Projects Getting the old car rollin again.

In 1986 I bought the car of my dreams I was 14 years old. It was an Artesian Turquoise 1965 Chevelle SS that had a little over 30,000 miles and I paid $1,000 for it. The guy I bought it from had raced it since the early 70's. It had originally been a L79 car with a 4spd. My Dad was a smart guy and wouldn't let a young kid run that motor. So when I had small engines class in high school I built a 406 while everyone else was building Briggs. I kept the 4spd in it and when it was ready I had a car that me and my father had put together. When I turned 16 the car was ready to go, so off I went. I tore up the local streets finding anyone that wanted a race, keeping the 4safter a few years the car was known around the area. Soon after school was over I got into sport bikes and the car sat, when my plow truck needed a motor the 406 was pulled and the heart of the car was gone. The car sat for the next 26 years in a shed. Last summer a friend of mine gave me some seat time in his 69 Nova at the local drag strip. That got my heart back into my Chevelle. So after a few days of thinking of what I wanted to do I pulled the car out of storage. Me and my Dad set a plan, lets make a old school looking street/drag car.......OK! So here are the plans. My dad has had a fresh 60 over 396 with original GM aluminum heads, 12 1/2:1 pistons roller rockers and a healthy cam and a good steel crank. For a little eye candy it will have a dual 4 tunnel ram! I'm keeping the 4spd with a 12 bolt and 373 gears. It should make a fun little street car that I can run at the track a few times. My plans are to have it ready in a month or two, wish me luck.

 

Way cool.
I know the L79 stuff fairly well, did you find the build sheet, say stuffed under a seat.
They have even been found between the gas tank and trunk.
A documented L79 car has gotten very collectable, not that I have issues hot rodding most anything.
PS, I like the way your dad thinks, 406=small engine.

 

It's so cool you heald on to the car all these years good for you. You and your dad will have a ton of fun together. Go man go.

 

Bring it to the Meltdown in Byron when you finish it.

 

DDDenny, I never got a build sheet with the car but I did get the original motor with the car. He took it out and ran a BBC in it when he raced it. The car was a gutted and had a cage which I took out. Someday I'll put it back to correct but for now its fun time....lol

 

Slopok, that's in the plans some day for sure. I'll have it a our local track this summer when the boys come to Rockfalls Raceway.

 

I forgot to mention that the car is getting 2" ball joint spacers for a little nose high attitude. Mix that with some steelies on the rear and old 4" Cragars in front to complete the racer look. I'm not going to make any friends with local law enforcement in sure..... oh well!

 

Well I learned a valuable lesson, when it comes to getting a clean frame and a guy in the area can sandblast the whole thing for 150 let him! After going through 2- 4 1/2" grinders and more than a dozen wheels I'm over the 150 bucks it would have cost me and I aint done yet........ DUMB!

 

Amazing you held into that car for all these years. Sounds like a fun project.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Its been awhile since any updates on the Chevelle project. Just figured I'd let ya's know its still going....Lol Thanks to a lot of work from my dad and some time its rolling along. Plans are to have it on the road next spring. Chassis is done, body in paint and the two are mated. Time for the power plant, wiring and the inside candy. I'll try to keep the updates coming. Maybe even a trip to the Meltdown drags next year! For sure it will be at Fallout in the fall at Rockfalls Raceway!

 

Good job.

 

Love your Chevelle! Super clean looking and the perfect color. Keep it up!

Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Well we got the engine between the rails! I think it should make a statement! Little by little it's getting closer! Can't wait for spring and to put my foot into it! More updates to come!

 

Very cool Chevelle.!

 

Dagum!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Getting a little closer! Got to take a quick drive in it before the snow hit. Runs great, it has a problem getting traction! Lol will try and post a few more pics later and a video of the first drive in 30 years!

 

Looks great! Keep working at it. My brothers first car was a 64 SS. I remember it well. Regards, Randy


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

I have a video. Too bad I can't figure out how to save it and post it. I'll keep trying....

 

That’s too cool man..!

 

Awesome car, great build but someday it would be great to put the L79 back in. Not yet tho

 

Scotty, I've got the original L79 motor in the shop but I kinda wanted to have a little fun with the car. I'd rather hurt the big block than hurt the L79... lol Don't worry it will find it's way back in someday.

 

Ride it hard for now! Some day when it’s time to re-do it again and you’re ready, stuff the 327 back in. Those 350 HP motors are no slouches tho.

 

Oh I plan on running it hard! And yes those little 327's beat alot of big blocks and all other takers in a race

 

Well the old car is on the road! 3 1/2 years of hard work has paid off! I want to Thank my Dad for all the hard work and help to make my dream a reality! Break in time and then off to the track! Can't wait! Here's the run down,
396, aluminum heads, 12.5:1, roller rockers, Holley 780, Muncie 4spd, 3:73 gears no power steering or brakes, not a modern part on the car ALL OLD SCHOOL!
Owned the car since 1986 and its always going to be in my family. I am one Happy guy!!!

 

Beautiful man, does it pull hard? What happened to the tunnel ram?

 

She pulls HARD! The tunnel ram will be added once the motor gets broke in and when all the bugs are worked out. The ram is the icing on the cake. Stay tuned!

 

Looks great! The ‘65s have always been my favorite Chevelle and yours looks perfect in aqua with Cragars in front and black wheels in back. Love it, can’t wait to hear how it runs.


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Sure looks good..........without a hole in the hood for the tunnel ram!
Great job.

 

Beautiful car!! Sounds like you got a pretty cool old man there, props Dad!! I have a lot of memories that I'll take to the grave about working with my Dad growing up. I'm sure yours are just as important as the car and that's saying a mouthful. Great outcome!! Nothing beats a clean paint job and black rear steelies!

 

Beautiful. 1965 is my favorite year of Chevelle. Always loved the one Darin drive on Bewitched. Nice to see you getting it back in the road, Enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.