Hot Rod Update: We're Back To Check Out Hotchkis Performance East's '76 Dart

PPN Editor
•
April 3, 2014

Dart 3 01

We recently had a chance to stop back by the Hotchkis Performance East shops in Mooresville, NC, to check out the progress on the ’76 Dart Kevin Bryde and his crew of mad fabricators were building. This is our third visit to HPE, so if you missed the first two installments, you can catch up by clicking here and here.

HPE has pushed out a couple projects since our last visit, so the Dart hasn’t seen as much progress as before, but the car is definitely moving forward and we are as excited as ever to see the finished product.

Pretty significant bracing stiffens the front clip.
Pretty significant bracing stiffens the front clip.
Since the supports connecting the A-pillars to the roll cage downtubes will be visible, they of course have to look great, too.
Since the supports connecting the A-pillars to the roll cage downtubes will be visible, they of course have to look great, too.
The removable transmission tunnel is taking shape. The tunnel can be removed so that the transmission can be pull out of the car quickly with the engine still in place.
The removable transmission tunnel is taking shape. The tunnel can be removed so that the transmission can be pull out of the car quickly with the engine still in place.
The fuel cell is moved as far forward as possible to help keep the weight centralized.
The fuel cell is moved as far forward as possible to help keep the weight centralized.

While we were there we also couldn't help but drool all over this beautiful '73 Firebird that's getting a complete Hotchkis rear suspension setup.
While we were there we also couldn’t help but drool all over this beautiful ’73 Firebird that’s getting a complete Hotchkis rear suspension setup.
This Camaro was just about ready to go out the door after lots of custom upgrades throughout the car.
This Camaro was just about ready to go out the door after lots of custom upgrades throughout the car.
Here's a shot of the hand-fabricated dash Bryde built for the Camaro.
Cupholders! Here’s a shot of the hand-fabricated dash Bryde built for the Camaro.

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