Wagons are usually regarded as the black sheep of the hot rod world; they’re long, heavy, and not as traditionally sexy as their sleek coupe counterparts. However, John Krenn is the proud owner of a supercharged and LS-powered 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle wagon that turns heads not only because of its unconventional shape, but also because its appearance makes it a top contender at car shows.

The owner left the exterior of this long roof rod alone, only changing the rear spoiler, but the interior is all new. (Photo by Scott Parker)

The 53-year-old owner of Krenn Power Sports in Texas has had a wrench in his hand since he was 13. Although he doesn’t race anymore, he still enjoys having fun wheeling rad rides on the streets. Over the years, he’s owned a collection of cool cars, but his 1971 Chevelle wagon was built to do more than just drive: it’s built to win trophies and leave its competition in the dust.

I call this ‘the car that never should have been built,’” laughed Krenn, who admits the ’71 wagon—which he’s nicknamed “Bad Wanda” — is kind of an ugly duckling.

“It’s unheard of to build one to this extent. The amount of time and money in this build would astonish people. The list of parts includes only the best, and the end result is a smile on everyone’s face at every car show I go to … and that’s priceless.”

Unusual History

Krenn originally tried to purchase the wagon in 2019, but that deal fell through. He found the car again two years later, but wasn’t able to make a deal until the winter of 2022-2023.

The Chevelle had initially been built by Steven Rupp of the now-defunct Super Chevy magazine, then was subsequently unfinished and re-finished by its next owner. The first iteration included a build by Motor Trend and Best of Show Coachworks in California, and utilized a Fast Track chassis from Roadster Shop that resulted in a ride like a modern-day sports car.

“I changed a few minor things after I purchased it, like rear gears, springs, and the spoiler,” noted Krenn, “but I fully gutted the interior and had it changed to completely custom. It’s totally different now from when I first got it.”

Perhaps his favorite part of the car, Krenn had Texas-based Paul Gomez at PaulG Custom Interiors completely rework the cabin with a beautiful blend of modern luxury and vintage muscle. Black leather surrounds classy burgundy inserts in the seats, door panels, and console—all stitched together with precision and clearly crafted for comfort. Additionally, the custom center console features integrated cup holders and an extended armrest, giving the cabin a tailored, upscale feel.

Not just built to look good, Bad Wanda was also built to cruise and was outfitted with all of the amenities a driver could ever want in a muscle car makeover: premium materials, supportive seating, and just enough flair to make it unique.

Subtle Yet Sleek

From the outside, though, the wagon’s ‘70s-era aesthetic has been preserved and sharpened. “It’s been painted with 2004 Ford Mustang Mineral Gray,” noted Krenn. Although purist Chevy fans might cringe at the thought of cross-make contamination, the hue looks perfectly at home on the Chevelle and shows off the car’s classic lines.

Meanwhile, subtle brightwork complements the sleek metallic finish, and the polished trim gives off just the right amount of attitude. A set of American-made Forgeline 18” wheels complement the overall look, and while the SS badging hints at performance, there’s a whole lot more going on under the hood than most would expect.

The super clean engine bay itself is a showpiece—every hose is neatly routed and wire is tucked out of sight, showcasing the kind of attention to detail that separates casual builds from serious craftsmanship. However, it’s the 415 cubic inch LS3 engine that’s been overhauled and fortified by Shafiroff Race Engines that truly shines.

Neatly packaged between the frame rails and flanked by a set of Ultimate headers, the GM powerplant received some aftermarket internals. “It’s got Lunati H-beam connecting rods, MAHLE pistons, and a forged steel Lunati Voodoo 4-inch stroke crankshaft,” shared Krenn. Air Flow Research heads were given the VIP treatment with Brian Tooley Racing’s platinum dual spring kit, and a custom cam from Tooley was also slotted into the equation.  “It also has a complete Holley fuel system.”

The fun doesn’t stop there, though, as Krenn’s car came equipped with a wicked black ProCharger D1X supercharger and front-mount intercooler, all plumbed for performance. “I don’t have any times on it right now, but it makes 983 horsepower and 857 lb-ft of torque,” said the owner of the Chevrolet Performance Parts  ECU-controlled combination.

Backing the engine is a TREMEC Magnum 6-speed manual with a Mantic dual clutch. Rowing gears on a wagon seems a bit unusual, but it’s just another unexpected element that makes Bad Wanda such a crowd-pleaser. “It’s an absolute blast to drive and is super smooth on the road,” added Krenn.

The Complete Package

Just like the rest of the build, the Chevelle’s stance is spot-on, too. Suspended on a set of Penske coilovers at all four corners, it looks every ounce the mean machine Krenn knows it can be. With just the right amount of tuck, wide Falken Azenis tires are stuffed under the rear fenders for traction, while a skinnier set was installed up front for that classic pro touring look.

In the back, the estate car received an upgraded Strange Engineering third member with Detroit Locker automatic locking differential so that all of the available torque transferred via the GForce Performance Engineering carbon fiber driveshaft is applied evenly to both rear wheels. Meanwhile, Baer XTR brakes help the hefty hauler to stop safely on the streets.

Photo by Scott Parker

For Krenn, his wagon isn’t just a head-turner—it’s a reflection of passion, skill, and an appreciation of the unconventional. While most builds follow the familiar pattern of restomod Camaros or Mustangs, John took the long road (literally) and made a muscle-bound masterpiece out of a platform most people wouldn’t give a second glance… and that’s exactly the point.

“I like that it’s unique. It turns heads and gets a lot of attention everywhere we go. For me, seeing people enjoy something so different is a lot of fun,” stated Krenn.

Whether he’s cruising through town or rolling into a car show, he’s proud of his project that proves that form and function don’t have to be mutually exclusive: it’s clean enough to be featured in a showroom, but mean enough to earn respect at the strip.

With its glossy metallic gray paint and a screamin’ supercharged LS powerplant under the hood, Krenn’s full-size “Bad Wanda” 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle wagon is a rolling contradiction that’s equal parts standout show car, street muscle machine, and family car— with four doors and plenty of cargo space — but it all adds up to a ride that’s 100 percent muscle, and that is definitely not an ugly duckling anymore.