Page 23 - Issue 47

One could make a very strong argument that few, if any, rat rodders ould make
One c
possess the resume’ of one Chris Walker. There are other builders
possess the resume’ of one Chris Walker. There are other builders
who have constructed multiple vehicles, but when it comes to
who have constructed multiple vehicles, but when it comes to
vision, innovation and sheer WOW factor, Chris has knocked it out
vision, innovation and sheer WOW factor, Chris has knocked it out
of the park time and time again. His ‘37 Dodge tanker that graced
of the park time and time again. His ‘37 Dodge tanker that graced
the cover of RRM #5, as well as our book, The Illustrated History of
the cover of RRM #5, as well as our book, The Illustrated History of
the Rat Rod, told the world, or rather - SCREAMED to the world
the Rat Rod, told the world, or rather - SCREAMED to the world
that he was a force to be reckoned with. When we put together the
that he was a force to be reckoned with. When we put together the
fi rst Build-Off back in 2013, his ‘57 Chevy wagon ran away with
fi rst Build-Off back in 2013, his ‘57 Chevy wagon ran away with
fi rst place. A year later his airplane-engine-powered “Bugly”
fi rst place. A year later his airplane-engine-powered “Bugly”
was Build-Off runner-up. And now, we bring to you the Hulk-
was Build-Off runner-up. And now, we bring to you the Hulk-
Camino – a vehicle that has become a true icon of not only
Camino – a vehicle that has become a true icon of not only
the rat rod world, but the hot rod world in general.
the rat rod world, but the hot rod world in general.
The Hulk-Camino started out life as a ‘59 Chevy El Camino.
The Hulk-Camino started out life as a ‘59 Chevy El Camino.
Chris had put out the word that he was looking for one, having
Chris had put out the word that he was looking for one, having
already sketched the idea for the build in his head. Upon lifting the
already sketched the idea for the build in his head. Upon lifting the
tarp that had covered the car for the better part of a decade, he
tarp that had covered the car for the better part of a decade, he
discovered that it wasn’t in quite as good of shape as he had been
discovered that it wasn’t in quite as good of shape as he had been
led to believe. No worries though – it was just what he needed.
led to believe. No worries though – it was just what he needed.
He cut away all of the rusty stuff and radically altered the
body as he did with his ‘57 – performing a reversed chop on
the windshield with a steep rake to the body. Removing a
few feet from the length and sticking that huge blown motor
up front also gave the car its Hot Wheels-esque stance.
Sometimes the car is displayed without the custom front
fenders, which have an uncanny resemblance to those found
on the latest iteration of the Corvette. The cab was cut down
to more of a cockpit with a mostly stock dash and a couple of
bomber-style buckets. And no ITW build is complete without
the overhead-mounted B&M racing shifter.
But this is no static model. With 802 horses at the crank, this
car is all business. (see page 21) Anybody who watched the
repeated trips up and down West Sahara Avenue that night
during the RatCity Rukkus in Las Vegas this past April can
attest to that. Starting with a Dart 400 cubic inch Chevy
block, Chris and his crew at ITW Hot Rods added a Callies
ultra-lightweight crank, SCAT rods, custom pistons, and a 6-71
BDS blower topped with a couple of Holley 780’s. All of that
power is routed through a Monster 700R4 trans and back to
Dana 60 rear with Strange internals.
Darryl Starbird is a guy who knows a thing or two about hot
rods and he has twice used Chris’s cars to promote his yearly
show by featuring both the ‘57 and the Hulk-Camino. Chris is
already working on yet another mind-blowing creation as
we speak. We have no idea what it is, and he’s not
offering anything up. But we can promise you that
you won’t be disappointed.

RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 23

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