For some, a car build is a story of accomplishment; for others, it’s a story of true love. Such is the case for Chris Gibbany of Harrison, Arkansas and her 1978 Camaro named Mean Streak. Not only is Gibbany extremely passionate about her car, she’s also not afraid to prove what it’s got. And to say that she’s fully responsible for all of its progress over the years is an understatement.
Having had a passion for cars from a very young age, Gibbany set her sights on a Camaro as a little girl. But it took more than just a passion to finally acquire her dream car- a 1978 named Mean Streak. It took true dedication.
Growing up, Gibbany and her brother were offered a candy bar a day or the monetary equivalent. “I ALWAYS took the money; my brother always took the candy bar,” Gibbany told us.
So with some pocket change and determination despite the temptation for a sweet treat, Gibbany started saving for her car, putting her hard-earned cash into a savings account. As she got older, Gibbany also collected and recycled aluminum cans and sold her old toys and clothes to put more money aside for her dream car.
In college, Gibbany worked full time and saved any extra money she could, even taking her lunch to school every day while others partook in local fast food in order to stash the extra cash. In 1992, she was able to purchase her first car, a black ’78 LT Camaro with cash. A year later, Mean Streak came into Gibbany’s life as a rough base of a car found two hours away from home in a local classified ad.
As Gibbany told us, the car that would become Mean Streak (an ode to one of Gibbany’s favorite AC/DC songs) was beyond rough around the edges. Equipped with a new blue paint job (one that turned out to “bleed” upon washing, the Camaro had an extremely torn up interior and rode atop “big old truck tires.” Despite all the car’s downfalls, Gibbany liked the paint color and wanted another ’78, so she purchased the car for $1800.
After putting in a new interior and equipping the Camaro with new tires, Gibbany drove the car throughout college, racing it with its factory 350ci engine between the fenders on the weekends. It wasn’t until 10 years ago, however, that the car truly got its mean streak.
After marrying her husband Gabe, Gibbany moved forward with building her car more, equipping it with a 383ci engine, Dart 230cc aluminum heads, a Victor Jr. intake, 850 Demon carburetor, 306 flat tappet COMP Cams camshaft, 3-inch exhaust fitted with Flowmaster mufflers, and Hooker headers. The car also features a TH350 transmission, B&M Hole Shot 3000 converter, lightweight aluminum driveshaft, Lakewood lift bars, and an 8.5-inch/ 10-bolt rearend with 4.10 Richmond gears. This combination has gifted the Camaro with 500hp.
In 2005, Gibbany began working at a local body shop where she had her car painted its original color. Since then, she’s maintained the car, raced it and proven that female gearheads truly have a place in the automotive world.
Although Gibbany doesn’t race the car anymore due to finances, she does still drive the car on occasion. But more inspiring than the car’s continuation is the way Gibbany continues to work to keep her passion alive.
“Building a car with hardly NO budget leaves something to be desired, but at the same time no one would ever guess that we are ‘poor’,” Gibbany told us. “We just make good decisions like having no kids, no television, no microwave, etc. and are able to have the things we really want.”
She continued, “I hope my story can inspire others who have lived or are living similar to me. I have not had ONE thing given to me…..I have my priorities straight. Cars and bikes are what mattered to me as a kid and they still are the only things that matter to me as a 41 year old adult!”
A truly inspirational story about a die-hard Chevy girl! Thanks goes out to Gibbany for sharing her story with us.