Zahn In 60 Seconds

Actor Steve Zahn’s Roadrunner Helps Erase a Chevette Nightmare.

For Steve Zahn, that nightmare was a high school reality. Braving the elements of his home state of Minnesota, the amazingly talented actor of now 40 feature films like Sahara, Joy Ride, National Security, That Thing You Do and Saving Silverman, once piloted a Chevette as daily transportation. He recalls hating driving that car to school and having to pass those lucky guys with the cool musclecars. It was an embarrassment he hoped to eventually correct, and he has.

“I wasn’t one of those guys that had the cool ride, the Monte Carlo or the Mustang,” states Zahn. “I had a Chevette. You know there’s just no way to accessorize a Chevette. I used to hate walking through the parking lot and seeing all those great cars. But I always knew I’d have my day.”

Today, Steve Zahn is an incredibly cool guy with a really cool musclecar. Zahn’s first step to personal vehicular redemption came after filming That Thing You Do. A period movie set in 1964, shortly after the movie shoot ended, Zahn spotted a 1964 Chevelle SS with a 327cid engine and four-speed for sale. He picked it up and enjoyed the car driving it around his hometown of Lexington, KY. After a while, however, it became time to either restore the classic Chevy or move on.

“I just looked it over and as much as I liked it, I still wanted something different,” stated Zahn. “Having leafed through classified car ad magazines over the years, the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner just jumped out at me. That was the car I wanted parked in my garage.”

Zahn sold the Chevelle in 2002 with the intention of finding a Roadrunner as soon as possible. While filming in LA, his director mentioned that the owner of Picture Car Warehouse, Ted Moser, had a lot of interesting musclecars, when he arrived on the lot.

Zahn inquired about a ’70 Roadrunner. Moser had one. After a short negotiation, Zahn became the owner of a Vitamin C orange 383cid Plymouth Roadrunner. “It was my revenge for all those years of having to drive that Chevette back in high school,” states Zahn. “I plan to make this my everyday car – taking my kids to school and driving around town. It’s the car I’ve been looking for. My ultimate musclecar, and now its all mine.”

Congratulations, Steve. The nightmare has been finally put to rest. The Chevette is dead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The interior sports all the comforts of, well a 1970 Plymouth with the simple addition of the Vintage Air conditioning system. Not a bad upgrade and one that we recommend if you have black vinyl like most cars of this era.

Bob Jennings Dyno Service did a recent tune up on the Roadrunner and then made a dyno pull. The little 383cid engine put down over 300 horsepower to the rear tires.

About the author

PPN Editor

Power & Performance News is the source for news, tech and products that help you get more performance from your vehicle. If powertrain performance projects and hardcore technical content are your interest, Power & Performance News is the publication designed for you. Our acclaimed editorial staff covers all aspects of engine and driveline upgrades with a mission of presenting information that is both interesting and achievable for the “average car guy”.
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