Reviving a Legend:Kurt Kannemeyer’s Tribute to the Chevy Can-Am

Kurt Kannemeyer’s story is one many enthusiasts can relate to. About nine months ago, Kurt picked up his 1972 Chevy Firenza 2.5 GT from a seller in Port Elizabeth. Having already tinkered with another 2.5 GT by shoehorning a 350 and a four-speed manual into it, he was no stranger to a Chevy project. But this particular Firenza – with its potential to channel the Can-Am – was different. For Kurt, this wasn’t just a car; it was a throwback to his teenage years, when two Portuguese brothers in his neighborhood ran Can-Ams and fueled his lifelong love for Chevy muscle.

To seal the deal, Kurt and a buddy took the long trek to Port Elizabeth. They faced a foggy, 12-hour crawl back, squinting through the Firenza’s barely-there headlights. Once home, Kurt dug into the project, outfitting it with a Chevy Caprice front and rear suspension and a trusty 350 small block cooled by a dual-fan radiator. Paired with a 350 Turbo transmission, this Firenza was shaping up as a true street beast. Drag racing legend Willie Nel even stepped in to install a Hurst Pro-Matic 2 shifter, adding just the right edge.

While not technically a Can-Am, Kurt’s Firenza proudly wears the hallmarks of a close relative. With Street Fire ignition, MSD distributor, and MSD Blaster 3 coil, the setup is topped off with an Edelbrock Performer intake and carb. Mickey Thompson tappet covers – straight from Kurt’s old engine project – add that old-school flash. A Caprice-sourced diff handles the rear, while Caprice brakes and steering parts keep everything under control. American Racing wheels wrapped in Sonar 225/50R15 tires complete the look, with a Cowley Exhausts stainless steel system growling from beneath.

In Kurt’s words, it’s a Sunday car. But let’s be real: every day is Sunday when you’re behind the wheel of a machine like this. And judging by the attention it attracts, others can’t help but agree. During the shoot, a guy in a V8 bakkie pulled up and, like clockwork, gave his engine a few proud revs. But in the world of Chevys, there’s a saying – you don’t out-rev a Chevy.

Kurt’s Firenza is more than just a build; it’s a tribute to a dream he’s chased since he was fifteen. When he’s away working as a commercial diver, you can bet he’s counting the days till he’s back, cruising his own piece of Can-Am history. Whether it’s parked in his garage or tearing up the tarmac, this Chevy has a spirit all its own – a Sunday car that turns every day into a special drive.