ESAB Hosts Legendary Racer at SEMA

The special guest at the show will receive a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette street racer with a customized 800 hp crate motor that was built using ESAB welding equipment and filler metals.

When world-champion drag racer and street racer Rod Saboury needed a new record-setting car, he turned to Troy Spackman and his team at Legacy Innovations, LLC (West York, PA).  And, when Spackman and the Legacy Innovations crew needed high-quality welding equipment and filler metals, they turned to ESAB Welding & Cutting Products (Florence, SC).

Saboury began building and drag racing cars in the late 1960s. A decorated world champion at the drag strip, he began street racing in 1992. An accomplished builder himself, Saboury was introduced to Spackman by a mutual friend.

Saboury hired Spackman and Legacy to restore a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. “I build cars, but I could never build like Troy does,” explained Saboury. “He’s a good businessman. While he was working on my Camaro, I watched him interact with other customers. Some people give me the “celebrity treatment” because I’m well-known in racing circles, but he gives every single customer the celebrity treatment – I’ve seen him do it!”

Spackman has more than ten years of experience working on award-winning cars. He founded Legacy in 2006 as a full-service facility for custom, rare, unique, and exotic vehicles. From building to restoration, to repair, his team brings expert attention to every aspect of the car.

Currently, his company is working on a new street racing car for Saboury. This new car is utilizing a late-model Chevrolet Corvette crate motor that will be customized to yield an 800 hp output. “This is the first turnkey project we’ve done for Rod,” said Spackman.  “We use ESAB equipment and filler metals, but for this project we especially relied on the 2200i CaddyTig.”

The 2200i CaddyTig is designed to deliver quality TIG welding in all types of alloyed, non-alloyed and stainless steels. This portable welder is designed for durability and ease of use, particularly in harsh work environments. Spackman and his team used OK Tigrod 13.08 (ER80S-D2) tig welding rods for welds that can handle the rigors of auto racing.

“We will deliver this car to Rod at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas at the end of October,” stated Spackman. The SEMA Show is considered to be the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. With more than 60,000 industry-only attendees, the show draws some of the hottest products in the specialty automotive arena.

Saboury will be a special guest at ESAB Booth 21401 at SEMA and will be signing autographs as well as showing off his new car. “I plan on setting records with this car,” he smiled. “I have complete confidence in Troy and Legacy Innovations, and I’m looking to win with this car!”

With more than 100 years of experience, ESAB is one of the world’s largest and most skilled manufacturers of welding and cutting equipment and welding filler metals. Recognized as the technological leader in the industry, ESAB is committed to providing customized solutions for their customers. For more information, visit www.esabna.com