Car of the Week: Poul Anchersen's '78 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Welcome to our Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today we're continuing our week of appreciation for our international customers and bring you Poul Anchersen's 1978 Cadillac Coupe de Ville all the way from Denmark.

How did you get into drag racing? 

I have always had a passion for U.S. cars, and my first favourite model was a ’66 Chevelle. Bought my first American car when I was 17 (here in Denmark you need to be 18 to get a driver’s license), and it was a ’66 Chevelle Coupe with a 396 big block. And because of the big block I soon found that I had to try it on a track.

When and where was your first race? 

I tuned my Chevelle some, and got it to run 12.10 in 1998, then I bought at race chassis (also a ’66 Chevelle) and with the same engine and transmission I ran 10.70. This was in 1999 and 2000.

What model/year do you race now? 

Cadillac Coupe de Ville 1978. Best 60-foot is 1.26, and the best 1/8 mile is 5.50. We have a track near Copenhagen where I live, but it’s in Sweden. The best ¼ mile time is 8.96, but on a very poor track, the potential of the car is 8.70.

My goal is to take the car back to the U.S., and race in Ohio where my good friend and the guy I bought the car from lives. And maybe go to Georgia and Florida to some of the races down there.

Does your car have a nickname? 

Not really, but I call it the Big Yellow Refrigerator when I talk about its race appearance.   

What's under the hood? 

565 BBC Scott Shafiroff pro series, with an aluminum block. It’s getting sprayed with 325 hp on a Speedtech nitrous plate.

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle? 

BTE Top Sportsman Powerglide, and it gets a beating moving 3,800 pounds, but never had a break down on it.

Why do you use BTE? 

I have race friends who chose BTE because of the performance in the Cadillac. And I would buy BTE anytime, because of the quality.  

Someone you look up to in racing? 

Johnny Lindberg who races Alcohol Funny cars in the U.S. He is a very young man who knows how to both drive and tune his car.  

If money were no object, what would you drive? 

Not sure, maybe a fuel-saving vehicle so I can spend more money on the race car. And if we are talking race car, my Caddy has given me tons of good experiences and surprises, and I love to have people come up and tell me how much they love seeing the crazy wheel stands the car makes. But if I should make a step in classes, pro mod or pro extreme could be fun.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)? 

None really, I go with the feelings, and try to find time in a busy daily life to still be 100% ready on the racetrack.