Rick Nelson's last car
 

Rick is retiring and says that this is the last restoration that he's doing. '70 SS L89 4 speed.

I know the story about how it came to be an L89 is far more interesting, but for those who noticed the Chevelle grill emblem was missing, that is a funny story too. Apparently it vibrated loose and fell off in the trailer and the driver did not notice it, as there are many places it could hide in the mechanisms. I ran into Rick in the swap meet area, looking for one to buy and put on. Ironically, I looked right at that grille thru the side door of the trailer when the car was still on the trailer and saw it didn't have the emblem and briefly wondered why, but I was talking with the driver about the total value of the cars he had transported and didn't go any further with the curiosity of the missing emblem. Sorry Rick !!
Curious if the cars would go back on the same trailers they arrived on and the emblem could be found...:hmmm:

Stunning just like all of Rick's stuff.

Congratulations on retirement and the L89 is nothing but perfection!:worship:

That L89 was straight up AWESOME!!! Congrats on your retirement.

Absolutely x2!

That car was over-the-top AWESOME!!!! It was great chatting with you Rick. Interesting conversation about where it was displayed too. :biggthumpup:

You’ll be back……just admit it!!!!:tongue:

Cheers
Dave

Wish I was there to see it! The Chevelle Community has a large void to fill with Rick's retirement!

Enjoy your deserved retirement Rick.....you will be missed.

Thank you guys. The kind words are very much appreciated. It was a strange weekend as I have not missed a show since its inception and had a car here most every year but one if I recall. This being the last show bringing one of our restorations was rather bittersweet and definitely felt a little overwhelming with emotions. Its been a great ride and must say this car was certainly one of the highest honors I could be bestowed as a last restoration. Phil is such a humble and down to earth person and the car did very well. I had to leave early due to family matters but was told by someone at the awards ceremony that Phil's Chevelle received the 2023 Platinum Pick Judges Choice award for best stock Chevrolet. If true that is the second year in a row for us and I could not be happier to end my career with such an honor. I have met some outstanding friends over the years due to these restorations and shows and that I will remember more than anything else. Thanks to all. After 44 years of restoring cars, its time to go fishing! ;)

Congrats on the retirement.....now the next chapter - whatever that may be :-)

Looking back to post #1, I counted 44 "Thanks". That has to be a record, and a testament to Rick both as a person and to his contributions to this hobby (Obsession) we are involved in. :worship:

Enjoy retirement Rick! :beers: - Bill W

Rick
Congrats on your retirement, I retired a year ago and had the same emotions your going through. I will say it has been a fabulous year, and i have not been bored at all. You have built some of the most detailed cars and i am honored to say you are definitely one of the Good Guys in the industry.

Congratulations on your retirement Rick! Outstanding work you have done for the hobby. Cheers!

Thank you Ken. Annie and I would like to thank you again for picking her (our) car as your 2019 sponsor's pick. We very much appreciated that coming from an esteemed shop such as yours.