Mr Deuces (Don DeFrancesco ) Wild 68 Chevelle!

[Xplantdad]

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











AFTER
















VETTEFEST in NOVEMBER

[sYc]

I checked that beast over pretty good at Vettefest. Cool car...

[mockingbird812]

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!!

[Postsedan]

Nice license plate!

Dan.

[kwhizz]

Here's one that needs to be seen in person.......Great Job guy's.......

Ken

[budnate]

I recall your post when you got it, very cool piece and being a L-78 way cool!!!

[Mr. Duece]

[ 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!!



[/ 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.

[MosportGreen66]

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

Thanks!
-Dan

[Xplantdad]

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!

Here are my shots...

[Mr. Duece]

[ 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?