Not to be confused with the band that took their name from it, the Chevelle started out as a mid-sized car with too many body styles to list here. Related to the El Camino and Monte Carlo thanks to the A-body platform, the rear-wheel-drive blast from the past is a favorite among restomodders and racers alike.
The 1969 model featured by Autotopia L.A. in their latest episode is harder to categorize but both the car’s backstory and the mods are to die for. The owner’s grandparents bought the car brand new and it’s been in the family ever since.
Matt’s father was a little skeptical at first, but as the build progressed, the old man gave the thumbs up to continue the all-motor build. “Eventually, I’ll hand it down to my son,” said a smiling Matt. Care to guess what hides under the hood?
First and foremost, the engine bay is as beautiful as the exterior of the car thanks to SEMA-like attention to detail. Originally a 307, the Chevelle now features a 454 that looks like an LS to the untrained eye. Coming courtesy of custom cylinder heads and FiTech fuel injection among others, this 7.4-liter motor cranks out 700 HP.
That’s 710 PS or 10 ponies short of the McLaren 720S mid-engine supercar, a very tempting proposition in a Chevelle. The N/A leviathan is joined by four-link rear suspension and tubular arms at the front, QA1 coilovers all around, and the pro-touring mods are backed up by strip-splaying performance. According to Matt, his one-of-a-kind build can easily pass the quarter-mile finish line in the low 10s.
Forgeline wheels in black, Wilwood brake calipers in red, drilled discs, and a fully-built trunk with high-fidelity audio hardware are a few of the other highlights. However, nothing prepares you for the interior of this 1969 Chevelle, sporting the dashboard from a 2015 model Camaro and a touchscreen infotainment system too.
Competition seats from a 2017 model Corvette Z06, a steering wheel that wouldn’t look out of place in a Pagani, and a roll cage that doesn’t render the rear seats useless are featured as well.
On that note, press play and enjoy the ride!
Matt’s father was a little skeptical at first, but as the build progressed, the old man gave the thumbs up to continue the all-motor build. “Eventually, I’ll hand it down to my son,” said a smiling Matt. Care to guess what hides under the hood?
First and foremost, the engine bay is as beautiful as the exterior of the car thanks to SEMA-like attention to detail. Originally a 307, the Chevelle now features a 454 that looks like an LS to the untrained eye. Coming courtesy of custom cylinder heads and FiTech fuel injection among others, this 7.4-liter motor cranks out 700 HP.
That’s 710 PS or 10 ponies short of the McLaren 720S mid-engine supercar, a very tempting proposition in a Chevelle. The N/A leviathan is joined by four-link rear suspension and tubular arms at the front, QA1 coilovers all around, and the pro-touring mods are backed up by strip-splaying performance. According to Matt, his one-of-a-kind build can easily pass the quarter-mile finish line in the low 10s.
Forgeline wheels in black, Wilwood brake calipers in red, drilled discs, and a fully-built trunk with high-fidelity audio hardware are a few of the other highlights. However, nothing prepares you for the interior of this 1969 Chevelle, sporting the dashboard from a 2015 model Camaro and a touchscreen infotainment system too.
Competition seats from a 2017 model Corvette Z06, a steering wheel that wouldn’t look out of place in a Pagani, and a roll cage that doesn’t render the rear seats useless are featured as well.
On that note, press play and enjoy the ride!