Holley LS Fest Texas is rolling strong at Texas Motor Speedway with track action galore and hundreds of cars and trucks in the Hooker Blackheart/LS1tech.com Car Show. LS and modern LT fans are getting their fill with the endless variety of swapped and modded machines, from the most recent Detroit iron to 50-plus year old classics.
The show portion of the event is an absolute highlight, as fans get up close with wild creations. These include bolt-ons to the virtually unthinkable. Nothing is off limits for builders who are here showing off their fabrication skills and we’ve created a gallery for you to enjoy.
The car show is one of the highlights of LS Fest Texas. It is open to all LS-powered vehicles, including cars, trucks, and even air boats! Participants can enter their vehicles in various categories, such as Best in Show, Best Engine Bay, and Best Paint. The competition is fierce, and the level of creativity and craftsmanship on display is truly impressive.
No matter the location, Holley LS Fest is a celebration of all things LS (and current-Gen LT) and this weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway the stars can be found in the Hooker Blackheart/LS1Tech.com Car Show. Vehicles we spotted already include all types of our favorite GM-powered machines including many that were never born in a Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac or GMC assembly plant.
LS engines are the kings when it comes to swaps and a walk through the car show will prove it. Of course, we found early GM iron in the form of Blazers, pick-up trucks, Novas, and early F-body Camaros and Firebirds, but we also spotted some dandy’s including a 1962 Plymouth drag car and a show-stopping 1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II.
And if you’re thinking about coming out, you’ll want to know what’s new for 2023. All car show awards will be selected by a celebrity panel of industry professionals. All vehicles on the grounds are eligible for car show awards. The Car Show awards ceremony will take place early Saturday evening in the Burnout Challenge area.
Our panel of celebrity influencers, content creators, and industry professionals will be on hand looking for the details and the Holley crew will be choosing their favorites as well. We want to see what you’re building!
Classes:
Coming from across the pond is Mike and Brian Gantley’s 1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II. Rolls Royce produced the Silver Cloud from 1955 until 1966 and it was perhaps the epitome of class and style for the era. These models were easily distinguished by the wonderfully flowing lines and beautiful upright shiny grille.
The Silver Cloud II was originally powered by a 6.2L V8 and it had a top speed of 114 mph. This one can go much faster thanks to the LS3 crate engine and 6L80E transmission. “We have over 6,000 hours in the build,” said Mike Gantley. “It has an Art Morrison chassis with Ride Tech air ride and Wilwood brakes with ABS,” he added.
The Gantley’s Rolls is incredible to look at from any angle. It offers endless detail and those classic smooth lines. The outer beauty is incredible, but the interior is just as plush. It features elegant wood trim, a glass separation from front to rear, foot rests for rear passengers and a fold-out tray for dining. In addition to fitting the 1960s body to the newer chassis, they spent endless nights making the body straight and prepping the trim. The unique color is PPG Brown Sugar up top with a Chrysler Cool Vanilla below the belt line. The theme is continued with Detroit Speed 22-inch wheels with a 5-inch offset.
They have owned the car for over 8 years and are now enjoying it as often as possible. The family is from Shreveport, La. and they are here in Texas having a blast at Holley LS Fest. “I’m glad we chose a modern suspension, it has a six-link out back and when they as, I tell people, it rides like a Rolls Royce.”
Okay, the headline is a tad confusing, but it’s true, this is the first event after Shawn and Lizzy Nelson have resurrected their 1970 LSX-powered Nova. Shawn has owned the orange Chevrolet for 17 years and it’s seen a few “looks” in that time.
The last five years, however, it has been “under construction” and the results are simply amazing. The couple from Decatur, Tx. Literally just finished the latest build and fans of Holley LS Fest Texas are the benefactors.
The Nova was torn down to a bare shell and stripped of its stock underpinnings. Shawn fabricated a complete tube chassis with wheel tubs and coil-over shocks and he went with a TCI front clip. The engine is a very streetable LSX 454 R that develops 770 horsepower. It’s fed by a Holley Dominator carburetor along with a Fogger nitrous system for additional punch.
The fit and finish is first-class, including the headers, carbon front fender wells and billet fan shrouds. We loved the blacked-out front engine dress and just how the engine projects the image of power. It’s backed by a FTI Stage 6 Turbo 400 transmission and a Pro Mod-style 9-inch Ford rear. It's truly built for cruising with a custom interior with aftermarket buckets, console and modern gauges. Finished the build are RC Component wheels with Mickey Thompson rubber and wildwood brakes.
