Galpin Auto Sports Creates 800-hp 1960s Bio-Diesel Impala SS

Instead of throwing out or recycling your cooking oils, why not turn it intofuel? Yes, the very stuff responsible for putting the crunch in tater tots can be used as fuel in an automobile, and rumor has it that the exhaust fumes smell of french fries. Officially, this fuel is considered a type of bio-diesel because it’s made from completely organic materials, and after it’s been filtered and purified can be used to power diesel vehicles. With the price of fuel increasing, bio-diesel converts are rapidly growing in popularity and garnering the attention of the media. As a result, alternative fuel technology research and development into non-food based bio-diesel is on the rise, and like E85 or ethanol fuel, its widespread use is being explored.

Traditionally, vehicles that run on bio-fuel aren’t exactly known for their storming acceleration, performance or looks. The average conversion for bio-diesel tends to be an old Volkswagen Golf diesel, or a mid ’80s Toyota Land Cruiser, and more often then not they’ve got a healthy coat ofrust. But Galpin Auto Sports in Van Nuys, California (the same guys who bring us Pimp My Ride each week) are trying to change the bio-fuel image, proving that going green (and greasy) doesn’t necessarily mean giving up style or speed with an insane car known as the “Bio Rocket”. On Earth Day this year, the popular MTV show pulled the wraps off of a restored and converted 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS that not only runs bio-fuel but generates massive power too, and unlike the New York Public Health Board, it doesn’t care about the presence of trans-fats.

Instead of a big displacement V8, the engine that powers the Bio Rocket is the Duramax diesel that’s usually found under the hood of heavy duty GMC or Chevrolet pickup trucks. In this application, it benefits from a PPE supercharger and other appropriate performance upgrades. Even though this powerplant runs on bio-fuel, it still musters anincredible 800 horsepower and an asphalt buckling 1,400 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to send the Impala rocketing from zero to sixty in 3.5 seconds, which despite what they might say, isn’t particularly socially responsible.

Compared to the normal engine, when the Bio Rocket runs on 100-percent bio-diesel, its carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 78-percent, and there’s no black smoke produced. Although gas stations that stock bio-fuel (which now goes through a much more sophisticated production process than simply distilling deep fat fryer grease) are few and far between, don’t worry; the built in nav system can tell you where you can find a station anywhere in North America. It’ll be useful, when they start popping up.

The “green” theme continues into other parts of the car as well. For example, the seats are made from 100-percent recycled materials like rubber and plastic. Any wood that is used on the car has been reclaimed, and any waste materials in the process of construction have been recycled once more. Even the trunk hasn’t been overlooked; the space between the LCD displays, amplifiers and gigantic subwoofer is lined in earth-friendly biodegradable hemp.

Hmmm… normally when we associate hemp and something old from the sixties the result is hardly socially responsible, so it seems that the Galpin and their Bio Rocket are changing perceptions about more than just alternative fuels.