Go Back   The Supercar Registry > General Discussion > Supercar/Musclecar Discussion


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:00 PM
SS427's Avatar
SS427 SS427 is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Pleasant Plains, IL
Posts: 10,137
Thanks: 2,659
Thanked 3,813 Times in 993 Posts
Default 69 Yenko Chevelle found

Annie and I make a living out of locating and restoring some very unique and rare cars for other people but have never been able to be proud to be the ones to purchase and own such a special car together. A couple of months ago Annie and I were blessed after purchasing this long lost 69 Yenko Chevelle.

It was found in the original owners garage, the same place it had sat unmoved and disassembled since the owner parked it there after a frontal accident in 1970 with only 19m miles on the clock. The car was originally sold from V.V. Cooke in Louisville and never left the area. Many people had tried to locate and purchase the car over the last 40 plus years but the owner always claimed he no longer had the car and did not know of its whereabouts. Even his next door neighbor who had lived next door all his life stood on his deck and watched us remove the car from its tomb and thought it was long gone many years ago. The original owner had just recently passed and the family contacted me about possibly having it restored or even selling it. My shop tech and I immediately jumped in his car and made the 5 hour drive to see the car and help the family move it from its resting place to a much safer and secure storage area. It took the better part of a day and a half to just gain access to the car to where we were able to move it out. Before we were even allowed to pull the car out we had to shore up the roof trusses as they were caving in. Once the car was safely secured the negotiations began.

Though some of the front sheet metal and associated hardware had disappeared as well as the wheels and tires. The original engine, KQ coded differential and most all other items were still with the car. The transmission had been stolen from another location many years ago but we have a lead on its whereabouts. The family believes they have the original paperwork on the car and is presently trying to locate it but regardless it is in the registry and is very real. Amazingly the exhaust, mufflers (though not usable) and all 4 of the original dated shocks, were still under the car!

Based on the condition of the garage, piles of junk on the car and the fact that it was sitting in 3”of water (from a very recent major storm) we suspected the worst but much to our surprise there was not a speck of rust anywhere on the car and the frame was remarkably clean. The raccoon feces was 2-3” deep in most places on the car but again to our surprise once we pulled the interior out there was no rust anywhere.

A couple of weeks later I entrusted Don Stowers to total confidentiality and together we made the trip back to Louisville, KY to pick up the car and all its contents and start the journey down the restoration road. Since Annie can no longer be exposed to major germs she only and immediately jumped in after my tech and I had given the car a thorough cleaning (wearing full body suits and respirators) and helped with the disassembly. She will also be taking an active role in its research and restoration which I intend to be the best that we have ever performed. I refuse to throw a bunch of reproduction parts on this car and will not cut corners. At least and for a change I will get to restore a car with NO rust anywhere. Absolutely sound sheet metal everywhere other than what got bent in the accident. It has 100% its original paint, glass and interior (though most of the interior and two pieces of glass are not usable). This is only the second 69 Chevelle I have ever owned and am excited to say the least. My one big regret was that I could not take procession of the car in time to put it in the Barn Find section of the MCACN show as this was a true barn find. The restoration cannot wait till next years show either as progress must get underway nights and weekends as our customer’s cars must come first and we would like to get the car done so Annie and I can enjoy it. She is very excited to get back into the car scene with one of her own again.

I would also like to thank those few people who I could confide in who helped me qualify this car before I bought it as well as those who helped in other ways and kept it totally quiet. I lost another huge find many years ago due to the word getting out so thanks for keeping quiet on this one! I could not have done this deal without Annie's help and blessing so a really big thanks to her!
Attached Images
          
__________________
Rick Nelson
Musclecar Restoration and Design, Inc
www.musclecarrestorationanddesign.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62r-6vgk2_8
specializing in (only real) LS6 Chevelle restorations

Last edited by SS427; 11-29-2018 at 10:21 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to SS427 For This Useful Post:
Bushman (01-22-2018), Damien (01-22-2018), GotGrunt (01-20-2018), HawkX66 (01-22-2018), Roy68ss (01-24-2018)
Attachments - The Supercar Registry vvcooke.jpg tn_IMG_8047.JPG tn_IMG_8044.JPG tn_IMG_8043.JPG
O Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
Click here to view all the pictures posted in this thread...
  #2  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:07 PM
EZ Nova EZ Nova is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 982
Thanks: 26
Thanked 211 Times in 126 Posts
Default

NICE!!!

Congrads you lucky ..............................
__________________
'58 Apache pick up
'78 Z28 4sp being restored
'70 W30 convert TRIBUTE
'78 Z28 32,000 survivor, Og Yellow paint, AC.
'69 CANADIAN Nova SS 396/350 hp
'67 CANADIAN Nova SS 427 10 sec. driver
'66 CANADIAN Nova SS Race Car
'61 CANADIAN Pontiac Bubble top 409+/4sp (SOLD)
'31 ALL STEEL Chevy P.U. GONE (EX-WIFES NOW)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:08 PM
scuncio's Avatar
scuncio scuncio is online now
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,427
Thanks: 2,368
Thanked 5,961 Times in 2,907 Posts
Default

Wow!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:26 PM
Steve Shauger's Avatar
Steve Shauger Steve Shauger is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 4,907
Thanks: 1,821
Thanked 6,077 Times in 1,321 Posts
Default

Rick and Annie, just awesome. It certainly has found the perfect home. Congratulations!!!!
__________________
Steve Shauger
The Supercar Registry
www.yenko.net

Vintage Certification™ , Providing Recognition to Unrestored Muscle Cars. Website:
www.vintagecertification.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:28 PM
302moz 302moz is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,268
Thanks: 9
Thanked 47 Times in 35 Posts
Default Yenko

Nice find Rick and Annie . Congratulations
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:37 PM
67ssonly's Avatar
67ssonly 67ssonly is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: kentucky
Posts: 77
Thanks: 8
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I heard of this car many years ago.Living in Louisville all my life I never thought it would be found and restored.Congratulations on a great find.
__________________
1967 Chevy II Super Sport
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-20-2018, 07:38 PM
bergy's Avatar
bergy bergy is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pennsylvania, Florida
Posts: 2,674
Thanks: 611
Thanked 1,113 Times in 327 Posts
Default

Great find!

#357868?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-20-2018, 08:05 PM
chevelleheart chevelleheart is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 666
Thanks: 2
Thanked 143 Times in 64 Posts
Default

Congrats to both of you and if the floors are any indication of condition,...you have a great body to work with ! Congrats again
__________________
Lately into Beaumont SD's, 66,67,68 and 69 , including a 69 2 Dr Post Beaumont , an L78 2 Dr Post Chevelle LS6 Chevelle's, LS6 and L78 El Camino and Camaro fan ! Also 2 Cdn Documented COPO's, a COPO Camaro and COPO Chevelle Love GM Products
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-20-2018, 08:11 PM
SuperNovaSS SuperNovaSS is online now
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 6,461
Thanks: 316
Thanked 619 Times in 323 Posts
Default

This is absolutely amazing! Could not have happened to nicer people. I look forward to seeing the progress.

Congrats!

Jason
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-20-2018, 08:14 PM
belker6 belker6 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LeClaire Iowa, "Home of the Pickers" TV show
Posts: 104
Thanks: 1
Thanked 22 Times in 10 Posts
Default

Wow Rick / Annie, that is a great piece to say the least. Looking forward to progress pictures. Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.