I've always liked this car... since I first noticed it on the pages of Popular Hot Rodding magazine some 35 years ago. It's been around even longer as the magazine's continuously running test bed for the latest in high performance gear. However, somewhere along the way, it was realized that 'X' was an icon, having been used for everything from a test mule, to a race car, to a prop in a Hollywood 'B' movie.



I was real pleased to encounter this timeless classic at last week's Super Chevy event in Memphis. Although the photography was challenging what with the car being entombed in the GM Performance parts compound and surrounded many admirers, it still made my heart skip a beat to finally see this legendary 57 on display, resplendent in it's chrome yellow paint. It was also good to see that this classic has received a complete renovation during the past year in honor of it's 50th birthday.



This newest version of the time honored project car was spared no expense, but isn't totally over the top with impractical modifications either. The trick Budnik wheels look right at home, and the engine bay has received a brand new GM 'Anniversary 427' engine. Subtle details abound, and I was particularly impressed with what may be the world's slickest implementation of a common air cleaner... built into the hood bracing, it gets "removed" every time the lid goes up!



This latest redo of 'Project X' was recently completed by the folks at GM's Performance Parts division. While at GM's web site, be sure to visit the Project X link, and make sure to watch the videos they have posted there. They explain the latest modifications, and the storied history of this screaming yellow zonker really well.



Without a doubt the most famous magazine project car ever, 'Project X' upstaged Hot Rod magazine's project vehicles at a time when the two titles were head to head competitors. Nowadays, both magazines are part of the same happy family & publishing conglomerate, and 'X' has seen several high dollar re-dos over the years. Once upon a time it was flogged for ever improving time slips at southern California's Irwindale Raceway after the installation of the latest in speed parts in the Pop Rod editor's driveway. Yet, I never got to admire it in person in those days. Thankfully, things are different after becoming an iconic legend at the tender age of 50.

LK

Tags: Memphis Motorsports Park, Super Chevy, Project X