Vehicle Description
In the classic car hobby, the words "muscle car" get thrown around
so much that it's sometimes hard to remember what the term really
means. And, unfortunately, a lot of times it's used as a catch-all
phrase for builds that have so many modifications they're
essentially custom. Thankfully, we have cars like this killer Chevy
Chevelle that provide a literal definition: take a pedigreed
factory cruiser and turn up the performance! The beneficiary of a
detailed, ground-up restoration, this authentic Super Sport coupe
wraps slick Tuxedo Black aesthetics around four forward gears and
402 cubic inches legendary Chevy big block. If you like your muscle
cars tastefully modified but pure in spirit, step right up and take
a long look at your next classic!
NOTHING BEATS A BLACK SUIT
The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up restoration, this Chevelle
wears a sweet coat of correct Tuxedo Black 2-stage that manages to
be both abiding and menacing. Under that finish, solid body panels
align well, forming an impressive profile that's sure to inspire
stares for years to come. At the front of that profile, a familiar
Super Sport grille hangs a bold "SS 396" emblem between a broad
bumper and bright halogen headlights. Behind that grille, a
"Chevelle" branded header flows to a louvered Super Sport hood,
which fronts fresh, stainless-trimmed glass. At the sides of that
glass, traditional door handles and factory mirrors float between
bright wheel frames and "396" branded marker lamps. And, opposite
those lamps, a second broad bumper frames clean taillights and a
familiar Super Sport valance that's centered on another bold "SS
396" emblem.
FOUR-OH-TWO
Looks aren't the only thing that inspire great memories. Lift this
Chevy's hood and you'll find a clean, 402 cubic inch big block that
was rebuilt, thoroughly polished and substantially tweaked during
the car's extensive restoration. A rich mixture of air and fuel
comes courtesy of a coated Holley 4-barrel, which floats a polished
and decaled air cleaner under a trick wingnut. That carb rides a
lightweight Edelbrock Torker 2-0 intake, which is threaded between
a small pressure gauge, polished fuel lines and iron Chevy heads.
Those heads prop a polished cap, polished breathers and finned
Mickey Thompson valve covers above throaty long-tube headers. At
the back of those tubes, a hot HEI distributor fires spark through
loomed Accel Hi-Temp Super Stock plug wires. In front of those
cables, traditional V-belts spin a painted water pump between a
modern alternator and modern power steering. And that pump feeds a
shrouded aluminum radiator that's strung between a polished cap and
an aftermarket expansion tank.
FACTORY STRONG
When the engine roars to life, it spins torque to a reliable Muncie
4-speed, which twists power to a requisite 12-bolt axle that's
finished with 2.73 gears. That stainless-trimmed pumpkin pushes a
beefy F41 Sport Suspension that's been fully rebuilt and fully
refinished. Turns come courtesy of factory-style power steering.
Stops are brief thanks to a modern Wilwood master cylinder, which
boosts factory drums behind modern Wilwood calipers. There's a
2.5-inch exhaust system that growls through welded, dual-chamber
mufflers. And all that hardware rolls on old school Cragars, which
turn 215/70R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As in front of 255/60R15 BF
Goodrich Radial T/As.
BLACK-ON-BLACK
Between the doors you'll find a fresh Black interior that's puts
the 'tradition' in traditional. Front and center, vinyl-wrapped
buckets perfectly complement a vinyl-wrapped bench. A factory dash
hangs restored telemetry above a trio of accessory gauges. Beneath
that dash, Chevelle-themed floor mats border a factory console,
which frames a traditional Hurst shifter. And the driver guides a
wood-trimmed Chevrolet Rally Wheel around an old school MQQN
tachometer.
A lot of builders set out with the intention of making their
vintage project best newer cars in as many ways as possible. That
sometimes causes their muse to feel a bit boring or watered down.
Thankfully, this Chevelle was kept true to form, with its buff big
block, row-it-yourself gearbox and classically timeless aesthetics.
Fully sorted and ready to roll, this Chevy is an impressive build
that's sure to please any hardcore muscle car fan who enjoys
grabbing gears and sliding sideways. If that sounds like your idea
of fun, call your like-minded friends at RK Motors Charlotte!
HIGHLIGHTS
Authentic Chevelle Super Sport
The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up restoration
402 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
12-bolt rear axle / 2.73 gears
Power steering
Power front disc and rear drum brakes
15-inch Cragar S/S wheels
Correct Tuxedo Black paint
Correct Black vinyl interior
Correct F41 Sport Suspension
