Ryan Martin’s “Champagne Papi” Camaro: The Ultimate Street & Strip Beast You Didn’t Expect!

When it comes to blending raw horsepower with real-world drivability, few builds hit the mark like Ryan Martin’s legendary “Champagne Papi” 1969 Chevy Camaro. Built with purpose, refined through experience, and engineered for both street cruising and competitive racing, this car is more than just another Street Outlaws machine — it’s a statement.

Originally intended for the OG street racing scene, this Camaro has evolved into one of the most versatile builds in Ryan Martin’s collection.

From Big Tire Monster to Streetable Small Tire Weapon

The journey of Champagne Papi started with a traditional drag setup — a carbureted big block Chevy paired with a Powerglide transmission. While undeniably powerful, it quickly became clear that this combination wasn’t ideal for real street use.

Ryan made a strategic decision: transform the car into something more relatable, more usable, and ultimately more refined.

The result? A small tire Camaro that delivers insane performance without sacrificing drivability — something most high-horsepower builds struggle to achieve.

Twin Turbo LS Power: The Heart of the Beast

At the core of Champagne Papi sits a modern, high-performance setup:

• LME aluminum block LS engine (440 cubic inches)
• Twin Precision 76mm turbochargers
• Turbo 400 transmission
• Gear Vendors overdrive system

This combination wasn’t chosen randomly. It was engineered specifically for drag-and-drive performance, allowing the car to dominate on the track while remaining smooth and manageable on the street.

The turbo setup plays a crucial role here. Unlike aggressive naturally aspirated engines, the twin turbos deliver power in a more controlled and predictable way, making the car surprisingly docile when cruising.

Built, Not Bought: Custom Fabrication and Smart Engineering

This Camaro isn’t just about bolt-on performance — it’s a product of serious fabrication.

A major focus during the build was weight distribution and efficiency. The turbos were repositioned closer to the firewall, requiring extensive custom work but significantly improving balance and response.

The car also features a full Stainless Works exhaust system, designed from front to back for both performance and sound control.

Ryan’s philosophy is clear: power is important, but control and usability matter just as much.

Classic Interior Feel Meets Modern Performance

Inside, Champagne Papi stays true to its roots.

Rather than going full race car, Ryan retained key factory elements:

• Original-style center console
• Factory shifter (adapted to control the Turbo 400)
• Clean, refreshed interior with new carpet and dash

This approach keeps the car grounded — a perfect balance between vintage muscle and modern engineering.

A True Street Car — Even With Family Inside

One of the most impressive aspects of this build is how usable it is.

Despite its massive power potential, Champagne Papi is designed to be driven — not just raced. Ryan regularly takes his family out in the car, highlighting its smooth driving manners and controlled behavior.

Thanks to the turbo setup and quieter exhaust configuration, the car avoids the overly aggressive, deafening nature of many race builds. It’s powerful, but it’s also comfortable.

Ready for War: Enter the Outlaw Syndicate

The story doesn’t end on the street.

Ryan Martin, alongside Shawn Ellington, is pushing into a new competitive arena with the Outlaw Syndicate series.

Champagne Papi is expected to compete in the 530 class, where cars run in the 5.20–5.30 range — a serious level of performance that demands both power and precision.

This Camaro fits perfectly into that category, proving it’s not just a cruiser — it’s a contender.

Passion Beyond Racing

Interestingly, Ryan admits something many racers don’t say out loud — sometimes, building the car is more enjoyable than racing it.

With commitments across Pro Mod, big tire, and small tire racing, time behind the wheel of Champagne Papi has become limited. But when he does drive it, it’s not always about competition — it’s about enjoying the machine.

And that’s what truly defines this build.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Ryan Martin’s Champagne Papi Camaro represents the evolution of modern drag racing builds — where streetability, performance, and design all coexist.

It’s not just about going fast anymore. It’s about how you get there, how the car feels, and whether you can actually enjoy it beyond the track.

And in that regard, Champagne Papi might just be one of the most complete muscle car builds in the Street Outlaws world today.