The formula Barton used is profoundly simple and brutally effective. Using a 10.5:1 compression ratio with Edelbrock heads makes for cozy combustion characteristics with pump gas. A slightly loose cam with lift in the half-inch region is comfortable with the rear gear and the 3500 stall converter in the tranny while the Gear Vendors over/under brings cruise RPM directly in line with peak torque and stall speed. An Edelbrock Performer RPM intake keeps torque up across the RPM band while allowing the cam and heads to do some serious breathing. Hooker headers happily burble away with spent gases and send them down the TTI three inch system. Good for nearly 500 horsepower and over 500 foot pounds of torque, the motor is a fine example of a non-trick, carefully assembled, bullet proof street motor that should propel the Bee quite nicely. The only problem is traction––slicks are on order.

Somehow, Russell has performed the miracle of being understated while being outrageous at the same time. The Radir rims and big Mickey Thompson Sportsmans conspire with a lift off hood to give a mean vibe and killer 70’s rake. The Vinyl roof and green on green package are never a buzz hassle. The ride about town is smooth considering the pie cutter bias plys up front, although an appropriately sized set of radials is due for installation to tame the highway ride at 80+mph. Off the line the car is terrifying and pretty soon some disc brakes are going in to replace the monster 11” front drums.

Overall? I don’t think you can find a much better dual-purpose machine with such a heavy vintage vibe and this kind of performance anywhere. It might have taken nearly ten years but Russell never gave up on the Bee.

Russell would like to acknowledge all the help and support he received on this project from his mother, his friends, our ever faithful supplier of Moparts­­­­––Common’s Auto, Gotellis’ Speed Shop, and most of all Amy, Jim, and Loretta Cesari.

Yes, you do need just about 500 horsepower to fetch beer at the Mountain Store.