Davison hotrod shop, dealership team up for custom Camaro

The Fugitive custom Camaro currently parked in the showroom at Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison. DAVISON — Stan Boyd, owner of Engineered Victories Inc. in Davison Township, had an idea to build a performance package for the 2010 Camaro SS, he just needed to find a dealership who wanted to sell it.

Enter Hank Graff Chevrolet, 800 S. State Rd., Davison.

Boyd, a former NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series competition driver, from 1997- 2005, who opened a hot rod shop in Davison Township in 2006, said he has seen custom packages like the Ford Saleen Mustang for years and wondered what he could come up with at his shop for the 2010 Camaro.

“We put a supercharger in it,” said Boyd. “The Saleen’s mostly have superchargers so we wanted to compete with that.”

He said he wanted the drivability of the stock model and the power of a hot rod. To achieve this, EVI put a number of modifications into the Camaro: a Magnuson Supercharger; American Racing Headers; modified 50-lb. Injectors; a Roto-Fab Cold Air Kit; and an EVI Dyno Tune.

A peek at the engine of The Fugitive with 564 hp, generating 584 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels. Boyd said he added Brembo brakes, like those he used in NASCAR, and drilled slots in the rotors like an after-market brake system using a CNC machine program.

In the end the car was endowed with 564 hp and 584 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels. He said the car is faster and more powerful than a Corvette Z06 and when topped off with a custom paint job, matte black hood and a graphics package, the vehicle is any car enthusiast’s dream.

“I spent nine years in NASCAR dealing with high performance cars — that’s what I did my whole life,” said Boyd. “I built my own engines and raced at the highest level in the world.”

Tim Burnett, new car sales manager at Hank Graff Chevrolet, said Boyd approached the dealership with his idea around the time a lot of hype had been generated around the 2010 Camaro when it was featured in the Transformers movie.

“The way they unveiled it, this idea almost got lost in the shuffle,” he said.

Graff finally got back to Boyd and his proposal and saw the idea as something which had potential.

“We’re more of a conservative dealer and this was a radical idea,” said Burnett. “We sat and had several conversations with Stan and heard his game plan. He’s as reputable and as good as they come.

“It grew from there. (Boyd) pitched us on the potential ... what it could be. We were throwing ideas around and realized there is a market out there for gearhead guys who love muscle cars.”

Boyd said one of the salesmen at Hank Graff came up with a name, “The Fugitive” and EVI went ahead with production of two cars.

Burnett said within 30 minutes of having the first one on the sales floor, the $50,000 automobile sold. The second is still in the showroom, but both Boyd and Burnett said they believe the car will sell by spring and that more people are going to want the custom Camaro.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if in the spring we’re selling at least two a month,” said Burnett, who admits winter isn’t the greatest time of year to sell a hot rod like “The Fugitive.”

The car is getting attention, however. Since advertising it on the dealership website, he said there have been inquiries from as far away as New York and South Carolina and one interested party from Washington state stopped by and looked at the car, said Burnett.

He said the owner of the first car has also reported back his satisfaction with the Camaro.

“The buyer was unbelievably happy,” said Burnett. “There’s been a lot of walk-in traffic generated by this car. It is the ultimate muscle car.”

Boyd, who grew up in Holly and now lives in Davison, said he is pleased with the response the car is getting and is ready to build more.

His shop, located at Irish and Atherton roads, does not only custom work and hot rods, but is also open for general repairs. He is also opening another shop in Swartz Creek.

As for his venture into building a custom car package for Hank Graff Chevrolet, Boyd said he’s enjoyed the partnership.

“This is my first time working with a dealership,” he said. “It’s worked out good so far.”

For more about Engineered Victories or to see video about how “The Fugitive” was built, go to www.engineeredvictories. com. More about the car can also be seen at www.hankgraff davison.com/the-fugitive.htm.

Burnett can be reached at 810-653-4111 for more information about the car.