LOOK WHO’S BACK

Wairarapa’s Johnny Burkhart isn’t someone to do things by halves, so when he sold his Plymouth Cuda, it was only going to be a matter of time before he returned with something bigger and better. Johnny has had that bigger and better replacement in his possession for a while now, but it’s only just been made public — and has it been worth the wait! The car is based on a 2010 Jerry Bickel-built chassis with a very swoopy ’70 Plymouth Duster body draped over the top.

As we’ve come to expect from Johnny, the car looks amazing, thanks in part to a new vinyl wrap by Visual Industrie. Things are equally impressive under the composite body, with a 451ci BAE Hemi engine taking the space between the rails. Topped with BAE heads and running a 3.6-inch stroke Bryant crank, Arias pistons, and Venola rods, the bottom end has been built to handle some serious boost. That’s a good thing, too, as plenty will be thrown at it due to the custom BorgWarner twin turbo set-up.

Reece Fish at FFR has helped build the engine, along with supplying a custom ground cam, while Carl and AJ at C&M Performance have been instrumental in the fabrication work for the exhaust manifolds and turbo plumbing, as well as setting up the Holley EFI system. The package delivers power through a Rossler T400 three-speed trans with M&M shifter through to a Bickel-built 9.5-inch diff complete with carbon brakes.

Johnny is quick to thank those mentioned above, along with friends ‘Skida’ and Rhys Humphries, who have also been involved. The car is now almost ready to race. If business and family commitments don’t get in the way, we should see Johnny back on track at Masterton Motorplex this coming season — and if this car goes half as fast as its looks suggest it will, it’s going to be a hell of a one to watch!