-ride suspension
Wheels: Jonathan Peace custom design
Paint: House of Kolor Way Past Midnite Blue
Interior: Bill’s Hot Rod Interiors
Engine: 540cid Merlin built by Mike LeFever with Twin Garrett turbos (1,400HP)
Transmission: GM 4L80E Automatic (with paddle shifters)
Chassis: Custom Mart Morrison chassis
Wheels: Evod Industries – One-off Custom
Paint: PPG custom-mixed ‘Brute Force’ Blue
Interior: Gabe’s Custom Interiors
Engine: 427cid LS7 Retuned by Wegner Motorsports (675HP)
Transmission: Bowler-prepped T56 six-speed
Chassis: Detroit Speed suspension
Wheels: Forgeline
Paint: BASF special mix maroon paint
Interior: Avant Garde
Engine: 498ci Arias V-6 Hemi (1 of 5 built) 800HP
Transmission: Tremec five-speed transmission
Chassis: Total custom built chassis (chromoly tube)
Wheels: Halibrand magnesium wheels
Paint: Rosso Mugello Ferrari red paint
Interior: Schober’s Custom Hot Rod Interiors
Engine: LS1 V8, topped off by Hilborn EFI stacks
Transmission: GM 4L60E Automatic
Chassis: Kugel-built, independently sprung chassis
Wheels: Custom/One Off 5-Spoke
Paint: PPG (Black with Flames)
Interior: Gabes Street Rods Custom Interiors
Engine: 383 cid small-block Chevy
Transmission: Bowler-built 4L60E automatic transmission
Chassis: Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop
Wheels: Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop
Paint: BASF Celedon Mist paint
Interior: Speed and Design
Engine: Ford Flat Head V8
Transmission: GM 200R Automatic
Chassis: Modified Model A chassis with parts from Hercules Motor Car Company
Wheels: Dayton Wire Wheels
Paint: Custom Root Beer Color
Interior: Recovery Room Interiors
Engine: LS3 (435 HP)
Transmission: GM 4L60E Automatic
Chassis: Custom Pro Street chassis with Ridetech ScockWave Air Ride
Wheels: Billet Specialties wheels
Paint: Axalta GM Subterranean
Interior: Weber’s Custom Interiors