By SEMA News Editors
SEMA has announced that the SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award has been presented to Rancho Santa Margarita, California, custom car builders Blazin Rods for their '70 Chevrolet Chevelle.
The Chevelle--dubbed "Doughboy"--is powered by a twin-turbo Chevy-based big block delivering more than 2,800 hp and built utilizing multiple 3D-based design and printing techniques. Designed with the aesthetics of a GT Cup car, the car was designed, manufactured and assembled in-house using 35 custom CNC and 3D-printed parts, including its bespoke metal widebody.
"Our goal with Doughboy was to create a vehicle that not only turns heads but offers a driving experience unlike any other," said Riccardo Salatino, lead builder of Blazin Rodz. "We've pushed the boundaries in every aspect of this build, from the design to the engineering, and we're excited to show the world what we're capable of."
"It's absolutely exhilarating that just a couple of guys from a brand-new shop could build a car in such a short time that goes above and beyond, and get noticed," said Blazin Rodz Lead Fabricator Spencer Tanner. "Utilizing all of the technology, between printing, machining and CAD modeling, really allowed us to go insane. A lot of the stuff on the car, if it was to be done by hand, would be so time-consuming, and cost-wise, wouldn't make sense. That really allowed us [make] some really unique parts."
The annual SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award honors a featured vehicle at the SEMA Show that demonstrates exceptional engineering throughout the entire vehicle, or an aspect of the vehicle that goes beyond just physical appearance. It also aims to inspire more engineers to enter the automotive aftermarket by highlighting their impact on the automotive specialty-equipment industry and placing a spotlight on the symbiotic relationship between a vehicle's design and engineering.
The Blazin Rodz team accepts the 2024 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle Award for "Doughboy," a '70 Chevrolet Chevelle.
Be sure to see the innovative '70 Chevelle in person at the Dynamat Booth #22693, Central Hall, now through the end of the 2024 SEMA Show.