Photography by Grant Cox
ne of the realities of hot rodding is once you are married a family is not too far behind. J.D. Terry, of Oklahoma, could see the handwriting on the wall. He purchased his ’61 Chevy Brookwood station wagon as a stocker and all original. His intentions were to build a cross-country driver that could hall himself, his wife, Carissa, and their two daughters, Layla and G.G.
Once J.D. had the Brookwood home he got with his longtime friend Seth Curry of Curry Custom Fab and disassembled the car, returning the chassis and body parts to J.D. From here J.D. went to work. Eric Banks of B T Powder Coating helped with the complete frame, inner fenders, core support, and numerous other odds and ends that needed to be powdercoated.
Supplying the power is the always-popular big-block Chevy, this time running 496 inches (bored and stroked). The machine work was handled by Gerald Brand of Brand Racing Engines. The final assembly and tune came by way of Bob Bales of Bales Performance. The BBC now pushes 600 hp and 700-plus lb-ft of torque. The internals are based on a Bales Performance custom grind hydraulic roller camshaft, Wiseco 10.1 pistons, and factory iron heads that are ported and polished and feature larger valves. Of course, there is lots of ARP hardware holding matters together.
Outside, an aluminum Edelbrock Performer intake is used, topped with a Holley Sniper EFI and a Holley electric fuel pump. The Holley HyperSpark Ignition System is also used. The factory-style air cleaner and plug wires come by way of Delmo’s Speed & Kustom. Exiting the used fuel load are a pair of Sanderson 1-7/8-inch headers linked to 3-inch custom exhaust pipes run through a pair of Flowmaster 50 Series mufflers, all fabricated by Curry Custom Fabrication. The cooling chores fall to PRC Performance Rod & Custom for one of their electric fan and radiator systems while the water pump comes by way of Edelbrock. The Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine belt system works the power steering, alternator, and air conditioning hardware. Backed up to the BBC is a 700-R4 outfitted by Monster Transmissions that utilizes a B&M 3,000 stall converter, a modified TCI Automotive valvebody and shift kit.
The body is a stock ’61 Chevy Brookwood station wagon that still runs its original Almond Beige paint, however, the interior (red matte), engine compartment (body color), and the underside of the body were freshly prepped and painted by Charles Degand at CD Designs using Glasurit materials.
Once finished, J.D., Dave, Curry, English, and others got together and made the roundtrip from Oklahoma City to Phoenix for Dino’s Git Down. Left the house with 50 miles and came home with 2,000-plus on the odometer. Currently the car has 10,000-plus miles of totally enjoyable driving. And that’s what a hot rod does best–it’s driven, a lot.