Ryan Martin has become one of the most recognizable faces in modern drag racing. His bright red fifth-gen Fireball Camaro made him a household name on the show Street Outlaws, but beyond the television spotlight, his garage houses some of the most interesting blends of old-school styling and modern LS and LT power. Two cars in particular stand out as favorites: a ’69 Camaro reimagined as a small-tire, 2,000-horsepower twin-turbo monster, and a ’70 Chevelle built to devour long stretches of highway while still running deep into the fives in the eighth at the dragstrip.

Together, these two Chevrolets highlight Martin’s philosophy as a builder and racer. They balance uncompromising performance with real-world usability, all while keeping the timeless lines that make these classics irresistible.

Building a Small-Tire Killer: The ’69 Camaro

When Street Outlaws introduced a small-tire class, Martin needed a car quickly. His existing fleet was built for big-tire competition, and none of them fit the new format. The search ended with a friend’s ’69 Camaro sitting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The body was straight, the car was clean, and it already had a big-block Chevy with a nitrous plate system backed by a Powerglide.

It wasn’t the ideal combination, but it gave Martin a platform to compete immediately. He tweaked the nitrous setup, added interior pieces, and raced the car through a full season on a true 28×10.5 small tire. Despite being a stopgap build, the ’69 Camaro finished the season strong and proved its worth as a competitive package.

But Martin has always been a fuel-injected LS guy at heart. The big-block setup, while effective, wasn’t his long-term vision for the car. Once the season wrapped, the Rat was pulled, and Martin called up Late Model Engines to create something more in line with his style.

The result was a 440-cubic-inch LS Next build. The aluminum Dart block was topped with LME’s proprietary canted-valve billet cylinder heads and a matching billet intake. A low-lash solid roller camshaft paired with Jesel rocker arms provided valvetrain precision, while a set of Precision 76mm turbochargers supplied the boost. The package doubled the Camaro’s output, jumping from roughly 1,100 horsepower with the nitrous big-block to nearly 2,000 horsepower at the rear tires with the twin-turbo LS.

Supporting components were chosen carefully. A TH400 transmission with a Gear Vendors overdrive ensured both track performance and highway drivability. Power went through a Quick Performance 9-inch rear end, while Weld wheels wrapped in Hoosier 28×10.50 drag radials provided traction. A Smith Racecraft tubular front subframe shaved about 200 pounds off the nose, improving weight distribution and response.

Inside, Martin wanted the Camaro to retain a full interior. When he bought the car, it was stripped bare, but he added rear seats, a factory-style console, and integrated his FuelTech system in a way that looked clean and purposeful. His vision was simple: A car he could cruise with his family, yet still line up and compete with on the street or strip.

Testing has already proven the Camaro’s potential. On nitrous, with the original big-block, it went 5.30s in the eighth-mile at around 135 mph. With the LS swap and turbos, Martin has been 5.20 at 149 mph, with his ultimate goal being consistent 4.90s. Considering the car’s weight savings, horsepower potential, and tuning headroom, that target is well within reach.

Street Muscle Refined: ’70 Chevelle

If the Camaro represents Martin’s sharp-edged, small-tire weapon, the 1970 Chevelle embodies his vision of a true street car that doesn’t compromise on performance. Built for the Street Outlaws: End Game series, this car underwent a full frame-off transformation to become one of the most versatile vehicles in his stable.

At its heart is a modern 416ci LT-based engine, designed as a copy of the LT4 platform. LME CNC-ported LT4 heads sit atop the block, managed by a hydraulic roller camshaft. An Edelbrock TVS2650 supercharger replaces the stock LT4 blower, providing immense airflow and instant torque. ATI supplied the balancer and pulley system to keep everything spinning reliably at high RPM.

Initially, the Chevelle ran a 10-speed automatic. The transmission excelled on long highway cruises, exactly what Martin envisioned for the car when planning to drive it 1,200 miles from Oklahoma to Las Vegas, race it, and drive it home. But the 10-speed’s extremely low first gear proved problematic for racing, lighting the tires at launch. Its constant torque management also left Martin dissatisfied with its responsiveness.

The solution was a 4L80 four-speed automatic from Rossler. The swap immediately paid off. Without changing the tune or setup, the Chevelle dropped from running 5.90s to 5.50s in the eighth-mile, a massive improvement that came solely from transmission choice. The four-speed gave Martin the crisp, clutch-on-clutch shifts he wanted, while still maintaining highway manners.

The chassis work on the Chevelle was equally extensive. The stock C-channel frame was fully boxed using a road-race-inspired kit. The car was mini-tubbed for tire clearance, and a custom transmission tunnel was fabricated to fit the larger modern gearboxes while still allowing a stock-style console. Despite the upgrades, the Chevelle remains a stock-frame car, retaining much of its original identity.

For Martin, this balance is what makes the Chevelle special. He considers it one of his most streetable cars, capable of comfortably driving several hundred miles without issue. Yet with over 1,200 horsepower on tap, it is still more than capable of winning races.

Contrasting Philosophies, Shared Passion

On paper, the Camaro and Chevelle seem to live in separate worlds. The Camaro is a small-tire specialist, a car built to push into the 4-second zone in the eighth-mile while still looking like a classic street machine. It prioritizes power-to-weight and precision, making it an apex predator in street racing environments.

The Chevelle, meanwhile, is a heavyweight designed for endurance. Its LT-based, supercharged setup delivers enormous torque across the rev range, while its chassis modifications make it as reliable for long hauls as it is on race night. Where the Camaro chases ETs, the Chevelle chases miles.

Yet at their core, both cars reflect the same philosophy. Martin insists on blending modern LS and LT technology with classic Chevy styling, refusing to sacrifice usability for outright numbers. Whether it’s adding a full interior to the Camaro or making sure the Chevelle can still cruise comfortably, both builds embody the dual identity of street car and race car.

The Timeless Appeal of Classic Chevrolet

Martin admits that he once considered himself strictly a late-model guy, focused on the latest platforms and technology. But after spending time with the ’69 Camaro and ’70 Chevelle, he acknowledges the undeniable pull of their classic lines. “You just can’t get away from how good they look,” he said. “They’re attention-getters regardless.”

That statement captures the essence of why these cars continue to resonate. More than 50 years after they were built, the Camaro and Chevelle remain among the most recognizable shapes in automotive history. By infusing them with modern power and engineering, Martin has ensured that their appeal is alive, relevant, and brutally fast.

Both cars stand as proof that muscle car heritage can thrive in the modern age. The Camaro and Chevelle may have been born in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but in Ryan Martin’s hands, they are as cutting-edge as anything on the street today.