Chevrolet marketed the second-generation Chevelle for four years, but it rolled out so many updates that each model year was unique design-wise. The 1970 version is perhaps the most popular nowadays. Not only it's the best-looking model, but Chevy also built so many of them that they're actually easy to find. Fortunately, many of them get saved from the junkyard and turned into restomods with modern underpinnings.
This gray-painted Chevelle that just got featured by YouTube's "AutotopiaLA" is perhaps the best example of how you can turn a beat-up classic into a stunning piece of art on wheels. What sets it apart from other similar projects is the paint job. While many shops and owners go with bright, flashy finishes, this Chevelle proudly wears a gray suit.
Not only that, but the finish is of the murdered-out variety, as every single chrome element has been repainted to match the body. And I'm not just talking about the bumpers. The headlamp bezels, the grille accents, and the window frames are also gray now. However, the car rides on a set of bronze-painted Vossen wheels, so there's a splash of color to keep this Chevelle from being a monochrome car.
The gray theme continues inside the cabin, but that's not what makes this interior special. The dashboard has been redesigned, so it no longer sports the boxy look of the factory Chevelle. There's a more organic passenger-side section, a new instrument cluster with modern gauges, and a flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in leather.
The door panels have also been redesigned, while the transmission panel features a push-button selector. Nearly every surface is draped in gray leather with white stitching, while the headliner is covered in Alcantara.
Things become truly wild under the hood, where the Chevelle hides an LS2 V8. This engine was first introduced in 2005 on the Chevrolet Corvette, but it also found its way in the Trailblazer SS at some point. But this LS2 is notably different, mostly because it's paired to a supercharger. At 550 horsepower, it generates about 30% more grunt than its naturally aspirated, Corvette counterpart.
Paired to a four-speed automatic, the LS2 is quite brutal for the Chevelle and enables it to launch from zero to "really fast" in just a few seconds. And if you're a fan of loud, whining superchargers, you definitely need to check this one out with the volume knob cranked to 11. Hit play to watch this bad boy roll.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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