If you’re anything like me (And if so, God help you), you’re pretty excited about the new Regional class that the SCCA is looking to establish for old iron: CAM, or “Classic American Muscle”. You can read more about the proposed rules for 2014 here, but to briefly summarize the class as I understand it based on those rules, it seems very similar to a Street Modified with the restrictions lifted on engine displacement and engine type, along with a relatively high minimum weight of 3000 lbs to keep all of those pesky light-weight vehicles away from our porker muscle cars.

In all seriousness though, that minimum weight may be the first item to be modified as I’m pretty sure that there are Foxbody and GM X-body cars (Among others) that just barely met that requirement as shipped when new. Swap in an engine with more aluminum components than steel, a few hollow suspension parts, and light-weight wheels along with other weight-saving tricks and you may be in trouble for breaking the rules.

Before I get stomped on in the comments for already critiquing a class that doesn’t even officially exist yet, yes, I understand that while it’s not perfect, as with any SCCA class it is a living and breathing entity that can be tweaked and modified over time based on lessons learned this coming season.

Anyway, even with winter still in full stride I’m already thinking about which cars may be deemed a “Class Killer”, as each existing SCCA class seems to have one (Well, according to the guys not driving that particular car at least). To briefly explain, a “Class Killer” is a vehicle that dominates a particular autocross class thanks to an inherent advantage based on how well it performs within the rules of the class.

Realistically, this hypothetical killer would be a vehicle that just barely meets the weight requirement, can accommodate wider than stock wheels and tires (I’m thinking 8.5″ to 9.5” wide, no need for steamrollers), has an engine bay which easily accepts a modern V8, and has a wide variety of suspension and braking upgrades available at reasonable cost. Since this isn’t the Optima Street Car series there isn’t a design portion to worry about, so the vehicle doesn’t have to be a top dollar build with six piston calipers, an LS crate motor, and billet everything, which to me is a real differentiator compared to typical competitions for Pro Touring vehicles.

With the above criteria in mind, I went looking on Craigslist and eBay for ideas. Searching for “Pro Touring” and “Autocross” surprisingly turned up more than just first-gen Camaros. Sure, there was this one with an astronomical $325,000 asking price, but otherwise I found a pretty nice ‘71 Chevelle, a really nice ‘87 Cutlass (Seriously, this one is well-built and worth checking out if you want a G-body that handles), a clean 4.6 swapped Fox (Again, looks to be a good deal if you’re in the market), and a pretty sweet Duster equipped with a new Hemi. I also found an Impala SS  that claimed to be a Pro Touring build, but that can’t be true as no one is crazy enough to autocross a GM B-body …

All nice vehicles, but other than the Mustang they were either a little too expensive and/or too heavy to be that potential Class Killer. Not satisfied with simply stating “Buy a Foxbody Mustang and tear it up” (As true as that may come to be), I continued on to other resources. Racingjunk.com turned up much of the same, although this old SCCA third-gen Camaro  may be a bargain if you’re willing to put a drivetrain in it.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, I turned to Craigslist and found the car. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the undisputed “Class Killer” for CAM: The 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon. More specifically, a Fairmont wagon equipped with a supercharged Ford V8. Click here for the ad

Look, this totally fits the bill: It’s lightweight, can take advantage of the Foxbody aftermarket for suspension, brakes, and wheels without the “5.0” stigma, and easily swallows a V8 as can be seen by the 2.1L Kenne Bell-topped 331. Plus, you can load up the whole family, the dog, a small folding table for lunch, tools, and a spare set of tires with just enough room for you, your giant set of cojones, and a helmet. Pure Win, as the kids say these days.

Sure, there are cars that may be better looking or are easier to find and cheaper to build, but none of that matters, as at the end of the day we all want to see an old wagon hanging its ass out and murdering some cones. Well, at least I do. If one of you readers ends up buying this car, do us all a favor and take it out to an SCCA Solo event, preferably with a Go-Pro strapped to it so we can watch this beast devour the rest of the field before hitting up the local supermarket to buy next week’s groceries. Oh, and keep the roof rack.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS AND THE FULL AD FOR THIS FUTURE SCCA SOLO STAR

Bought car from original owner, original paint/interior. Now tubular k-member with coil overs, 5 lug conversion, DSS 331 with forged rotating assembly,windage tray/main cap support – 1000 miles, Edelbrock performer RPM heads, 8.5 compression, Kenne Bell 2.1 litre blower, 80mm mass air, 44 lb injectors, built AOD transmission with B&M 3000 rpm convertor, sub-frame connectors, 8.8 rear end with 410 posi, Moser axles and disc brakes. Rust free body, all receipts, extras. car will autocross and drag race