Just to clarify - It wasn't me driving when the car went 160 mph @ portland. That was the guy who built it, Tim Werner.
Anyone considering building an A body for handling should use it as a template. I have yet to push the car really hard, but it is really fast and handles extremely well. It goes exactly where you point it. You can find tons of info on the car by searching "Tim Werner Valiant" or "427 Valiant". I have some pages bookmarked on my other computer. I'll post them when I get a chance.
I will say that if you go down the same road with your car, expect a harsh, noisy ride. The Valiant is street legal, but not a good daily driver.