At Petty’s Garage work has commenced building the grand prize for the 2018 MAHLE “Drive with the Original” Technician Promotion – a custom, resto-mod 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS. The one-of-a-kind vehicle will be finished and tested in time to be awarded to the winner by MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. at the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, taking place from October 30 to November 1, 2018.
“Last year’s MAHLE Mustang was a huge hit at AAPEX, and we wanted to do something that would surpass even that,” said Jon Douglas, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “The MAHLE Camaro RS will be a real showcase for MAHLE Original gaskets, filters and other MAHLE parts. One lucky technician is going to be very happy!”
The “Drive with the Original” promotion runs to October 1, 2018. Four finalists will be randomly selected from all entries to receive a trip for two to AAPEX in Las Vegas. The “Original,” Richard Petty, will be present when the finalists each select a key from The King’s signature Charlie One Horse hat – one of which will start the grand prize MAHLE Camaro RS from Petty’s Garage.
Petty’s Garage found the rare Camaro with Rally Sport option sitting in a field in Martinsville, Va., less than a hundred miles from the company's Level Cross, N.C. headquarters. They will replace the original 327 cubic-inch engine with a high performance LS7 427 cubic-inch motor with all MAHLE components, including MAHLE pistons and rings, MAHLE Original gaskets and filters and Clevite bearings. The engine, expected to put out 625 horsepower, will be mated to a Tremec T5 5-speed transmission and deliver the power to the road through a narrowed rear axle housing with 12-bolt differential.
The chassis will ride on a Ridetech suspension, equipped with Forgeline 20-inch, 3-piece forged wheels, shod with Continental ExtremeContact Sport Tires. Wilwood 6-piston front and 4-piston rear disc brakes will provide impressive stopping power.
Finishing off the package, the interior will feature Dakota Digital upgraded digital gauges that fit the original dash, complimented with black leather bucket seats with MAHLE blue stitching with the Petty’s Garage and MAHLE logos embroidered into the seatbacks and headrests.
The exterior of the Petty’s Garage MAHLE Camaro will feature custom bodywork, including flush-mounted windows with removed trim and drip rails; trimmed and fitted front and rear bumpers; and a custom carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler. The package will be finished off with custom BASF R-M Finish MAHLE blue paint with painted white graphics.
In addition to the grand prize, over 1,000 additional instant prizes will be awarded, including Richard Petty Driving Experiences, autographed Richard Petty signature Charlie One Horse cowboy hats and autographed #43 die-cast model cars.
Information on entering the “Drive With The Original” Promotion is available on specially marked MAHLE Original gasket boxes. Complete information about the “Drive with the Original” promotion, including official rules, terms and conditions, can be found at www.drivewiththeoriginal.com.
For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket and its brands, visit www.mahle-aftermarket.com or contact your local sales representative.
About MAHLE MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry as well as a pioneer for the mobility of the future. The group’s product portfolio addresses all the crucial issues relating to the powertrain and air conditioning technology—both for drives with combustion engines and for e-mobility. In 2017, the group generated sales of approximately EUR 12.8 billion with around 78,000 employees and is represented in more than 30 countries with 170 production locations.About MAHLE Aftermarket MAHLE Aftermarket, the business unit specializing in spare parts, uses the expertise from the series production of original equipment in its automotive aftermarket product range. The business unit supplies trade, workshop, and engine repair partners with products in original equipment quality; they range from engine parts and filters to engine peripheral components and engine cooling components. The product portfolio is supplemented by workshop equipment developed by the MAHLE Service Solutions division as well as comprehensive services, and customized training programs. The full extent of this expertise is found in the brands MAHLE ORIGINAL, BEHR, CLEVITE, IZUMI, KNECHT FILTER and METAL LEVE. MAHLE Aftermarket is represented with around 1,600 employees at 25 locations and other sales offices worldwide, including numerous logistics centers and regional offices. In 2017, the business unit achieved a global sales volume of EUR 956 million.
About MAHLE Service Solutions MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., Service Solutions division specializes in the development, manufacturing and distribution of automotive services, tools and maintenance equipment, including vehicle diagnostics, air conditioning service, fluid exchange and nitrogen tire inflation systems. Formerly known as RTI Technologies, MAHLE Service Solutions continues its legacy of building shop equipment for the most stringent OEM and aftermarket needs. Along with this expertise, MAHLE Service Solutions combines the know-how of MAHLE Behr with automotive thermal management and MAHLE Powertrain with automotive test systems. Each of these three entities have more than 25 years of R&D and technology deployment experience providing advanced solutions for OE manufacturers.
In addition to the high-quality products offered through its Service Solutions division, MAHLE Aftermarket provides a comprehensive and well-developed service network to ensure quick and professional technical support and training for repair shops. For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket Service Solutions, visit www.servicesolutions.mahle.com.
About Petty's Garage In June 2008 Petty's Garage, a Level Cross, N.C.-based company, was born to begin restorations on racecar chassis from owner Richard Petty's private collection. Petty's Garage is currently bringing "The King's" winning tradition to a wide variety of high-performance automobiles from production-based Richard Petty Signature Series to custom builds and restorations. Petty's Garage is a high performance speed shop focused on spectacular performance automobiles.
