Frank had been looking for a new muscle car to keep him occupied after retirement and he had settled on acquiring a 1970 Chevelle SS. His son knew someone out of Eugene, OR who was selling one, so Frank took a look and decided to purchase.
He picked up this Chevelle right after it had received a complete repaint in the original code 10 Dover White, along with new black stripes as the icing on the cake. This example was a real SS and not a clone or tribute, as it had a protecto-plate that came with it. It did come included with a 396 big block, but it was not numbers matching original to the car, and it also came equipped with a TH700R4 transmission in place of the standard TH400.
Some of the notable factory options this 1970 Chevelle has are: cowl induction, 12 bolt posi rear end, and bucket seats with automatic console. Building on that base, Frank opted to swap out the non-original 396 with a built Prestige Motorsports 489 big block making about 550 hp, upgraded with a March serpentine belt system for reliability.
Other upgrades that Frank implemented into the build were a Vintage Air AC system, new FTI 700R4 transmission, Rod Davis radiator + fans, HydroTech brake booster, Yukon gear and axles, a set of ceramic coated headers and Magnaflow mufflers. The suspension has been completely upgraded with a set of RideTech front and rear coilovers along with a 4 link system in the rear. Wilwood slotted brakes on all corners help stop this Chevelle, and it wears a set of Rushforth wheels that are 19” up front and 20” in the rear, which shows off the upgraded brakes nicely.
Frank completed most of the work on this restoration out of his home garage, and he built it to be a driver. Even still, he enjoys showing it off at car shows and cars & coffee events. He even travels as far as 3.5 hours one way to attend certain meets.
He plans on continuing his attendance of various shows and meets with this 1970 Chevelle, and just generally enjoying the fruits of his labor. Now that the overwhelming majority of the work and restoration has been completed, he’s since picked up a 1969 RS/SS Camaro that he intends on putting the exact same equipment onto.
This Chevelle has been built to both show and go, and it does both admirably well. One can only imagine how the Camaro will turn out with Frank’s special touches.
