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Clint Brunner Collection

In the April edition of The Motor Market, I introduced readers to Clint Brunner and showed a portion of the car collection that Clint and his family have gathered. Clint became interested in cars through his father, and Clint’s sons are learning the hobby in much the same way. Clint thoroughly enjoys working on his cars himself and, for him, an ideal weekend is spent tinkering on his cars. Commonly, at least one of his sons is right there working on the car with him. In visiting with Clint and the boys, it’s readily apparent that they all enjoy the hobby.

We selected this month’s cover car, a 2006 Ford GT, based on its appeal to all generations. Young and old alike are drawn to the performance styling of this car. When we first visited about the GT, I mistakenly referred to it as a GT 40, but Clint quickly educated me on the differences. The Ford GT, only produced in 2005 and 2006, is built in homage to the GT 40’s that totally dominated the Le Mans racing scene from 1966 through 1969. GT 40’s swept first, second, and third places in the 1966 race, and also won the race in 1967, 8, & 9. “GT 40” refers to the overall height of 40 inches. Ford GT’s start life at 43.8 inches tall, but Clint had this one lowered one inch. Standing next to the car, it’s amazing just how low the overall height of the car is! The body is primarily aluminum with magnesium and carbon fiber used extensively in the construction.

The GT is a true American supercar! Top speed “stock” is rated at 212 mph, but this one is far from stock. GT’s were born with a mid-engine 5.4L DOHC supercharged V8 rated at 550 horsepower coupled to a 6-speed transmission. The engine has been upgraded with a 4.0L Whipple Blower, aftermarket exhaust, and several other assorted goodies. There’s some fine tuning yet to be done, but Clint’s GT was recently dyno’d at 754 RWHP! The interior is all business, featuring Sparco carbon fiber and leather racing seats, aluminum trim, and air conditioning.

Clint buys his cars to enjoy, and not as investments, but he still tries to “buy smart”. Since buying the GT in 2013, these have appreciated quickly compared to many collector/performance cars and are now valued at roughly twice new value.
To give Clint’s wife, Erin, a unique performance car to drive, a 2009 “Plum Crazy” Dodge Challenger was created. I say “created” since these weren’t offered as a convertible, or in the 1970 version of the Plum Crazy color. A black SRT Challenger was purchased new and sent to “Mr. Norm’s” in Florida for the convertible conversion, Plum Crazy paint, and several performance upgrades. (Long-term Mopar fans will recall Mr. Norm’s as a top Mopar performance outlet in the country in years past.) Modifications include a Kenne Bell 2.8L supercharger on the 6.1L Hemi engine, custom exhaust, lowering, and extensive under body bracing. The package produces 520 RWHP now. The finished product was unveiled at the 2009 Mopar Nationals and was featured as the cover car in the August, 2010 Mopar Muscle Magazine. Now, the Challenger
gets driven regularly on nice
summer days.

Even as a Chevy guy, Clint’s 1967 Plymouth GTX immediately had my attention the first time I saw it at a cruise night. This car looks and sounds just plain mean! Clint’s sons found the GTX on EBay and the car was originally bought for use as a daily driver. The car had a fresh 440 in it, but wasn’t quite as powerful as Clint wanted. (Are you seeing a trend here?)

Tim Banning at “For Hemis Only” (FHO) specializes in Mopar Hemis, and that’s who Clint contacted to build a serious engine for the GTX. Clint wanted as much power as practical for street use with a carbureted Hemi on pump gas. The result is a 572ci Hemi with 813hp at the flywheel and 800 ft/lbs of torque. The engine features an Indy Maxx block and Stage V Engineering heads, all in aluminum. A custom grind Comp Cams solid roller cam, two 770 Holleys atop an aluminum cross-ram intake, TTI Headers, and electric cut-outs all contribute to the power. All that power runs through an 833 Hemi 4-speed transmission used in conjunction with a Dana 60 rear end and 3.73 gears. M/T 12.5 inch wide ET Street Slicks provide the traction.

The body is finished in satin “F3 Light Green Metallic” paint providing a bit of a sleeper look, which Clint especially likes. Tires all around are mounted on 15-inch steel wheels with Dog Dish hubcaps continuing the sleeper theme. I’m not sure, but I don’t think many will be fooled by the sleeper look on this one!

I wrote earlier of cars that appeal to all age brackets, and Clint’s “Continuation Series” Cobra is one of those cars. While today’s Cobra kit cars are fiberglass, Clint had been looking for an Aluminum bodied Cobra when he found this one in Florida in 2014. This CSX4000 Series Cobra is an authentic Shelby Cobra, titled as a 1966, but manufactured in 2001. It features an aluminum body, doors, and hood in “Guardsman Blue and Wimbledon White” paint. Power is from a Carroll Shelby aluminum 427 side oiler block with aluminum heads fueled by an 850 Holley carb. The engine and 4-speed top loader transmission package was assembled to the car by All Pro Cars of Muncy, PA. Other features that quickly draw your attention to the Cobra include Halibrand knock-off wheels, headers with side exhaust, and a true cold air scoop on the hood. At a mere 2,200lbs, and with well over 400hp, this is a serious performance machine!

Fresh out of the shop at Muscle Car Creations in Tea, SD, is the Brunners’ 1965 Ford F100 pickup. The truck has been in Erin’s family since nearly new and was a gift from her father to Clint. Rod and Greg at MCC just completed a yearlong rotisserie restoration on the truck. The finished “Rangoon Red and Wimbledon White” truck looks brand new. Well, much better than new, actually. The original 352 block is retained but, as Clint is inclined to do, the engine has “a few performance modifications”. Cressman Racing Engines built the engine which now, with a 428 crankshaft and heads, boasts 410ci. A Crower Cam, and a 390 intake with a Holley Carb add to the performance. Clint wanted to keep the under hood look fairly original, so the stock oil bath air cleaner shell is retained but it has been converted to a modern style filter element; a nifty touch. The stock 3-speed transmission is used and traction-lok has been added to the rear end. The truck was built as “radio delete”, which has been retained, but power steering has been added for easier driving. The end result is a beautiful and functional truck with a long family heritage.

I’ve summarized for you the varied cars in Clint Brunner’s collection. Each vehicle is unique in its own way, and each fills a niche for the family. For those concerned that younger folks may not continue on as enthusiasts in the car hobby, the Brunner family would seem to dispel that concern. Clint and his sons are regulars at summer cruise events; next time you see them at an event, look over the car, strike up a conversation, and learn more. You’ll be glad you did. TMM

May 2016

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