Vehicle Description
When a car is right, you can tell just by looking at it. Given the
predatory stance and dialed-in paint job on this 1968 Chevrolet
Chevelle, there's no question the guys who built it did their
homework. It is a potent big block car, packing a thundering 396
cubic inch V8 and a flashy restoration with a few choice upgrades
that make this one really stand out from the pack.
That electric shade of Blue Metallic is too modern and too glitzy
to be the car's original shade (colors like this could only be seen
at discos in 1968), and the slick paint job adorning the muscular
design of this sophisticated street brawler looks downright erotic.
Our photo booth lights dance off the bright sheetmetal, while that
enhanced blue finish emphasizes the gentle arc of the Chevelle
sheetmetal, not to mention the aggressive rake, and even though
it's a real head-turner it doesn't go overboard with a bunch of
loud metallic flake or dated stripes/decals. The top driver-quality
paint is deeper and shinier than any factory finish ever was in
1968, yet it still looks just right on this dialed-in A-Body, and
the silver-gray accent stripe that wraps across the top of the
front nose and runs the length of the lower body does a great job
breaking up all that blue. This Chevelle looks like it's had its
skin stretched tight over its chassis, and the tight fit of the
panels and professional prep give it a high-quality appearance
that'll show well on Friday nights at your favorite hangout spot.
Is it a trailer-queen? No, and that's not what Chevelles should
ever be anyway in my humble opinion. This '68 is a higher-end,
driver-quality example that loves to be driven and turns heads at
every local car show with its off-the-charts curb appeal. There's a
shiny SS grille up front, a paint-matched SS tail-panel in the
rear, proper 'SS' and '396' badges throughout, and brilliant chrome
bumpers fore and aft that add even more glitz to the already
blinging presentation. We like that they left off the gaudy racing
stripes and the cowl-induction hood, relying on the more
conservative double-hump hood and the aforementioned silver decal
to do most of the talking. Take a step back and drink this Chevelle
in, this is one slick muscle car.
Open the Chevelle's big doors and you'll find a cabin that's been
well-cared for since the day it was fully restored. The black vinyl
interior has been restored using fresh seat covers on the bench
seats, matching carpets, clean door panels, and what might actually
be the original headliner (could be pulled a bit tauter), not to
mention all the other small detail pieces that are so tough to
track down and get right. A stock-style dash is topped with a
crack-free pad, while inside there's a set of factory-style gauges
flanking an aftermarket tachometer mounted in the center that keep
an eye on the big block's revs. A 3-spoke steering wheel feels very
sporty in the hands of the driver, although the column-shifter that
joins it on the column allows for set-it-and-forget gear selection
for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission below. Options are
sparse, but you do get a Vintage Air A/C unit with controls mounted
in the center stack, and the retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo just
below it play tunes through the upgraded speakers in the kick
panels. The back seat looks like it's been rarely used but has
enough room for 3 willing passengers, and the spatter-painted trunk
is stock and bare - proudly showing off solid panels and sheetmetal
that tell the story of this car's easy life spent away from the
elements.
Horsepower is delivered from a date-code correct 396 inch V8 that
has been properly dressed in bright Chevy Orange paint and just the
right amount of shiny stuff. Situated between the glossy black
fender wells, it looks fairly stock, although a few upgrades
include a sporty performance intake and big 4-barrel carburetor,
chrome valve covers, an aluminum radiator, and a throaty Flowmaster
dual exhaust system that surely adds a few extra horsepower. The
big motor is very responsive and really runs great today, with
loads of big block torque available at any speed and in any gear.
The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission handles the massive torque
without compromising the car's ability to cruise at highway speeds,
and there's a heavy-duty 10-bolt hanging out back. Power front disc
brakes provide sure, confident stops, power steering ensures easy
driving, and the large diameter H-pipe dual exhaust system dumps
out through Flowmaster-style and big angled tips under the rear
bumper. A quick peak underneath shows off super-solid pans neatly
finished in stain black paint, along with fresh components
throughout the suspension, and someone definitely did their
homework when it came time to stuff the wheel wells, because this
one wears flashy Ridler wheels and 245/45/17 front and 285/40/17
rear Nitto performance radials.
Nicely restored and modified just enough to catch everyone's
attention, this big block Chevelle puts a unique twist on a
timeless classic. Call now!
