Most builds at LS Fest start with Camaros, Chevelles, or C10s. But Joe Stewart? He rolled in with a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair van—mid-engine, rear-radiator, and packing an LS surprise.

Underneath the weathered body is a 6.0-liter LS-based truck motor mated to a Turbo 400 automatic. Out back is a G-Body rear end.

The Vortec 6000 engine breathes through a flipped intake runner and custom headers, otherwise the powerplant is stock. The radiator lives in the rear, tucked neatly under a panel with electric fans keeping it coolant temps in check.

The build has a touch of hot-rod creativity: the fuel tank is a repurposed keg, and the stock computer, fuse box, and battery are hidden inside an old-school toolbox.

Joe’s not just building wild stuff for the attention—he’s part of a stock car racing family, and fabrication is second nature. The Corvair was picked up in Kansas after catching Joe’s eye among a pair of project vans. The rest is LS Fest history.

Check out Holley’s lineup of innovative LS swap parts here.

Explore our complete LS Fest Texas coverage here.