#7729
V8 Staff
Keymaster

Larry adds:

“I wasn’t actively looking for a replacement thirty years later but when I happened to run across a ’66 Marina Blue SS396 I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to own one again. I happened to run across a true 138 car that had a disassembled ’67 396 replacement engine and it was missing the transmission. I had a spare Muncie transmission at home under the workbench and the car had a buy me NOW price. The body was nice looking just as it was. The plan was to put the motor back together add the transmission and GO, I should have it running in under two months, or so I thought. If I had stuck to my original plan I would now have a running SS396 with very little invested.”

“I started working on the car right away. I pulled the front end off the car to detail under the hood and make engine installation easier. One thing led to another and before I know it the body is on a rotisserie and the frame is at the powder coater. I took the body to a body shop to correct some minor problems from rust and previous repair. In the meantime I worked on the engine-undercarriage. Less than a year later I had a powder coated frame setting on a disc brake, air bagged frame. A full roller, Brodix headed 396 bored to 402 with a Richmond five speed overdrive transmission setting in the frame was ready to roll. “

“It was at this point two other large projects forced their way into my priorities. The first was a building overhaul for a nicer place to work on the Chevelle. I would have a little time for this project since the chevelle was fill in work for the body shop. The second project that forced its way into my life was the hauler for “Mr. Chevy”. That is a complete other story, so much so that I wrote a book about it. Health problems, a change of ownership, and shift of priorities changed the situation at the body shop also. Before I know it eight years have passed and it is now time to re-focus on the Chevelle.

As I re-entered the Chevelle project I contacted Kelle and Kevin Oeste, the owners of V8 Speed & Resto who did a fantastic job bringing Mr. Chevy’s hauler back to life. After assessing the start of the project and visualizing the objective, it was decided to completely replace the lower rear half of the body.

One thing that I have noticed since I have started the Chevelle project again is the bigger selection of restoration parts. I had a list of parts that were not available from suppliers of restoration parts that I would have to keep an eye for at swap meets, parts that would be used but better than what came with the car. I have come to realize that I will be able to build a better car, easier. The Chevelle is being built to look like an original car with some upgrades to make it a comfortable, reliable, muscle car it is.”

We look forward to bringing the ‘66 back to life for Larry and invite you to follow along here!

Kevin Oeste