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All the Lakester action on Bud's video thread got me looking for a picture of the old So-Cal Special and I found this. . It says 2004....anyone know this project and if they've run it yet? ~ Pete
http://www.hotrodshows.com/pressrel....p=2&pid=43
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August 26th, 2005
GM's ECOTEC LAKESTER SETS RECORD AT BONNEVILLE
Before the rain could cancel last week's Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, General Motor's Ecotec Lakester was able to set a record in the Blown/G Class Lakester division. Built for GM by the famous So-Cal Speed Shop, the Ecotec Lakester was able to hit 189.205, good enough to set a new record. The new Lakester was driven by auto journalist Don Sherman.
To create the Ecotec Lakester GM digitized the original So-Cal Belly Tank car which set a record in 1952. GM designers at their California advanced design studio created the new shape. The composite body wraps around a Top Fuel-style tube chassis powered by a supercharged and intercooled 2.0-liter Ecotec motor that is almost stock and produces between 200 and 300 horsepower depending upon the tune. The chassis features full Formula-style independent suspension with cantilevered shocks, F-16 fighter plane style canopy and billet-aluminum wheels.
The supercharged Ecotec engine is based on the crate motor that is available to enthusiasts through GM Performance Parts.