When Roland Chavez brings out his '72 Super Sport, the
competition had best step aside, whether they're on the
track or on the show field. This eyeball-blistering
Chevelle is equally capable of holding its own in either
situation.
But what you see is not what Roland got when he first began this undertaking. Like so many other ACES members' projects, his, too, was admittedly a tad rough around the edges. Truth be known, it was probably closer to becoming another candidate for the crusher than it was to becoming a trophy winner. But Roland recognized the innate appeal of his Chevelle, and plunged right in with the ambitious undertaking.
Underside detailing is impeccable and features a 2.5-inch aluminized exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers and a 3.73 12-bolt with a Moroso Brute Strength posi. Lakewood traction bars help put the power down.
Replacing rotted sheetmetal was one of the first orders of business, and he farmed out that aspect of the transformation to Hatton's Automotive in Nashville, where the requisite skin-graft surgery was deftly performed, using all NOS parts. Many block sandings later, the body was finally ready for paint, and the hue chosen by the Nashville computer programmer was Torch Red, a '93 Corvette color that's so vivid it practically hurts your eyes to look at it. The hard work and attention to details paid off, ho wever, since the Chevelle was recently awarded a Best Paint award at an all Chevy show, and has garnered a couple of first place finishes in its class as well.
But owning a car that's all show and no go isn't Roland's idea of a good time, either, so he also took care of things under the hood. A "ZZ3" crate engine from GM Performance Parts was ordered through the local Chevy dealer, and with 345 galloping horses on tap, provides plenty of punch whenever Roland decides to give them a little exercise. Right out of the crate, the "ZZ3" motor features four-bolt mains, a 1053 steel crank, premium rods, a hydraulic roller cam, aluminum heads, and a 9.8 compression ratio (achieved with flat top hypereutectic pistons squeezing the fuel mix into 58cc combustion chambers). It also came complete with an aluminum intake (flanged for either a Holley or Q-jet carb) and an HEI distributor specifically curved for optimum power output using pump premium fuel. Taylor spiral-core wires help keep the mouse motor lit.
Reliable power is provided by a GM Performance Parts 345hp small-block crate engine assembly. A 3-inch K&N filter tops off the Q-jet carb, while a modified HEI ignition and Taylor wires light off the fuel mix.
The rest of the drivetrain is equally up to the task, with a B&M TH350 transmission and 3000-stall converter transferring power out back to a 12-bolt rearend. It's been fitted with Auburn 3.73 gears spinning on a Moroso Brute Strength posi. Lakewood traction bars make sure all that power is planted on the pavement with the help of BF Goodrich T/A radials mounted on classic Cragar SS wheels.
Turning his attention to the interior, Roland had the crew
at Sweet Dreams Street Machines lay in a new carpet set
before stretching the PUI seat covers into place and
installing new door panels. Meanwhile, he detailed the
console and the dash assembly before bolting them back into
place. Other than the addition of a Custom Autosound AM-FM
cassette stereo, the interior remains completely stock, and
that's the way Roland likes it. The only other planned
changes call for the installation of a full Autometer tach
and gauge package so he can keep track of what's going on
under the hood.
