This is Kevin’s fathers 1969 Chevelle SS L78 in Daytona Yellow. He’s owned the car since it was brand new.
The story of the family’s ownership begins while his father was serving in the Vietnam War. He had seen pictures of these newest Chevelles in magazines while on tour, and after returning from duty this exact car was spotted on the dealer lot of Queen City Chevrolet in Cincinatti. It had actually been special ordered by someone else that had chosen not to ultimately buy it. The timing was perfect as well, as the 1970 models were hitting the dealership floor and garnering all of the interest while this Daytona Yellow Chevelle was off to the side of the lot.
It would be maintained as a daily driver until 1982 as it was retired when the engine blew. Other more pressing issues occurred in their lives, so the Chevelle sat in Kevin’s grandmother’s barn. As time went on, the condition of the Chevelle deteriorated but Kevin’s father continued to buy parts whenever he could spare, including replacement GM sheet metal as it was still available then.
Beginning in March of 2020 Kevin and his friend started a full frame-off restoration of his father’s 1969 Chevelle at their shop. Kevin is a body man so he was able to perform the majority of the work in-house. The Chevelle received a new trunk floor, inner and outer wheel wells, fenders, hood, roof skin & trunk lid, while he was able to save and retain the doors and rockers. Anything mechanical that could be replaced was with new parts, and so was all of the exterior trim & glass.
As the original L78 big block was lost some time in the mid-1980s, this 1969 Chevelle now sports a 450hp 502 crate motor paired to the original M21 Muncie 4-speed transmission, driveshaft, and 12 bolt 3.73 rear end. Supporting mods include an aluminum intake, Holley 750 CFM carburetor, MSD Ignition, and ceramic long tube headers. Body mounts have all been replaced, and stainless steel brake and fuel lines were swapped in place of the rusted originals.
“I had seen this car sit 3/4 of my life because I was 4 when it got parked and there is no better feeling than being the guy who restored it along with my Hero my Dad!”
A few special characteristics of this 1969 Chevelle include the Daytona Yellow paint, of which only 2800 SS models received. It is also quite uncommon for such a highly optioned car to be a bench seat car, as most owners opted for the bucket seat & center console arrangement. They were also able to reuse the original woodgrain steering wheel and Hurst shifter handle in the restoration project.
He’s excited to see his father finally enjoy this car after being off the road for 38 long years. The pair plan to attend cruise ins and road trips together in the 1969 Chevelle.
