Homegrown, triple-engine truck has a shot at Hot Wheels fame
The Global Hot Wheels Legends Tour rolled into Detroit Saturday morning, and local hot-rod builder Jim Noble rolled home later that day with a trophy for best in show. He, and his home-built, triple-engine truck, also gained entry into the Legend Tour finals, from which Mattel will choose one vehicle to make into a Hot Wheels diecast collectible.
Noble spent 15 years constructing the “666,” powered by three Chevrolet six-cylinder inline engines, all of which he modified for a total output of 550 or so horsepower. Noble’s build was the subject of an in-depth Hagerty “Homegrown” profile last November.
“Introduced in 1929 as the ‘six for the price of a four,’ Chevy’s ‘Stovebolt’ six had a long and fruitful life. After engineers perfected its combustion process, it proudly wore a Blue Flame ID label celebrating what shot out the exhaust ports,” Hagerty’s Don Sherman wrote. The Blue Flame, as Chevrolet aficionados will know, was the engine that powered the first Corvette in 1953.
“666” started life as a 1954 Chevrolet pickup that was powered by one Stovebolt six-cylinder. “I chopped six inches out of the top and four inches from the cab’s bottom to help the engines dominate my custom’s presentation,” said Noble.
Noble will find out after the grand finale event this November whether or not his truck becomes a 1/64th-scale Hot Wheels model.
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Would be interesting to see how the 3 engines are tied in to the transmssion.
Check the link in the article for details. He’s used sprockets and motorcycle chain to link the fly wheels together with the flex plate for the 700 R4. Watch the debate in the comments, whether the motorcycle chain is strong enough to handle the torque. I say yes it’s strong enough as it’s only caring engine torque with no gear reduction. Similar to a car with a transaxle such as a C-5 Corvette. the propeller shaft can be very lightweight as it only carry’s engine torque. He’s also synchronize the engines so the whole array fires every 40 crankshaft degrees. I would love to hear this thing run balls out!
I’m with you on this and also would love to hear it
Pretty cool car.