This expertly built, 10:1-compression motor rocks, pulling strongly up to 5,500 rpm thanks to a Comp Cam with .480 lift, 280-degrees duration an the intake and 230-degrees on the exhaust (at .050), Comp Cams' Pro Magnum 1.7:1 rockers, and an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold. Dominator's 1 7/8-inch roadster headers and full 2 1/2-inch exhaust with HPC coating keeps the aluminum theme going. This is more motor than you'll find in most roadsters, and its sound tells you so.

The roadster blends in with traffic at 80 mph--but runs at 120 mph. Part of its effectiveness on the road should be credited to A-1 Transmission's Bud Beltrama, nearby in Brentwood. Bud and Craig Watts massaged a 700-R4 trans and a Transgo shift kit to work perfectly with the big tires' rollout and a 3.50:1 gear ratio.

Though no time was spared, this car has plenty of consuming details. A smaller diameter driveshaft was utilized, requiring less of a tunnel and saving interior space (plus, the body sits nicely on the framerails). Dominator's custom stainless lines provide much more pedal feel from the Wilwood billet brake setup, and matching fuel lines keep the engine bay clean, dry, and pretty. A Steve Long custom radiator isn't average stuff, and neither are the Jeff Vornhagen-built details.

Kevin's brother machined a 14-inch steering wheel billet to match the wheels and other accessories. To make better use of space under the hood, Jeff also engineered an alternator setup driven directly off the crankshaft (which charges quite well, with only one exception of the slowest street cruising). Another of Kevin's painting clients, Roy Brizio, handled the wiring chores.

For a gut who loves Funny Cars, you'd expect Vornhagen would go with "bigs and littles" on his first hot rod. With 17 x 8 and 18 x 10-inch wheels from Colorado Custom, it looks like Kevin's trips to the IndyCar races are getting into his blood, Michelin Pilot SX tires work with the suspension package to provide a balance of ride and handling (and also helped by this roadster's stretched wheelbase).

The interior may have come last but, from its fantastic result, it certainly wasn't a low priority. San Jose's Rich Santana created the custom seats and used gray Mercedes vinyl and carpet for a sculpted, modern look that matches the paint, wheels, and stance. The VDO gauges, a Lokar shifter, and a Mullins aluminum steering column maintain the latest-and-greatest look.

Where does this car fit into the scene of memorable roadsters? On a scale of "one to five" (where "five" is an Oakland winner and "four" deserves more than a STREET RODDER Top Ten pick), Kevin could afford the time and expense to built a "three." Is it special?

Heck, yes! Vonhagen's impromptu voyage into street rodding reminds us that it's the package of parts and craftsmanship that make the car, not just an engine, suspension, or interior.

So what about Kevin's buddy, Carkuff, the guy whose car inspired this machine? Though the chassis is finished, the unpainted body sits in the corner, and the engine is only a concept at this point. Vornhagen's car has been on the road for eight months, and he's loving every minute of it!

Rich Santana Interiors (San Jose, CA) did a masterful job creating an interior for Vornhagen's roadster. After custom-making the seats (which Kevin claims to be some of the most comfortable he's ever been in) and the console, Rich covered everything with a gray Mercedes vinyl that matches the rod's Porsche Silver paint. The gauges are from VDO, the custom steering wheel from Kevin's brother, Jeff, and the polished aluminum column is from Mullins Steering Gears (Lake Havasu, AZ).

A 355 Chevy (backed to a 700-R4 trans) gives the roadster its zip. Built at S&S Automotive (San Leandro, CA), the V-8 is equipped with all the right performance parts, including TRW 10:1 pistons (with Speed Pro moly rings), a camshaft from Competition Cams, and Brodix Street 1 aluminum heads. The system is topped by an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold and a single 750-cfm Holley carb.

Phil Green and Al Megenity, both of Campbell, California, arrived with their latest creation: a '33 Ford roadster in silver with flames. Power comes by way of a 383 stroker that's topped off with TPI and hooked to a 700-R4 trans. Additional items include Vette front and rear independent suspensions and Pirelli rubber, while the interior from Rich Santana features modified, race-type bucket seating and Auto Meter gauges.