Cool Chevelle in for resto.

Mr. Duece · #1 09-02-2007, 11:14 PM

I'd like to share this story:

In March of this year I received a call at the shop from the original owner of a 69 SS396 Chevelle. He personally ordered this car in Oct. of 1968. It was ordered Burnished Brown, stripe delete, with parchment bucket seat interior. He had heard of us from a recent magazine article and invited me out for an inspection. Upon my arrival I was amazed at how unmolested this car was. He had driven the car 40k miles up until the early 90's and then parked it. He still had the original born with motor with all factory components, original M21 trans, & original 12 bolt. Even had the original rolled SS exhaust tips. Marital problems set in so the car sat untouched. The now "ex-wife" fortunately wanted no part of the "junk in the garage". In 1998 finally the car went to a local body shop in Southern Illinois for restoration. Body work was done and painted. Once again life got in the way. The car sat another 9 years unfinished until he called us. He transported the car to our shop immediately. He was unsure what level of car he wanted. Finally about a month ago he gave me the go ahead on a full frame off resto. with another repaint. We are still unclear to what level the car will be as he said he is going to drive the Sh88t out of it. I wonder if that will change. Sorry for the long post but wanted to share this story. Don

Arrival!
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Original Undercoating on firewall!
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Original 2 piece rotors!
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Original springs with tags!
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**Xplantdad** · #2 09-02-2007, 11:57 PM

looking good Don!

GRB · #3 09-03-2007, 01:05 AM

That's quite a transformation.

**WILMASBOYL78** · #4 09-03-2007, 01:56 AM

Very cool car...what HP is it..??

wilma

nuch_ss396 · #5 09-03-2007, 06:00 AM

Don,

Got any particulars on how you did the N/66 wheels? Did
you use rattle cans? Did you use painting masks?

Nuch

**mockingbird812** · #6 09-03-2007, 08:27 AM

Love the B Brown w/ parchment interior. Very sharp work Don. Great story. Keep 'em coming.

SS454 · #7 09-03-2007, 05:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Don,

Got any particulars on how you did the N/66 wheels? Did
you use rattle cans? Did you use painting masks?

Nuch

[/ QUOTE ]

The wheels where glass beeded than epoxy primed. Than we sprayed with our own mixed silver, than masked each wheel by hand (thows masking kit's make it harder to make look nice) than centers are sprayed a custom mix that we made from a set of unrestored org wheels. Than they are cleared with a matt clear. They really do come out nice this way.

**mockingbird812** · #8 09-03-2007, 05:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Very cool car...what HP is it..??

wilma

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks to be a 350 HP (L34).

Mr. Duece · #9 09-03-2007, 09:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Very cool car...what HP is it..??

wilma

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I will post more pics. later in the week. To answer your question Tom, it is an L34. During all this drama in the past, the customer was able to buy an original complete L78 removed from another Chevelle which we will install. Hence the reason for the single 3/8 fuel line. I can't say I agree with this but he claims he will NEVER sell this car and wants it built his way. It sure is hard for us to do being the original L34 is as complete as the day he bought the car. What can I say, "the customer's always right". Aren't they?????