The Underdogs

Most of us like to cheer for the underdog, and deep down some of us want to be the underdog, though we don't all wear it on our sleeves like Ben Ferguson and the crew at C.J.'s Automotive.

Meet the Underdogs Racing Team. These guys and gals pride themselves on accomplishing things others say are impossible - and on beating up the big boys with machines many racers wouldn't give a second look. The Underdog's low buck, low tech 305 powered Chevy Malibu, Twisted-Up, runs high 10 second e.t.'s and has put many a big dog on the trailer.

The heart of Twisted-Up is a 305 roller motor out of an IROC Camaro backed by a Turbo 350 transmission and 3500 stall convertor turning 3.50 gears in a Ford 9" rear. How does a stock 305 turn 10 second quarters? In a word, nitrous, and lots of it, though Ferguson was not willing to disclose the number.

As you might suspect, the team has blown up "A truckload of engines", as described by Danny Whitehurst. A stock small block can only be expected to take so much abuse. Fortunately for the Underdogs, running 305 motors are a dime a dozen when you're in the used car sales and repair business.

The first five years the Malibu was raced it also ran a stock Chevy 7.5" rear end, but after breaking numerous center sections, Ferguson decided to run the tougher 9".

Joining Twisted-Up in the doghouse is Twisted-Up II, a full tube chassis Chevy Vega wagon. The Vega is powered by a 12.5:1 compression 468 big block Chevy breathing through an Offy manifold and 1050 Holley Dominator. The wagon huffs a 150-250 shot of nitrous depending on track conditions. Putting the power to the asphalt is a Powerglide trans, 5000 stall convertor, and 9" rear stuffed with 4.88 gears. Completing the package is a set of Chevy LS6 heads. The Vega has not yet been dialed in, but has still motored the eighth mile in 6 seconds flat.
The Underdogs will soon be adding a blue oval to the family in the form of Anna Johnston's '91 F150. Still under construction, the truck will sport a .030 over 460/C6 combo with a lumpy cam, 750 Holley carb, Elite headers, and 3500 stall convertor. Knowing the Underdogs, I'd also be on the lookout for a big blue bottle.

C.J.'s Automotive has been a Little Creek Road landmark since 1979. The business started as a used car dealership specializing in muscle cars at a time when Detroit was struggling to produce performance machines. But over the years the inventory at C.J.'s started to blend in with the plain vanilla cars at every other lot on the Little Creek strip.

That all changed about five years ago when Ben Ferguson bought the business. An avid muscle car enthusiast, Ferguson had been collecting cars in a warehouse, and on the day the deal was final he moved all 125 of them to his new lot on Little Creek Road.

It should come as no surprise that the child of a family whose family car was a 4-speed '70 Boss Mustang would grow up to be a muscle car fanatic. Add a '69 Judge GTO to the family garage and you really have a recipe for a car crazy kid.

Ferguson originally came to Hampton Roads as the child of an Air Force family. He started turning wrenches at an early age, and is now an ASE Certified Master Tech.

In addition to selling muscle cars in any condition ranging from nice drivers to works in progress, C.J.'s Automotive also provides a full service repair facility, including an in-house body and paint shop.

With several hundred cars on hand, you're likely to find anything from 4-speed Mach 1 Mustangs, to big block Chevelles, first generation Camaros and Firebirds, late model muscle, and everything in between. Even if you're not in the market for a muscle car, the lot is a neat place to kill a few minutes on a Saturday afternoon.

C.J.'s Automotive is a member of the Better Business Bureau, and has been a VIADA (Virginia Independent Auto Dealers Association) member since 1979.