Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Hi Bruce, I'm not quite sure where to start but here goes!

As a child I was raised around the "Muscle Car scene". My uncle had several cars he modified and street raced. One I remember most was a 68 Chevelle SS396L78 he purchased new off the roof of Fencl Tufo Chevrolet in Oak Park. The car was White/Black, 4 speed with a factory 488 gear. How cool was that?. In 1978 my family relocated from the city to the suburbs of Chicago. Me being 11 years old was itching to get a license to get my own car. While riding around the local streets on my bike, my friends and I heard this car coming. It was a blue 68 Chevelle with stuff sticking out of the hood. At the time I was'nt sure what it was.

In January of 2006, I was asked if I still remembered that car. How could I not? I was told it's still around and it's for sale. Now they have my attention. Never really getting close to this car I did'nt know what to expect. I was on my way. Imagine the feeling when the garage door opened. I was in shock. There was the car just as I remembered it when I was 11. Upon my inspection, I realized this car was also an L78 purchase from Fencl Tufo Chevrolet. Grotto Blue, 4 speed with a factory 488 12 bolt. Car has the 6000 r.p.m roll tach and gauges still in place reading 27,000 miles. Needless to say I bought the car.

Once getting it back to the shop it was evident this car had a rough life with a lot of history. It was unsafe to drive. According to the title this car was driven 23 miles in the last 16 years. This Labor Day weekend (2006), rather than coming to SCR9 I completely disassembled the car and treated it to a well deserved frame off chassis/safety restoration. I rebuilt the engine, trans, and rear end as well. Every effort was made to keep the car as I remembered it. Therefore the car was not repainted. It still has it's 1980's "circa" graphics on it. My plans were to complete the restoration in time to attend the fall Chevy Vettefest and I did.

I feel this Chevelle has been resurrected from the past but still looks as it did the first day I saw it. The car is now very dependable, very quick and a blast to drive. The only difference is now, I know what the "stuff" is sticking through the hood. Thanks for viewing this cool piece my child hood, Don

Bruce, Thank You for posting this story in Members Rides It sure means a lot to me!

Don/Mr. Duece


BEFORE

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...euce/tn_30.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...euce/tn_41.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...euce/tn_53.jpg





AFTER

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_P1010187.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...P1010042-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ckendAfter.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_P1010165.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_P1010160.jpg






VETTEFEST in NOVEMBER

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...P1010202-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Vettefest2.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...P1010194-1.jpg

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

I checked that beast over pretty good at Vettefest. Cool car... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

D-A-M-N!!!!!!!!!! Very nice job. What a feeling that must give you to be in the driver's seat of this very bad 'velle. Glad to see you retain the Lakewoods.
<font color="blue"> Nice knuckle-dragger! </font>

Describe the drivetrain as you have it now.

Love the Grotto blue too!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Nice license plate! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Dan.

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Here's one that needs to be seen in person.......Great Job guy's....... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

I recall your post when you got it, very cool piece and being a L-78 way cool!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Wow Don! Great job! I did not get to give this car as good of a look over as I wanted to at Vette Fest.

You mentioned Fencl Tufo in Oak Park. Brigance was the one in Oak Park and Fencl Tufo was in Glendale Heights. Which one was it? Also where were you from in the city and where did this car sit the whole time? Was it in the city also?

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

excellent...another fantastic rolling time machine.
where did all those "pro street" cars go?

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Beautiful car, Don https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Love how you kept it 'period correct'. How cool was that to be able to get a 4.88 from the factory https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

man that car is just so cool. day-2 meets street freaks!
4.88 gears with a tunnel ram... you must getting 6 mpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

I would love to find a car like that...
but then again I would love to own a restoration shop like that too https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

+++ DON +++ THAT IS ONE /// FANTACTIC /// CAR.. A GREAT STORY, AND ''' RESTO '' JOB AS WELL//// THANKS https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif FOR SHARING THIS WITH US....KASEY .... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Thanks everyone for all the nice comments. This car really is a blast to drive. It was a tough call not to go to the next level and repaint it when the car was so far apart. I bought this car to retain my childhood memories and with a repaint it would be like any other 68 Chevelle. Now every time I look at it I feel like a little kid riding a bicycle. Call it a mid life crisis or something like that...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Frank, you would know better than me but I was told in 1968, Fenc Tufo was in Oak Park and later moved to Glendale Hts. Could that be true? I was also told that my car, as well as all new arrivals were stored on the roof top until sold. Would that be true of either dealership? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

This car is dynamite! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
D-A-M-N!!!!!!!!!! Very nice job. What a feeling that must give you to be in the driver's seat of this very bad 'velle. Glad to see you retain the Lakewoods.
<font color="blue"> Nice knuckle-dragger! </font>

Describe the drivetrain as you have it now.

Love the Grotto blue too!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Sam, When I bought this car it appeared to have been maintained with spare parts and no money. I tried to salvage as much of the driveline as possible. However that was tough to do. The B.B. is now a .030 over 402 block with 11.5:1 compression, a big solid lifter cam, and original G.M. 840 Big Port heads. The trans is an M20, not original to the car but I rebuilt and reinstalled it. The rear is still the original housing, G.M. carrier, and Ring &amp; Pinion. I installed new bearings and seals and away we went. I thought I might have som regret not using a larger displacement motor to start with, but this combo together makes plenty of power for a sreet driven car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Don, could you post some in-restoration-progress shots?

Thanks!
-Dan

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Don, Thanks for submitting your car for members rides! I saw it first hand at Vettefest. What a cool throwback to days past. I love it! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Here are my shots...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_DSCF6320.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_DSCF6321.jpg

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

That is one wicked time machine https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif Just for the record my bike was faster and way cooler than yours https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don, could you post some in-restoration-progress shots?

Thanks!
-Dan

[/ QUOTE ]

Dan, I'll post some "in progress" pictures in the next day or two. Anything specific you'd like to see?

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Bruce, Thanks once again for your time and effort posting my car. Don https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
That is one wicked time machine https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif Just for the record my bike was faster and way cooler than yours https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Stefano, All I can say is bring it on. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
I still have my original bike unrestored with docs. Do you???

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Hey Don,
The car looks great. I can remember alot of the cars from our area and do have some memories of the Gambler as a young lad. Thanks for keeping those memories alive. Tom

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don, could you post some in-restoration-progress shots?

Thanks!
-Dan

[/ QUOTE ]

Dan, I'll post some "in progress" pictures in the next day or two. Anything specific you'd like to see?

[/ QUOTE ]

Don, the whole process of "restoration" simply fascinates me. I've envied those who restore cars and always love looking at the progressions made by individual restorers. I happen to admire the ’68 and ’69 Chevelles very much. I'm not looking for anything special, just post the pictures you think will work.

Keep up the good work!

-Dan

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Ok you win.

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Sweet ride.... my dad had a 69 chevelle race car also it ran a 427 and was called the Fat Rat...

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

beautiful job!! I too grew up around that time and remember seeing all kinds of cars like that cruising around the Philly area... One that was simular to that was a 66 SS 396 in marina blue with a tunnel ram(natch) with the name on the back.. "Moody B1ues"... great memories..

Frank

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Now will you finish the Nova ?????????????

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

The only non dedicated drag car I can remember with a name on it from my old neighborhood was a 67-68 Barracuda with Killer 'Cuda written across the rear 1/4s.

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

What?! no 69 Camaro's with " HIGHWAY STAR " on the quarters?

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

The Only Guy I know who put a name on the 1/4 panel of a Camaro was SSL78 on Alss old RS/SS L78/ZL1. I believe he called it "The Aluminator".

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Neat car and great story to go with it, Don https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Only Guy I know who put a name on the 1/4 panel of a Camaro was SSL78 on Alss old RS/SS L78/ZL1. I believe he called it "The Aluminator".

[/ QUOTE ]
"Blast from the past"?????

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don, could you post some in-restoration-progress shots?

Thanks!
-Dan

[/ QUOTE ]
More pics. coming soon! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

My mistake,brain fade.

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Both of you have "Brain Fade"...must be from all the fumes. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Here you go!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/P5150030.jpg

Dan.

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

For those of you interested here are some more pics.

In 1980 my car received it's first frame off where the complete underside/firewall were painted to match the body color. I'm sure glad we do things differently today. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif
[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler066.jpg[/image]

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

26 years later..........

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler113.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler085.jpg[/image]

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

ck. out how they repaired the floor tunnel from various shifters used. Someone should have took this guys tools away....

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler139.jpg[/image]

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Due to an electrical nightmare, car received new dash, engine, and forward lamp wire harnesses.

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler135.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler134.jpg[/image]

Re: Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!
 

Finally starting to shape up.........

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...mbler110-1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Gambler118.jpg[/image]