One of my favorites has come back home. We sold this car to a great guy near New York City over five years ago. He offered it to me after having only put 100 miles on it and providing it with climate-controlled storage. I was all too happy to have it come back home.
When it came to me the first time, it was as a trade-in from a great friend with a wonderful collection. He purchased it at auction. The restoration was just completed, in fact, he had to finish up a few things. He only drove it a couple hundred miles before trading it to me.
Originally, this car came from the Arlington, Texas factory with a six cylinder engine. The Protect-o-Plate tells me it came from a man in Bryson, TX. Bryson is a wide spot in the road Northwest of Dallas. Obviously a great spot to allow a car to survive without much corrosion.
The restoration was comprehensive. The car is no longer as sedate as when it was new. It is still a sleeper, but it will roar when awoken.
The engine is a 454 taken from a 1972 truck. It is mated to heads, intake, exhaust manifold and carburetor from a 1969 COPO 427 at 425HP! The air cleaner is a beautiful dual snorkel piece with 427 badging. We have recorded and decoded the casting and stamping numbers.
The transmission is a Muncie M20 built in 1968. The rear end is a 12 bolt with 4.11 gears and positraction. Freshly body color painted 14 inch cop car steel wheels are wrapped in near new Bridgestone Silvertown 8.50-14 bias ply tires. This perfect combination is capped off with dog dish/poverty hubcaps.
Everything is new or refurbished. The exhaust system, fuel system and brake system are all new. The weather-stripping and seals are new. A tilt steering column and classic steering wheel were installed. This is a radio delete car. It does have a correct functioning heater and wipers.
The chrome, trim and badges are all new. The bumpers and windshield are new. The Corvette Rally Red paint is spectacular and brilliant.
The interior is properly reupholstered in a correct red pattern for this model and year. The door panels, carpet and dash all look spectacular. The white headliner and visor truly set off the interior. Seat belts have been added.
I would like to call this car a Sleeper. But the brilliant colors and the exhaust tone will not allow you to sneak up on anybody. The simplistic look is one I am fond of. This car is all about the muscle, yet is really looks sexy.
This was a great car to start with. The body and undercarriage have never been rusty. Now that almost ten years have passed since the restoration, any issues would be showing themselves. I see none. Its time in Texas allowed it to survive in great condition.
I find this car to be wonderful and am so happy it came back to me. The interior is superb. The powertrain is raw and guttural. The body, paint and finish is amazing. I am truly overjoyed to have one of my favorites come home.
