Building His Drag and Drive Dream Ride – Colt Beck Completes a New Car to Travel Thousands of Miles in 2025, As Well As Competing in The Circuit!
After years of watching and enjoying the racing and car scene, Colt Beck was ready to build a new ride.
But he had to overcome a lot of obstacles, including the car being stolen, but with a lot of drive and some help from friends and sponsors, Colt got it all done in time for the 2024 edition of the Performance and Racing Industry (PRI) show.
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“For years, I had been driving a V8 swap supercharged Ford Ranger race truck,” said Colt. “While it was fast, it wasn’t very comfortable. It was rudimentary, old, and didn’t provide the driving experience I was looking for. I realized that it was time to build a new race car.”
But Colt didn’t just want a different car, he wanted one that has more comfort, a 4-door model for more room, and a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. And it needed a GM powerplant under the hood.
After considering several rides and models, Colt decided to acquire a 2008 Pontiac G8 sedan. “It had everything I was looking for,” Colt said. “I knew this would be the car that would take my racing to the next level.”
But that good feeling was dashed just days later when the car was stolen. “Not only was it taken, but the title was in the car,” said Colt. “When it was recovered, it was wrecked and in no condition to use. I was devastated. The dream that I had worked so hard for now seemed like it was slipping away.”
Luckily, the car was found and returned to Colt, but with no title, and Colt lost some drive. “The car sat behind my shop for six months, a constant reminder of what had been lost,” he said. “But then, something changed. A fan left a comment on one of our videos: ‘This is your dream, don’t let anyone take it away from you.’ Those words struck me hard.”
With the original car returned, but with the damage and no title, Colt wondered how to proceed forward. “I found a shell of the same car in Iowa, with a clean title, and bought it,” said Colt. “We transferred all the parts from the wrecked car to the new shell, effectively making two cars into one, a real ‘Ship of Theseus’ situation.”
With a legal and titled foundation in place, Colt started to consider the possible options for a driveline. “The funds originally meant for the engine and powertrain were used to fix the damage from the theft,” said Colt. “We were in a tight spot. But then, I realized that I wouldn’t get anywhere if I didn’t ask for help.”
So, Colt reached out to companies to see if they could help out, and the first to get on board was Brian Tooley Racing, who offered a camshaft, titanium valve springs, push rods, and other high-quality parts.
“Their support didn’t just provide the parts we needed; it sparked a wave of generosity,” Colt said. This caused other companies to come forward with support and parts help, which allowed the build to move forward.
Starting with the popular 5.3-liter truck-sourced LS engine, Colt supplemented the stock parts with the BTR goodies, and an Eaton M122 supercharger from a Mustang GT500 (using a SWS Motorsports supercharger adapter kit). Twin fuel pumps from Fuelab keep the engine fed, and HP Tuners is used to tweak a truck ECM.
The engine is backed with a 4L60E four-speed overdrive transmission, with a BTE Racing converter in place of the stock one. 3.27 gears are in the rear end.
Colt set a deadline of December 2024 for the completion of the red GM ride, and it was done in time. Since then, the car has gotten over 30,000 street miles added to the odometer, and a few drag and drive events as well, including the recently-completed The Circuit.
“We’ve taken it to some incredible places,” said Colt. “The car has proven to be more than just a race car. It’s a reminder of the hard work, the setbacks, and the triumphs — and it’s now ready for whatever the road brings next.”
“Driving the car isn’t just about the thrill of the road; it’s about connecting with others who share the same passion and helping inspire them to chase their own dreams too.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Colt Beck and Eric White.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com