Speed is habit-forming. Just ask Jay Bradford of Bad Habit Racing what is means to push the pedal to the floor and he’d describe an adrenaline-packed experience for which words alone can do no justice.
His 1960 Chevrolet Corvette was purchased “al fresco” in 1969. Bradford negotiated the sale by swapping the body from his 1968 Chevy Camaro. The Corvette was less than iconic, being completely trashed and featuring a view of the heavens courtesy of a top that no longer resisted the elements. The front end was smashed and just about every detail that defined this ride was in dire need of an overhaul.
Bradford’s plan was to put the ‘Vette on the track, so it was important that everything was resurrected to near precision and the car’s orientation was reconfigured for competition. The first step was to remove the body from the frame, reinforce the old frame and create a custom roll cage suitable for racing. The body was molded and mounted and all the essential race parts were added.
| Stats box |
| » Engine: 510 Chevy big block |
| » Performance: Powerglide transmission, 8.71 BDS supercharger |
| » Paint: custom by Allan Bradford Custom Paint |
| » Wheels: Weld performance |
| » Interior: roll cage, custom race gauges, auto interior fitted by Berlin Auto Trim |
| » Exterior: Drummond racing wing, chrome wheelie bar, parachute |
For power, the ‘Vette sports a 510 Chevy big block engine along with a recently installed 8.71 blower to suck in as much air as possible. A Powerglide transmission ensures premium gear-grinding performance. The performance boost required a performance wheel set from Weld, a wheelie bar to keep the car from shooting into the air on takeoff, and a racing wing for controlled downforce. And lest the ‘Vette overshoot the track at competition speeds, a parachute was added to slow down this speeding bullet.
While Bradford hasn’t run the blower yet, he thinks the car should be able to run a quarter-mile in the low 8-second range, topping his old time of 9.13 seconds on just the gas carburetor. With track times like these, one would expect Bradford to spend a lot of time building a reputation there. He knows a strip car needs to rest its laurels on its capacity for massive power.
The magnificent detail on this ‘Vette, complete with a paint job that has changed at least eight times since he bought it, means Bradford also knows what it takes to exhibit an eye-pleasing vehicle to a variety of crowds in the Washington area and beyond.
What do you drive? A 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.
Why do you drive it? I don’t drive it that much these days, but it’s fun when I do.
What makes this car so special? I have owned it since 1969 and have raced it for a long time.
What was your most memorable driving experience in this car? Winning a points championship at my local racetrack in 1993.
What was the first car you owned? A 1965 Chevelle SS convertible.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? The sound of a blower engine.
And your first ticket? What was it for? Causing excessive noise.
