Earlier this summer, Poteet’s ’69 Ford Torino drove off with the Goodguys 2013 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year honors in Columbus, OH. Sandwiched between the two big wins was a trip to Bonneville in August where he set the fastest speed in the SCTA record books – 437.183 mph in the Poteet & Main streamliner. Through it all Poteet remained humble and grateful, a true Southern gentleman.
Unlike any other Goodguys award, the Tank’s Hot Rod of the Year competition is demanding. The car’s agility, roadworthiness and performance are factored in as well as looks and build quality. All contestants must take a 100-mile drive around Indianapolis as well as blast down a drag strip (Muncie Dragway), including a smoky burnout!
The ’34 project started with a body from Steve’s Auto Restoration in Oregon that was already chopped with reclined windshield posts and a filled insert. Once Lane got his hands on the car, hours were spent moving things around to fine-tune the subtle proportions like the front
fender beads, the pie-cut hood, the relocated upper door hinges, custom filler panels,
hidden fasteners, and much more. The car’s underside is just as impressive as the smooth flowing body. The handmade chassis features a Winters quick-change rear on a ladder bar and transverse leaf rear suspension. For the perfect hot rod rake Lane went with a four-inch dropped front axle with JRI shocks and modified So-Cal brakes up front.
Under the hood is a slick ‘65 Buick, ground smooth, built by Russell Martin using Ross pistons, Hilborn injection and custom headers. Backing it is a Hurst-shifted Richmond transmission.
The interior is also 1960s competition-styled with an NOS Covico steering wheel and rare Greenline gauges. Narrowed seats are from a ’65 Chevy Impala, upholstered in black leather by Dave and Sally Schober. There’s also a roll bar, one-off pedal pads, and a ’64 Galaxie armrest.
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