Some cars are remembered for their raw speed. Others earn their place in history because of the personality behind the wheel. Susan “Savage Suzy” Patterson’s Devin-bodied Chevy-powered special manages to have both. With its low, fiberglass body, oval nose, and wide stance, it looks like it drove straight out of 1959. And yet, when it shows up at vintage weekends, it’s as alive as ever, carrying echoes of a time when American specials squared up against European giants.
The Woman Behind the Wheel
If you spend time around the paddock, you know the name. “Savage Suzy” isn’t just a catchy nickname painted on her helmet—it’s the persona Susan Patterson built as she carved out her space in vintage racing. Rookie of the Year in 2016, SVRA Group 4 National Champion, and the owner-driver of her own special, she brought fire and personality to every outing. When she wheeled the Devin special onto the track, fans weren’t just watching a car, they were watching a driver and machine with matching grit.
On the Track
This car hasn’t been content to sit in garages or museums. In 2016, Patterson ran it through SVRA competition, stacking up results and proving it had bite. By 2017, she even strapped into a 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA at Watkins Glen. And in 2018, the car was back where it belongs—on track at Laguna Seca’s Spring Classic. That weekend, diving into the Corkscrew with Savage Suzy at the helm, the Devin reminded everyone why these specials still matter.
Why It Stands Out
The Devin-bodied Chevy special fits perfectly in the tradition of American one-offs like the Echidna—cars built with ingenuity, not factory budgets. Fiberglass curves gave it style, a Chevy small-block gave it teeth, and Susan Patterson gave it soul. Together, they turned a quirky garage-built racer into a fan favorite. This wasn’t nostalgia—it was proof that racing history only counts when it’s still out there roaring.
The Lasting Roar
Susan Patterson may not be a regular on today’s grids, but her time with the Savage Suzy Special cemented both car and driver in the vintage racing story. The car still carries the decals, the character, and the echoes of her runs at places like Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, and Laguna Seca. For fans, the sight of that baby-blue special is enough to conjure the spirit of a driver who strapped in and made sure its legend kept rolling. And that’s what keeps it alive—Savage Suzy’s mark, still roaring every time the Devin hits the track.
