SP Rides: The Huntress and Her ‘Helluva Car’
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Holly Almeida
Occupation: Dispatcher
Hobbies: Racing
Year/Make/Model: 1967 Camaro SS
Color: Silver
Engine: 350 crate motor, roller cam, intake, 670 Street Avenger carburetor, MSD Ignition system, Hooker headers, Flowmaster Exhaust, 8mm ignition wires, electric fan, K&N filter
Transmission: Turbo 350 transmission, 340 Posi rear-end
Interior: Custom dash cluster, power windows, tilt steering
Wheels and Tires: 15-inch American Racing Wheels, Sumitomo HTR 40Z @ 275/40ZR17
Known as “The Huntress” in racing circles, Holly Almeida has been behind the wheel of cars since she was about 9 years old. Her father, Chuck, used to let her drive his 4-speed jeep on his hunting trips, but was surprised to learn from a friend at the time that she was also taking the jeep out on runs along a beach.
“He said, ‘After school, your daughter is running it out on the sand in Mokuleia!’” recalled Chuck.
Obviously, racing has been in Almeida’s blood for quite some time.
Her first race vehicle was her first “Huntress” — a 1979 Toyota truck she used to run in the middle of the oval at Hawaii Raceway Park. Her second was a regular at Kalaeloa Raceway Park’s sand drags, where she regularly challenged the big-boy V8s.
While trading up for another Tacoma, she came across a deal that she simply couldn’t pass up. With the chatter that a new asphalt track could be built soon, she took a chance and brought this absolutely stunning 1967 Camaro SS.
Simply put, this car is incredible, as the silver paint follows the bodylines so well it shines brilliantly in the darkness. It’s also powerful and has been given a true makeover, one that features a 350 crate motor with a roller cam and intake with a 670 Street Avenger carburetor. Additionally, an MSD ignition system, Hooker Headers, a 350 Trans and a 340 Posi rear-end help make and distribute power to the 15-inch American Racing Wheels.
This car has all the goodies to make it a modern, enjoyable hot rod: power windows, a tilt steering column and a custom dash cluster. Finally, a Flowmaster exhaust provides some low-end growl, and the carb has a K&N filter to help it breathe.
As a daily driver, the Camaro SS is a lot of car, as the tires can be spun with the touch of the pedal. The car constantly turns heads and its growl and menace are a joy to experience.
“I like to be different,” Almeida explained. “It’s a classic, and the shape and condition of this one is fantastic.”
Almeida continues to hope for the opening of a new, local racetrack, something that would satisfy the hunger of thousands of people with vehicles just like hers by giving them a place to play. But although this car seems to fit Almeida’s personality perfectly, the fact remains that without a track, the car feels like a waste and an enormous loss of potential.
It’s because of this that Almeida has decided to sell the Camaro SS until something comes along and she can finally put the pedal to the metal. For now, she still has her sand and dirt track racers to keep her competitive juices flowing, but what she wouldn’t give to test these wheels out on a super expensive asphalt surface. “It’s one helluva car,” she said.
