Words: Tommy Parry
Byron is a rare breed of builder. Inspired by the widebody monsters in IMSA GT, he set out to turn this aging Vega into something that would surprise even the staunchest, most adrenaline-pumped Pro Tourers around. And yet, it still had to retain a certain level of class and style. It’s hard to know where to start with this car, as it’s comprehensively modified and stunning in every department, but perhaps a glimpse into its humble beginnings will set the stage nicely.
Byron began this ambitious Vega build with the intention of mimicking a widebodied, big-block Dekon Monza racer from yesteryear. To give this Chevy the roadholding an homage to IMSA GT deserves, Byron added a Hooker Header IMSA Wide Body Kit and mounted a set of Panasport-style rims under those wide arches. Controlling the deceleration is a set of Wilwood 13” diameter discs with 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-pistons in the back. The athletic stance, the broad shoulders and the muscular frame all contribute to an undeniable presence.
As attractive as the Vega was quickly becoming, it was never intended to be a showcar exclusively. With the intent of making the most of the impressive powerplant, Byron added an Art Morrison 3-Link rear clip. The front suspension complements the trick rear; tubular control arms with Chevy S-10 2-inch drop spindles and a power rack and pinion for steering allow for the sort of incisive steering one expects from a proper Pro Tourer.
Above the suspension, he added a Griffin Aluminum radiator with dual fans to cool the potent LS3 motor, which sends its power to a Tremec TKO 500 transmission. For the purposes of maximizing packaging and weight distribution, Byron mounted the gearbox back 3” from the stock location, shifted ¾” to the right and lowered approximately 2”.
Rounding out the long list of modifications to the powerplant, custom 1 ¾” equal length headers funnel into a twin exhaust, which exits out the right side of the car – a feature as theatrical as it is intimidating. A Hillborn Injection Intake feeds the hungry mill.
Once the front end scraped the ground with a broad front splitter, the Vega truly resembled some snarling racing car from forty years ago. Further adding to the racy appearance, Byron enlisted the help of A-Team Restorations in Bend, Oregon. They scrapped the original bodykit and reworked those panels in steel to a similar shape but with slightly better aerodynamic properties.
With a full coat of primer, a bit of tweaking and tugging to straighten the rear panels and the addition of the rear belly pan, the car was morphing into its final form.
With the exterior largely taken care of, Byron moved on to the interior. The cabin was designed to be spartan but plush enough for a road-worthy car. There’s still a little flair, though, and the custom gauge pod, Dakota Digital Dash, Procar seats, Ridetech harnesses, Wilwood pedals, plenty of leather and a prominent shifter in the center offered the glitz that would turn heads at the occasional meet.
Next came a coat of paint. A combination of Slate Gray, a splash of Gloss White and a brilliant red stripe running the length of the car is undoubtedly sporty, but still subtle enough for a road car. The tasteful choice in colors, the wild widebody and the snarling LS3 all contribute to a car that is as menacing as it is beautiful. A rare combination from a rare breed of builder, indeed.
