PHR’s Project Olds gets off to a great start with suspension from DSE, brakes from Baer, tires from Nitto, and wheels from Rocket.

As we mentioned before, PHR photographer Robert McGaffin has embarked on a new and exciting project car that we’ll be covering in the magazine over the next year or so. After purchasing a mint ’65 Olds cutlass F-85 on eBay for $7,500, Robert got to work refurbishing the chassis, brakes, wheels, and tires. Stories will be coming shortly, but here’s Robert’s recap of the early going:

As I was driving my 1965 Olds Cutlass into the Chicagoland Nationals in Joliet, IL this weekend, the one thought that went through my head was: “I never imagined a year ago I would be driving my own hot rod into the show.” I was reflecting a lot on what has happened since last year when I covered this event. I would dream about having a car and competing in the Autocross with my friends, trash talking with them. This year it became a reality. I had been through so much, not necessarily for the good, this last year. I finally started to live my dream when I got the Cutlass in April.

Well, now it’s September and here we are. The car made its maiden trip around the Autocross and I couldn’t be happier on the performance gains we made already. These gains came by the way of Detroit Speed’s new A-body suspension upgrade with coilover conversion, Baer’s new T4 brakes with 13-inch rotors, and Rocket Racing wheels wrapped with Nitto NT-01s. If it wasn’t for my lack of seat time, the car’s potential to keep up with some of the Camaros this weekend might have been unhindered.

The car got a lot of attention, and it seemed to really be well received. It was the only 1965 Cutlass there this weekend, and the only one on the Autocross. It’s not your grandpa’s Oldsmobile anymore. I want to thank the following for their interest in our project. Stacy and Kyle Tucker from Detroit Speed and Engineering, Rick Elam and Baer Brakes, David Coker, Rocket Racing Wheels, Stephen Leu from Nitto Tires, and Brent Jarvis of Performance Restorations for helping with the installs. I finally want to thank Johnny Hunkins and Ed Zinke for giving me this opportunity. Watch for the build up on the Cutlass coming up in early 2010!

Sources:
www.detroitspeed.com
www.baer.com
www.rocketracingwheels.com
www.nittotire.com