Back in the before times, our hot rodding hobby was the wild west. Yeah, 40 years ago there was an aftermarket, but it didn’t even remotely resemble what you see today. Four decades ago, there weren’t terms like Pro-Touring, resto-mod, or even the Internet. There were no tubular control arms, and handling, for the most part, was left to Porsches and ’Vettes. You got your parts from brick-and-mortar speed shops and a few chains like Super Shops. But what we did have was Pro Street. Why? Well, because most of the aftermarket for hot rods was focused on drag racing, and guys worked overtime to meld drag race parts to their streetcars. This is the story of one such Pro Street Chevy that was iconic in the ’80s SoCal street scene, a 1965 Chevelle owned by Mark Abbott called Quicksilver. What you see here is pretty much how the car has looked for the last four decades, in essence a Pro Street survivor and a window into our hot rodding roots.
But besides being a survivor of an era, it’s also an excuse for me to kick down that editorial fourth wall. You see, I grew up with this car, drove it, got tickets in it and it’s a huge reason why I became a car guy. Back in the early- and mid-1980s, I was fresh out of high school and rockin’ a 1967 Camaro. I would do the big cruises, hit car shows, and hang out at the local street races. This is where I met Abbott. Back then, he was showing the car at RG Canning, the ISCA, and other big events. The car was stunning. Abbott and I became great friends, and I spent a lot of time with this Chevelle. Lots of good times and great stories. Of course, some of the stories need to be weighed against the statute of limitations before being shared.
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Hot Rod.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Hot Rod.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Making Connections
Project T-top Coupe: We install a Terminator X Max for big power.
LET IT BREATHE!
Project X’s new ZZ632 big-block needed to breathe, and this do-ityourself stainless exhaust kit was just the ticket to make it happen.
TUNING OPTIMIZED
VARIABLES WITHIN FUEL-INJECTOR CONSTRUCTION CAN LEAD TO POOR ENGINE OPERATION. HERE'S HOW TO TUNE YOUR FUEL INJECTORS.
Re-Flange It!
We check out the fab skills needed to run a flat hood on a 1970 Mustang with a very unique and too-tall engine.
THE TRIBUTE FOR THE WIN
Ron Capps wins the NHRA U.S. Nationals driving a Don Prudhomme-Hot Wheels tribute Funny Car.
So Close
Following a nearly flawless performance, a pít lane penalty kept the C8.R off the top of the podium in the IMSA Sportscar Weekend.
A RADICAL SHIFT
When you're a teenager and the police know you by name, it's not usually because of your volunteer work or class-topping GPA. Not at all. That was especially true for Jeff Kainz when he was behind the wheel of his 1975 Camaro. In the '80s, while cruising his hometown in North Dakota, his buddies with police scanners often heard the police tell one another: \"Kainz is out on Main Street.\"
WILD MASH-UP
Built to long-haul the 2023 HOT ROD Power Tour, this 1984 Monte Carlo’s facade hides a performance secret!
6 TIMER!
Tom Bailey captures his 6th HOT ROD Drag Week Unlimited/Overall title with his Sick Seconds 1.0 Camaro.
JIM MCFARLAND'S INFLUENCE WENT WAY BEYOND HOT ROD MAGAZINE.
Jim McFarland, the multitalented, multifaceted Texan who enjoyed several careers in the automotive performance industry, passed away in October 2023 at the age of 88.