Thom Carroll

Step into the unassuming concrete building on quiet Brook Street in Torrington, Connecticut, and you’ll find yourself transported back at least fifty years. A few Chevy 350s and a “Hi Perf” 396 engine sit disassembled alongside a 1970 Ford Capri racing block that just came in the door. Deeper into the shop wait a dozen more motors in various states of repair—some heavily abused or neglected, others beloved and rare matching-numbers motors here for a routine refresh.

Courtesy George Carroll When my father, George Carroll, was 18, he purchased a 1969 Chevelle from Zele Chevrolet in Torrington, Connecticut. He was too young to get the $3800 loan himself, so his father cosigned. Around this time, Dad and a few other gearheads founded the Speed Syndicate Car Club. They rented a garage to hold weekly meetings and tune their cars.