SUMMARY
Body-off rotisserie restoration completed in 2014Remember that killer gray and black Chevelle we featured a couple weeks back? Well, it turns out that car has a sibling! Decked in an inverse Tuxedo Black and Shadow Gray paint scheme, updated with modern chassis components and hooked to a 468 cubic inch big block V8, this tastefully modified Chevy turns a traditionally appealing platform into a head-turning super star. If you're ready to hit the streets in a sinister muscle car that's built to take on anything, have a close look at this stunning Chevelle!
BODYWORK/TRIM
When this A-body left GM's Van Nuys assembly plant in July of 1970, it looked much different than it does today. For starters, the car was covered in a glowing coat of Champagne Gold single-stage. A run-of-the-mill small block lived between its factory-prepped wheel wells. And code 776 Metallic Medium Gold cloth coated its standard bench interior. Yes, to make a long story short, it was an era-specific grocery getter that lacked the aesthetic longevity to drop jaws and turn heads. To remedy that, the original paint was stripped and replaced by a slick coat of Tuxedo Black 2-stage. Orange pin striping and Shadow Gray war paint literally put the icing on the cake. Those feeble drivetrain and interior components were traded for modern performance and custom bucket seats. And today, fresh out of a body-off, rotisserie restoration, this top dog Chevy sits as a spectacular piece of iconic American muscle that's detailed to better-than-new standards.
Many enthusiasts view early '70s Chevelles as the pinnacle of both muscle car and classic Chevy design. At the front of this coupe, a custom, body-matched bumper founds small driving lamps beneath a clean crossbar grille and modern, black-trimmed headlights. Above that bumper, a pinned cowl induction hood anchors like-new glass between painted drip rails, body-matched trim and correct, body-matched mirrors. Below those mirrors, painted door handles, body-matched lamps and shaved rocker trim leave the car's monochromatic profile free of any frivolous distractions. And at the back of that profile, a shaved decklid caps a second body-matched bumper that features smoked and black-trimmed taillights.
ENGINE
Gaze in to the car's glossy engine bay and you'll find 468 cubic inches of big block bliss that creates an estimated 540 horsepower! At the top of that sinister mill, a big Holley 4-barrel mixes wind supplied by a color-keyed Edelbrock air filter with fuel that's piped through polished stainless fluid lines. That air/fuel mixture floods an Edelbrock aluminum intake on the way to Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, which hang Edelbrock-branded valve covers between coated Hedman Hedders and a matching Edelbrock breather. At the back of that intake, an aftermarket HEI distributor sequences spark through loomed MSD plug wires. At the front of those wires, a high quality March serpentine system spins an Edelbrock water pump between a polished alternator and modern AC compressor. In front of those ancillaries, a polished Champion Cooling radiator circulates fluid around two electric puller fans. And items like chrome bolt-ons, polished power steering components and custom cowls add a high level of visual detail.
DRVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Beneath this Chevy, a clean undercarriage tells the story of roughly 1K test miles. Rock-solid floorpans are coated in durable undercoating, setting the perfect backdrop for a roster of high quality parts. Behind the impressive big block, a proven Tremec 5-speed spins a 12-bolt posi-traction rear end around mild 3.08 gears. That excellent drivetrain is framed by a mostly stock suspension that's been upgraded with a beefy Hotchkis sway bar, aftermarket control arms and modern lowering springs. When the road starts to twist, power-assisted steering maximizes the driver's input. Four power-assisted calipers squeeze four drilled and slotted rotors to provide good braking. Spent gases race from the aforementioned headers in to an H-shaped crossover and rowdy Magnaflow mufflers. Power flows to the pavement through black BOSS Motorsports wheels, which turn 245/35ZR20 Lionhart LH-THREES in front of 275/30ZR20 Lionhart LH-THREES. And detail items include a Milodon oil pan, stainless fluid lines and a stainless fuel tank.
INTERIOR
Sporting a custom leather interior, this Chevelle is both inviting and unique. Its plush bucket seats, which feature slick diamond tuck covers, show no signs of wear at all. In front of those seats, a custom dash frames an assortment of Auto Meter gauges in a decidedly European instrument panel. Below that dash, a custom, full-length console anchors a traditional chrome shifter between Vintage Air climate control, sleek power window switches, small Auto Meter accessory gauges and Kenwood touch-screen audio. Beneath that console, deluxe carpet floats matching floor mats between bright courtesy lamps, stainless foot pedals and custom, Kicker-equipped kick panels. At the sides of that carpet, sculpted door panels feature upright, billet handles. In front of the driver, a polished and "SS" branded steering wheel laps a polished, titling column. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk features a nice combination of carpet and leather.
With its awesome motor, smooth body and fully sorted chassis, this Chevelle is the very definition of American muscle. And the car's fresh build represents first class showmanship at its very finest. If you're in the market for a top-notch classic that can win trophies and literally own the street, this Chevy is your kind of car!