Chris Perry bought and built his 1981 Malibu just for Holley LS Fest East 2024. The Conneaut, Ohio native sourced a $300 Chevrolet 2-door shell that was devoid of engine and transmission as the foundation for a drag car that he’s yet to race.

“I got the car for just $300 and got to work,” Chris told us. The idea was to build it on the cheap. So, like many here at LS Fest, he found a junkyard engine to power his car. “I found a 4.8-liter LS with 150,000 miles on it, and I used that as the base. It still has a stock bottom-end, but I added LS6 heads along with a Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) turbo camshaft and a 76mm On3 turbocharger,” he explained.

Keeping in true Chevrolet tradition, Chris went with the tried-and-true Turbo 400 3-speed transmission, but he went with a Moser Ford 9-inch rear end for maximum strength. The suspension is a combination of parts from Summit Racing Equipment and BMR Suspension. Race weight is only 2,800 lb. with driver.

Chris is a plumber by day, so he had no problem wrenching on the ’81 Chevy. “I’m excited to be here at LS Fest and to race my car. It hasn’t been down the track yet, so I have no idea what it will run. I have a bunch of people here. We’re having fun and the event is just getting started.”