The Edelbrock Academy
This past November something fantastic was brewing at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Yes, the Edelbrock Supercharger kits for late model Camaro and Corvette LS2 and LS3 applications were fantastic reveals, but that's not where we are going exactly.
At a special Press Conference, The Edelbrock Academy a newly formed program between Edelbrock and Ohio Technical College (OTC) was announced. The program will give students a solid foundation in the building and tuning of American muscle cars and performance vehicles. As part of the course, OTC students learn about engine modifications; how to install high-performance products such as exhaust, nitrous and supercharging systems; and how to conduct dyno tuning and testing, among other skills.
The press conference outlined the details of the program but there was one more special surprise to come. Secretly and unknown to Vic, the students and faculty at OTC had begun work on a custom build of a special '57 Chevy Bel Air to be given to Vic. Vic was surprised and moved to say the least.
Fast forward to today... On Sunday May 1, 2011 the finished vehicle will be unveiled at the 6th Annual Rev'ved Up 4 kids Charity Car Show. This will be Vic's first time viewing the vehicle, which is loosely based on an existing Hot Wheels toy.
OTC team members Justin and Jordan Brenner are driving the vehicle from the OTC facility in Ohio to the show here in Torrance, California. Past and present OTC students and faculty who contributed to the build are also making the journey to the show to help present the vehicle to Vic.
"The1957 Chevy Bel Air was a remarkable learning tool for our students and a great way to introduce the Edelbrock Academy and showcase the type of practical and applied training students will receive," said Justin Brenner, director of corporate development at OTC. "Students in our Classic Car Restoration as well as Racing and High Performance Programs have spent the past several months completely restoring the '57 Chevy. Students dedicated their time transforming the car from a rusty shell of the past into a custom hot rod of the future. The Bel Air is infused with custom features and accessories including the new Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger making it a 600 horsepower '57 Chevy."
Many industry partners supported the project build by donating parts and services, including Edelbrock-LLC, Danchuk, Eckler's, Fat Man Fabrications, Scoggin-Dickey and Summit Racing Equipment. A special thank you also goes out to those students from OTC who made this custom build happen: Quinton Miller from Berlin, Ohio; Alex Jacin from North Randall, Ohio; and Chad O'Leary from Janesville, Wis.
The Chevy Bel Air will be driven on this years Hot Rod Power Tour, and be displayed throughout the coming year as part of OTC's "80 high school and 20 car show tour" to promote the Edelbrock Academy to prospective students. |
