Johns’s parents and he ordered the 1970 Chevelle in May 1970 from Beardmore Chevrolet in Papillion, Nebraska (for $50 down and $98.35 payments per month for 36 months). They picked it up from the dealership when he was 15 years old.
The original agreement was when he graduated from high school in 1973 his parents would sell the car to him. That didn’t happen so he went and bought a new 1973 Chevelle. After he bought the 1973 Chevelle, he took it home and showed it to his Mom. He said here is your new car. Her response was no I want to keep my 1970 Chevelle.
The 1970 Chevelle took his wife of 47 years and him to 1972 prom, then in 1976, it brought their son home from the hospital. In 1980 he purchased the Chevelle from his Mom after his Dad died. In 1981 it brought their daughter home from the hospital. The Chevelle was at their wedding (with his parents driving) and at both of their kid’s weddings. Their daughter drove to their son’s wedding in 2005 and, their son drove to their daughter’s wedding in 2006.
He had always wanted to restore the 1970 Chevelle but also was the Promoter and a racing member of the Good Ol’ Time Racing Association for 20 years. So the restoration was put on the back burner. In 2016, it was put on the front burner when the bodywork was started on it and the interior. New paint went on in September 2021 (Autumn Gold again, which was the original color).
It has the original roof, doors, and floor pan and, everything else has been replaced thanks to 147,000 miles of Nebraska weather. We have all the original paperwork including, the protect-o-plate, the purchase order, even the in transits, but he never could find the build sheet.
Originally this car was a 350 ci 2 bbl carb with a 350 turbo transmission, no ac, no power steering, no power brakes. Modifications to the car include a 30 over 350 ci Edelbrock Performer intake, HEI distributor, 700 Holley 4 bbl carb, power disc brakes, new power steering with a sweet pump, and remote reservoir.
Transmission is a 350 turbo with a 2500 stall converter and shift kit. Aluminum radiator with twin electric fans. 2 ¼ inch dual exhaust with old school glass packs. He bought new 15 x 8 and 15 x 4 Rally wheels with the short disc brake center caps. Originally was a bench seat car, now it has factory bucket seats and console. It does have a big block hood and an SS bumper – not trying to “clone” it, he just likes those things.
One of the things on his bucket list was to take the Chevelle to their newly opened Quasar Drive-In Theater after it was painted. That happened in October 2021 to see American Graffiti. There are still some finishing touches that need to be done but will it ever be completely finished?! One of the things he would like to add is air conditioning. It is a driver and for fun – not a show car.
The best thing is, it’s one a family-owned car! The Chevelle will be passed down to the next generation when he’s done with it.
