STOP PRESS!!!!! Baz set a NPB at the Test n Tune at SCR early April 2007 - a fab 12.6 @ 108mph!

Barry is one of the founder members’ of Riverside. He has appeared on the TV and has been featured in a number of magazines. It all started in 1977 when he bought a MkII Cortina and was soon smitten by the rodding scene. Then in 1982 he went out a bought his first Pop, well it was a shell and chassis to be precise. His mom remembers his exact words which were “I’ve just bought a car mom , can I keep it in your carport for a couple of months please?” Three years later it was worthy of the road and to say it was his first project and he knew nothing about engineering he made a pretty good job of it. All to soon (11 years later) Barry got fed up, and after 4 colour changes he decided that it was time to build another car.

It was at the Hot Rod Drags that he noticed a Pop for sale. As co-incidences go it turned out that the Pop belonged to an ex-member of Street Prowlers a long disbanded car club to which Barry used to belong. So in October 1993 he sold Pop1 and bought Pop 2 which again consisted of a rolling chassis, 327ci Chevy engine and in his own words “an excellent body”.

With true dedication to his car Barry had put all the pieces together and had the car on the road by March the following year. Some of the modifications to the car are :- Manley stainless steel valves, 270° Cam shaft, anti pump lifters, Cloys timing gears, Delco distributor, Z28 intake manifold, 600 Holly, 2 speed power glide with a TCI pro super kit and a 2 bolt Chevy axle.

It was first painted Aqua Marine Blue but now shines in Amaranth Pearl (a lovely purple). Barry also boasts that he built a car to be used not just to be admired. The latest modification came in July, after his monumental 40th birthday, where he now proudly displays his personal number plates due to the fact that he ‘borrowed’ the others from Clive in the first place. I am left wondering what will happen next, will it be a new paint job? A new interior? New car? Who knows? Watch this space……..

Many thanks from Barry go to Paul, Chisel and Alan for all their help. David and Sian for keeping out of his way and Mandy for her sympathy and never ending supply of paracetamol for his many hangovers.