Hot Rod Bio: 1,500 Horsepower on pump gas - Anthony’s ProCharged 1970 Chevelle

At SEMA 2025 we caught up with Anthony and his 1970 Chevelle that makes a very casual 1,500 horsepower.

On pump gas.

Let that sink in.

This isn’t a dyno queen running exotic fuel just to chase a number. This thing is street driven. It sees highway miles. And yes, it will absolutely haze the tires at 55 if you lean into it.

541 Cubic Inches of Boosted Big Block

Under the hood sits a 541 cubic inch big block built by Hutchinson Racing Engines out of Sacramento.

It’s fuel injected, ProCharged, and making 1,500 horsepower at 20 pounds of boost. On pump gas.

Big cam. Big blower. Big power.

It’s one of those engine bays that looks serious before it even starts. And once it fires up, there’s no question this thing means business.

From Six Cylinder Grocery Getter to Full Custom Monster

What makes it even better is where it started.

This Chevelle was originally a six cylinder car, owned by the previous owner’s grandmother since new. Anthony picked it up and stripped it down to bare metal.

The car was sandblasted and rebuilt from the ground up.

Most of the sheet metal was solid. A few rust issues in the quarters had to be addressed, and one side had some damage, but overall it was a clean foundation to start with.

Now it sits on a Roadster Shop chassis, which completely changes how a 1970 Chevelle drives.

Modern Drivetrain and Real Brakes

Backing the big block is a 6L80 automatic transmission.

Out back is a narrowed Ford 9 inch rear end. Massive Baer 14 inch disc brakes live at all four corners. With 1,500 horsepower on tap, it has to stop as well as it goes.

Anthony describes it as being planted. No sway. No drama. Just grip.

Until you stab the throttle.

At that point, the tires are the only thing giving up.

Built to Drive, Not Just Sit

This isn’t a trailer car.

Anthony’s driven it. Hard.

At highway speeds, you can roll into the throttle and instantly lose traction. It keeps you awake, that’s for sure.

The build took about three years, and it’s been out and about for over a year now. It’s seen major shows including Pomona, Sacramento Autorama, Goodguys Pleasanton, and Hot August Nights.

It’s even taken home event wins.

Modern Interior with Classic Vibes

Inside, MJ Interiors out of Manteca handled the custom work.

The front seats started as 2016 Camaro units, but the headrests were reshaped to keep the classic Chevelle profile. It’s subtle touches like that that make the difference.

Modern comfort. Classic look.

The interior blends race car attitude with analog feel. It doesn’t try to turn the Chevelle into something it’s not. It just refines it.

The Right Foundation

A car making this kind of power needs the right parts everywhere.

Roadster Shop chassis.
Modern overdrive transmission.
Serious brakes.
And a clean, reliable accessory drive system under the hood to keep everything turning the way it should.

It’s the kind of build that stops you in your tracks at SEMA. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s real.

Big power.
Pump gas.
Street driven.

And yes, when Anthony fired it up on the show floor, it lived up to every bit of that 1,500 horsepower reputation.

If you want to see the full walkaround and hear it for yourself, check out the complete Hot Rod Bio video from SEMA 2025.