A true ground up restoration, this 1969 Chevelle SS396 needed a lot of TLC when Randy began the restoration process in 2004, a process which took approximately 4 years. Much of the body needed to be replaced and worked, as it was missing the front end, and the trunk & quarter panels were badly damaged.
The Chevelle did come with the original SS hood, but it was in driver quality condition. He wound up replacing both missing fenders as well as the quarter panels, trunk floor, and tail lamp panel due to the damage.
To further complicate matters, there was no engine included with the Chevelle. Fortunately, he sourced an L78 396/375hp engine to transplant, paired to a TH400 transmission with a 2400 stall converter. The L78 is modified with a roller cam and it has original cast iron heads. It has a high rise intake with a Holley Street Avenger carburetor on top.
Due to the poor condition of the body, the interior suffered deterioration. Randy says that he was able to salvage the rear seats, but not the front buckets, they were of the wrong style regardless. It goes without saying that carpet, headliner, door panels, and just about everything else on the interior needed replacing.
“My first car at age 16 was a 1972 Chevelle Malibu which I’m currently restoring now.”
Randy
Stopping power was restored via a factory style front power disc brake kit. All of the factory front end suspension and steering components also needed to be sourced for the restoration.
His plans with this Chevelle SS? To take it to local car shows and meets, eventually passing the car onto his son. Once Randy’s original 1972 Chevelle Malibu is restored, that will go to his daughter when the time is right.
