There may not be another Chevrolet Business Coupe with a business end in all the world quite like Charles Swindoll’s ’53 model that he built to cruise highways and speedways.
Charles says “anyone can own a Camaro, or a Chevelle, or a Nova. But I’m different.” This Business Coupe is certainly different.
For Swindoll, a veteran racer from Pasadena, Texas, his 1953 Chevrolet Business Coupe represents a new chapter and renewed vigor for the sport. Purchased as a roller at the Conroe [Texas] Swap Meet in October of 2023, the classic Chevy underwent a complete transformation in just two and a half months to make its drag-and-drive debut at Sick Week in the American south this spring.
The 416-inch LS makes a reliable 980 horsepower, enough to propel the 3,200-pound car to what Charles hopes will be high 8’s in drag-and-drive trim.
Swindoll’s racing story began in 1970 at the NHRA racetrack in Dickinson, Texas. “I was a mechanic at the time, and I drove a guy’s ’55 Chevrolet one time just to see what was wrong with it … I didn’t have the money to own one,” he says.
Together with his younger brother Jody, he built a 1959 El Camino and began racing it at the local tracks. Over the years, Charles has owned and raced numerous cars, competing in various NHRA classes such as Super Street, Super Stock, Super Gas, Super Comp, and Top Sportsman, as well as local E.T. bracket racing classes. Today, he continues his passion for racing by participating in drag-and-drive events with his family.
“My dad ran around with A.J. Foyt and did a little speedway racing and stuff, and there’s seven of us brothers and six of us are into cars. I’ve won the Cajun Nationals. I won the very first NHRA race at Houston in Super Comp in 1988, raced Super Stock, Top Sportsman, we did some Pro Stock racing, and even ran with Dan Pastorini in Top Fuel. I took a break for 17 years to raise my family, but I’ve been involved and around the sport since ’70,” Charles shares.
Charles, in a bid to make it to Sick Week 2024 with his newly-acquired Business Coupe, closed down his shop and worked around the clock for three months to finish the build.
Charles made his drag-and-drive debut last year at Sick Week in a 1965 GTO with an LS swap, with his daughter, Heather, riding along as his co-pilot. The acquisition of the 1953 Chevrolet Business Coupe marked the beginning of a rather ambitious project. “When I found the car, it was just a roller. It needed some work, but I saw potential in it,” Charles says. The build started immediately at his business, Swindoll Paint & Body Shop in Pasadena, with the goal of having the car ready for Sick Week in Orlando by January of this year. With the help of his nephews and his dedicated employees, Charles shut his shop down and worked around the clock to transform the Coupe into a serious street-and-strip machine in less than three months.
Under the hood of the Business Coupe lies a 416 cubic inch LS engine built by Don Holcomb Racing. This powerhouse features an aluminum Chevrolet block, Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons, and Frankenstein aluminum heads. The engine is topped with a supercharger and features Hooker stainless steel headers. The combination of these components results in a machine capable of impressive dragstrip numbers and road-going manners alike.
The car’s chassis was built from square tube mild steel with a funny car-style roll cage, certified to 7.50. Charles and his team completed the already-underway chassis to perfection. The drivetrain includes an FTI Powerglide transmission, a Circle D torque converter, and a 9-inch Ford rearend with Quick Performance third member and Strange axles.
All that was missing in the cars’ debut at Sick Week was air conditioning. “It was hot,” he shares, confirming he’s in the process of installing cold A/C to help with the warm days out on the road.
“I’m different,” Charles says of the decision to utilize a Business Coupe, of all things, for his drag-and-drive build. “Anybody can own a Camaro, or a Chevelle or Nova, but not many will have cars like I’ve got—I have a ’57 Chevy gasser with a 392 Hemi, a ’54 Chevrolet, a ’35 Sedan, ’58, ’60, ’62, ’64, ’65, ’68, and ’71 Corvettes. I had a Studebaker that I sold, and I’m building a ’68 Dodge truck with a fuel injected engine and twin turbos, so I just like different stuff.”
No build is without its challenges, and this unique 1953 Chevrolet Business Coupe was no exception. Just before heading to Sick Week, the car displayed a mysterious pull to the right. Despite multiple visits to the alignment shop and numerous adjustments, the problem persisted. It wasn’t until Charles’ nephew discovered that the right axle was too short for the Quick Performance center section that the issue was resolved. With time running out, they reverted to the old differential, but the experience was a test of their determination. “It drove us nuts, but we pushed through. That’s racing for you,” Charles reflects.
In its debut, the Business Coupe clocked a 10.32, but has since been tuned to better utilize all of the 980 horses on tap.
One of the most striking features of the ’53 is its appearance. Painted in Candy Apple Red and Vanilla Shake at Charles’ own shop, the car is a show-quality masterpiece. The body is mostly original metal, with the exception of a fiberglass deck lid and bumpers that Charles partnered with a local boat builder to craft molds to create. The interior, featuring custom upholstery and Holley Terminator X gauges, combines functionality with style. “The supercharged motor and Gear Vendors overdrive are my favorite parts of the car,” Charles admits. “But it’s the overall look that really sets it apart.”
In its debut, the car made a splash at Sick Week, running a best time of 10.32 seconds in the Dial-Your-Own class, and earning honors as the best appearing car. However, Charles has his sights set on more ambitious goals. “We dyno’ed the engine and it made 980 horsepower, so it should run low 9’s to high 8’s in the 1/4-mile,” he says. Following a back surgery in March that briefly sidelined his racing efforts, Charles is planning to re-acquire his NHRA license and also compete in more drag-and-drive events with his family in the coming months and seasons.
Charles is also building a ’66 Corvette gasser that he hopes to have ready for next season. Drag-and-drive competition has become a bit of a family affair for the Swindoll’s—Charles’ nephew, Lamar Swindoll, Jr., competes in the events, as do two other nephews, and Heather will be driving next season. He had five cars in the Swindoll convoy last season, eight this year, and he anticipates taking 10 to 12 cars—all family members— to Sick Week come 2025. “We love this deal … these trips have been a lot of fun,” he says.
With his dedication to racing and the support of his family and team, there’s no doubt that Charles and his 1953 Chevrolet Business Coupe will continue to turn heads in the drag-and-drive world.
