When you have become known in some circles as the “titanium man”, chances are you have somewhat of a healthy obsession with the ultra-lightweight metal.

That is exactly what has happened with Missouri chassis builder Terry Murphy as construction continues on Charles Carpenter’s next ’55 Chevy. The buzz generated from Carpenter’s selection of Murphy as the builder of his new car created quite a stir around Carpenter’s Charlotte, NC shop, but created an even bigger one at Murphy’s Blue Springs, MO shop.

“It seems like after we announced I was building Charles’ car and that the goal was to make it as light as possible, the phone has been ringing off the hook with racers and builders looking for titanium,” said Murphy. “We used a lot of it in my car and people took note of that, but we are using even more in Charles’ car.

Work continues on Carpenter’s new Terry Murphy-built ‘55 

When you have become known in some circles as the “titanium man”, chances are you have somewhat of a healthy obsession with the ultra-lightweight metal.

That is exactly what has happened with Missouri chassis builder Terry Murphy as construction continues on Charles Carpenter’s next ’55 Chevy. The buzz generated from Carpenter’s selection of Murphy as the builder of his new car created quite a stir around Carpenter’s Charlotte, NC shop, but created an even bigger one at Murphy’s Blue Springs, MO shop.

“It seems like after we announced I was building Charles’ car and that the goal was to make it as light as possible, the phone has been ringing off the hook with racers and builders looking for titanium,” said Murphy. “We used a lot of it in my car and people took note of that, but we are using even more in Charles’ car.

Murphy is not only utilizing copious amounts of titanium, but has also methodically planned every inch of the car’s layout to be as light as possible. “There is absolutely nothing there that doesn’t have to be,” Murphy added. “We are going to be doing a lot of unique things, a lot of out-of-the-box thinking as well. I’ve even got Charles on a small diet. I don’t see how a car can be safely built any lighter.”

Right after a successful PRI show in Orlando, Carpenter made the trip west to Murphy’s shop to get fitted in the car. “When I left Charlotte, it was beautiful. Temperatures were in the high 70s,” said Carpenter. “I get to Kansas City, and there is two feet of snow and ice on the ground and it’s 20 degrees. The weather was unpleasant to say the least, but once I saw all the progress that had been made on the car and how good everything looked, the weather was the least of my concerns.”

Carpenter spent four days getting fitted in his new ride, and work has continued on the chassis at the same relentless pace since then. “Beyond building a great car, it’s Terry’s and his crew’s work ethic that has impressed me,” said the two-time ADRL Pro Nitrous event winner. “I think they have taken one or two days off since I gave him the green light to begin building the car in November.”

In a mere six weeks, Murphy has transformed raw tubing into an almost-completed ’55 Chevy. Only small details remain, and Carpenter is looking forward to taking delivery of the machine and getting it out on the track for testing. Many fans have requested more photos of the build, and in response a photo gallery has been set up HERE with photos from Carpenter’s mid-December trip to Missouri. Much more work has been completed on the car since theses photos were taken, all in preparation for the car’s national debut at the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League’s RacingJunk.com Dragpalooza IV in Houston, TX. Carpenter has a little bit of history with that particular event.

“It would be special to debut this car at the Dragpalooza event and hopefully do well with it,” said the “Father of Pro Mod”. “We went down to Houston last year and won that race out of nowhere. That really marked a turning point in my career. With support from Pat Doherty, Paul Albino, Custom Autosound, Buddy’s Automotive, my crew, and all the fans, continuing that trend in 2008 is our ultimate goal.”