|
I have two 1970's. One is a numbers matching (engine and trans) Torch Red SS396. I purchased the car off the internet in Victoria, Virginia August 2002. The car had been shown in the late 80's early 90's and then garaged. I had the car shipped to Portland, Oregon where I immediately began restoring the car.
I rebuilt the original engine using a comp nostalgia series cam, roller rockers, ported and polished heads, ceramic coated eledbrock rpm intake, jet phase 3 quadrajet carb, msd distributer, msd balster coil, and 6AL iginition, ceramic coated headman headers, proformance oil pump, TRW forged pistons (30 over), and chrome alternator. I repainted the engine compartment and had any rock chips air brushed out. I installed new seat covers, headliner, carpet and had all the ivory interior plastic repainted. The car is a factory ivory bucket seat car with console shift. The car is equipped with a fully operational cowl induction hood and factory SS gauges grace the dash. I rebuilt the front end and installed Hotchkis front and rear sway bars and rear upper and lower control arms. I put on 17-inch American Racing 200S (coke bottle mags) with Goodyear tires. The tranny and rear were rebuilt about 500 miles ago. The car is incredibly fast and handles like a dream.
The car has done very well at the shows. In BC last year I took best Chevelle and Best Engine, at the ACES Northwest Regional I beat out 26 other 70's, including three 454 convertibles and one 396 convertible, to take best 70 Chevelle, at the Oregon Chevelle Show I took second place out of 23 for 70 Chevelle (I was beaten by a frame off 454 convertible), and at the Salem, Oregon Rod and Custom show I took first place for 70's modified muscle car. The car is gorgeous and gets thumbs up everywhere. In 1989 the car took first place at the 25th anniversary Muscle Car Nationals at Norwalk Raceway and took second place in 1991. Its a beautiful car and I intend to keep it that way.
As you can see I also have a 1970 SS396 El Camino. It isn't numbers matching but it has the original protecto plate and build sheet from Fred Gibb Chevrolet in La Harte, Ill (for those who know who Fred Gibb is). It has a 1971 396 block with 1970 heads. The car is a factory bucket seat automatic console shift with factory air and tilt steering.
The car is black on black with full SS gauge package. The car was born white with black stripes, but I intend to paint her torch red with black stripes to match big brother. I intend to make her stock other than the paint and ultimately use her to pull big brother to the shows. I haven't really started on her yet but you can bet good things are in store.Ken Valentine
ACES 05577
Oregon Chevelle Club 115
Photo Backgrounds of Ken's 70's are available here.
Previously Featured Chevelles & El Caminos
All features copyright, Team Chevelle
