Matt Alcala's '69 Camaro qualifies for the 2013 OPTIMA® Ultimate Street Car Invitational

Matt-Alcala-1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-OUSCI-2013_171 (1)
Ultimate Streetcar
Tags:

The first qualifying event for the 2013 OPTIMA® Ultimate Street Car Invitational took place last weekend at the fourth annual Run To the Coast event in Irvine, California. Once the dust settled, Matt Alcala and his 1969 Chevy Camaro emerged with the first invitation of the year for the 2013 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, joining defending champion, Mark Stielow and his 1967 Camaro.

Alcala's car is a perfect example of why anyone interested in competing in the OUSCI should really find a way to run a qualifying event, as his car has already been featured at the SEMA Show, but was not selected by the OUSCI Race Directors. Alcala's Camaro is based around a Detroit Speed Engineering subframe and Quadra-link suspension, which is a great framework for any Pro-Touring ride, but special detail has been paid to every aspect of his build.

Power comes from a modern, 454 cubic-inch LS7, built by RPM Motors in Santa Clarita, California. The powerplant generates 700 horsepower, which is transferred by a T56 Magnum, six-speed transmission into a Speedway Engineering nine-inch floater rearend. Forgeline wheels are halted by Wilwood Disc Brakes. The whole project came together at Best of Show Coachworks, in Escondido, California.

The car was finished and Matt began sorting it out in early-2010, in preparation for a trip to the SEMA Show that year. Unfortunately, in August of that year, an inattentive driver ran through a redlight and into a $60,000 repair bill. Best of Show wailed on the car for the next nine weeks, thrashing to get it ready for SEMA. The hard work paid off, as Matt's Camaro picked up a GM Design award at SEMA that year.

As impressive as his car was, it didn't catch the eye of the OUSCI race directors, who had to comb through a field of thousands of top-tier show vehicles. Matt then proceeded to put more than 15,000 miles on the car, participating in more than 20 regional events. Finally, at the 2013 American Street Car Series Run To The Coast event, Matt's car got the nod.

A great combination of power, style and execution, Alcala's ride will be a great addition to the 2013 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational and we look forward to seeing it at SEMA and then up in Pahrump! Be sure to check out the preview for the 2012 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, presented by Royal Purple and KN here and be sure to watch it on SPEED on March 10th at 11AM Eastern.