Charlie found this 1970 Chevelle in an Auto Trader ad back in 1991. When he went to look at it, the Chevelle had a Buick 455 engine and matching transmission installed.
“The guy I bought it from lived next to a dirt racetrack and the rear plastic window was so stained with dust that you couldn’t hardly see out of it.”
This 1970 Chevelle currently has a proper Chevrolet 454 bored .060 over to a 468, with a stock stroke forged crank. It also utilizes a Crane Cam with .571/.585 lift .306/.314 advertised duration (.246/.254 @.050) hydraulic lifters, Brodix RaceRite oval port aluminum heads with 2.25/1.88 valves, Crane roller rockers and hardened pushrods with guide plates.
Charlie’s Chevelle also has an Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum intake, a FiTec EFI throttle body, & Doug Thorley 1-3/4 ceramic coated headers. The transmission is back to a TH400, with a 2400 stall torque converter and a shift kit. This all gets through to the ground via a 3.55 geared 12-bolt positraction rear end.
He’s also extensively worked and modified the rest of this 1970 Chevelle too. The frame has had all of the seams welded and painted to match, and several body panels such as the quarter panel to rocker panel seams and headlight panel to fender seams have had the same treatment. The factory door handles have been replaced with units from a ’98 Oldsmobile Intrigue and the trunk has been carpeted and paneled in with custom vinyl. His good friend Shane also did custom pinstriping recently.
Charlie’s currently working on replacing the convertible components such as the top itself, top cylinders, and the pump motor. In addition, he has a complete American Autowire kit for the car which he will be tackling at the same time as his complete interior refresh. One thing he would like to add in the future is an overdrive transmission for the old 1970 Chevelle.
