TC member #965 - Steve Petzer
I started searching for a 1969 Chevelle SS convertible starting in early February of 1998. I soon realized that the cars were hard to find and was resigned to the fact that in order to find the right car it would require an out of state and long distance search.
By luck my 1977 El Camino sprang a leak in the gas tank in August of 1998. A local shop was recommended that could repair the hole. I took numerous trips to that shop to deliver, check on, and eventually retrieve my gas tank. During those visits I struck up a conversation with the owner of the small shop. We discussed our likes for older cars and I noted my interest in 1969 Chevelles (though I did not mention my desire for a convertible). The owner made me aware that he had a 1969 Chevelle that he had for sale, and yes, it was a convertible. I asked if I could see the car and he agreed that I could come by his house over the weekend. It turns out after all my long distance searching that this car was garaged 15 miles from where I lived. When I arrived that weekend to see the car I was surprised to find the car partially disassembled. The present owner, after spending time and money to collect new parts for the car had come to the realization that the car was too much for him to take on and thus was selling the car. I found quite a lot of papers and documents in the glove box and asked if I could take it home and review. The owner said I could.
Once I was home I looked through the documents and was surprised to find the original purchase documents for the car. The car was bought from Dominion Chevrolet here in Richmond on 09/05/69. I had the original purchase agreement, check list, and protect-plate all still in the glove box after 29 years and five previous owners. The purchase agreement gave me the first clue as to owner information and I was able to find the original owner's phone number in the white pages of our local phone book. When I called, the person who answered the phone informed me the original owner now lived in Atlanta and I was actually speaking with his Dad. He gave me his son’s phone number and I was able to contact him. He was able to provide a great deal of detail about the car and whom he sold the car too. I was able to track down and speak to every owner of the car except one over the next three days. By that third day I had a good history of the car and significant documentation that this car was a true 1969 Chevelle SS convertible. Surprisingly the car was for the most part unmolested and numbers matching. I purchased the car in September of 1998, 29 years after it was first sold to the day.
The restoration process took one month short of nine years to complete. We made every effort to bring this car back to its original glory including a frame off restoration. In the process of restoration we found two build sheets and they were added to the large amount of original documentation found initially with the car. Every part and component of the car was removed, rebuilt, painted, or replaced if we were unable to salvage. The car was put back on the road in August of 2007. The original owner traveled from Atlanta to see the completed car. He had sold this car back in the late 70s. He also brought his Dad who was the first person back in 1998 that I had contacted about this car.
The car includes a NOM 396/350 HP, .355 positraction rear, and Muncie M-20 transmission. There were not many options on this particular car. It was built for performance and driving. This is a local Richmond, Virginia car, purchased at Dominion Chevrolet, and has remained in the Richmond area all of it’s life. I take pride that this one will stay in the Richmond area in the future as well.
Lastly, this car would never have been completed without my wife and kids involvement, support, and patience over the nine year restoration project. Beth, Justin, and Nikki were always as excited as me in each stage of the restoration process. They always looked forward to seeing the Chevelle as it progressed from an initial shell to an actual completed car. We always knew that this was going to be a special car when completed and it is.
Steve
The Chevelle performing Wedding Duties in 1979
