Somewhere out there in the world, whether here in the states or abroad, there’s likely to exist another Saturn purpose-built for drag racing, but because we’ve never seen or heard about it, we feel quite confident in calling the trick little Ion you’re looking at the quickest of its kind.
Longtime Dragzine readers may recall that we ran a story on this unique Saturn belonging to Tennessee natives Tim and Austin Slone more than four years ago, not long after they completed the construction of the car. After that introduction, we lost track of the Slone’s project, and it wasn’t until the car was spotted for sale recently on RacingJunk that we learned of the successes the car had achieved.
Powered by a single-turbo, 416 cubic inch LS powerplant (filled with a Callies crank and rods and Diamond Pistons) with L92 heads, and Holley Dominator EFI with 160 lb./hr/ injectors, the 2006 Ion sitting atop a 25.5, four-link-style chromoly chassis actually became a member of the East Coast Timing Association’s 200 MPH Club two years ago at the Ohio Mile, when it flew through the timed standing-mile course at a screaming 206 MPH. On the dragstrip, the car is a proven five-second eighth-mile runner, which isn’t too shabby at all for a real, steel-bodied car.
Oh, and perhaps best of all, this car is entirely street legal. In other words, yes, it could really hurt some feelings — especially from those not expecting to be gapped by a Saturn, of all things.
In addition to the specs already mentioned, the car features Santhuff struts up front, brakes from Strange Engineering, Weld Racing Magnum wheels, Hoosier DOT tires, a Fab 9 housing from Mark Williams with 40-spline gun-drilled axles, a pair of Aeromotive A1000 fuel pumps, and a PTC transmission and converter combo to back up the LS bullet.
The car is the current record holder, with the 206 blast, in the ECTA’s B/BFSS category.
If you want something entirely unique, or just have a strange affection for former automakers tossed in the ditch by General Motors, this bad boy can be yours — minus the engine and tranny — for 40 large.