From 1967 through 1974, Joel Rosen of Long Island, New York’s Motion Performance made a deal with GM’s Chevrolet division and nearby Baldwin Chevrolet to upgrade production Chevrolets into all-out, drag strip-ready beasts. Many of the Motion-modified cars came with large and unusual three-barrel Holley carburetors, high-rise aluminum intake manifolds, upgraded ignition systems, overdrive transmissions, headers, side exhaust pipes, bored-out big-block V8s and heavy-duty suspension components.

Those were the days when America’s corporate car culture welcomed outsiders with innovative ideas. Chevrolet and GM backed the heavy-duty use expected of these cars and, as a result, earned a lot of street credibility nationwide that boosted sales of big block Camaros, Chevelles, Corvettes and Novas on the showroom floor. To top it all off, Motion’s top-level Phase III cars were sold with an outrageous quarter-mile performance guarantee in writing: 11.5 seconds at 120 mph!

This car was auctioned off by RM Auctions in June of 2010 at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California.

Modified 454 cu. in. V8 engine, modified Turbo-Hydramatic 350 three-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension with unequal-length upper and lower control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar, four-link rear suspension with 12-bolt rear end housing, unequal-length upper and lower control arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar, and vacuum-assisted front disc, rear drum hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 112".

Source: RM Auctions
Photo Credit: Copyright Darin Schnabel