It was a GM A-body conundrum back when Robert was hunting for a new project— he was actually looking for a GTO when this wicked 1969 Chevy Chevelle popped up on Craigslist.
But it was priced right and in fine condition, so Robert promptly struck a deal and took the Chevelle home.
When he bought the car, it was wearing orange paint with black stripes. Under the hood was a small block Chevy 350 backed by a Chevy TH350 transmission.
After a few years of enjoying the car as-is, Robert decided to change things up, starting with the motor.
“I purchased a 454 big block from a man that built it for jet boat racing,” Robert says. He and his father did the swap themselves, pulling the 350 and stuffing in the 454.
The engine features cast oval port heads, a Melling hydraulic flat tappet cam, COMP roller rocker arms, and an Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold with a Holley 770 Street Avenger carburetor.
The big block Chevy’s exhaust exits though ceramic-coated long tube headers, a Pypes X-pipe, and a pair of Flowmaster Super 40 mufflers.
Tuns out, the engine build was the easy part.
“My wife and I racked our brains trying to pick a color that would be unique,” Robert tells us. “We decided on 2013 Dodge Viper ‘Stryker Red’ Tri-Coat and we deleted the deck stripes.”
Paint and body work was handled by a friend of Robert’s, and he says the car has only been out of the paint shop for a few weeks.
“My wife and I enjoy this car for our car club (Coastal Hot Rodz) cruise-ins and car shows around eastern North Carolina,” Robert reports.
We’re glad to hear that Robert and his family are enjoying the Chevy—congratulations on being named our Top Fan Ride of October 2017!
Other fast specs on Robert’s 1969 Chevy Chevelle:
Brakes: Stock drums (rear), SSBC slotted disc conversion (front)
Transmission: GM TH350 with 3,000-stall TCI converter, operated by a B&M Megashifter
Rear End: 10-bolt Positraction with 3.73 gears
Chassis: Stock GM with Hotchkis handling package
Gauges: AutoMeter
Wheels: American Racing Torque Thrust with Goodyear Eagle tires
Here’s what Robert’s Chevelle looked like when he bought it.
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The 454 Chevy big block that now lives in Robert’s Chevelle was originally built for jet boat racing.
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This young man is my nephew and his passion has been car’s since birth. This particular car is beautiful and a testimony to his ability passed down to him by his dad.