smith and gainer chevelle

[dbpg1212]

i am new to the site. our dealership is restoring the 70 smith and gainer chevelle. i was just wondering if anyone had any pics or info on this car. thanks

[Chevy454]

Sweet car...try this:

http://macomb.com/~ellis172/images/Chevy_Bible.jpg

[Mr70]

Welcome Cole.
Are you restoring it for Dave,or someone else?
One of the few remaining 1970 L-78 Chevelle Converts still among us..

[dbpg1212]

we are restoring it for dave. thanks for fixing the pics.

[Chevy454]

Hmmm...how cool would it be to get the "Smith & Gainer" Chevelle, the "Ray Allen" Chevelle, and "Red Alert", all at the Supercar Reunion...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Mr70]

I know Dave would really enjoy that.

http://macomb.com/~ellis172/images/Smith_&_Gainer.jpg

[dbpg1212]

i will try to post some progress pics this weekend. i think it will probably be at alot of shows next summer.

[Mr70]

:)

[Schonyenko2]

We've known Dave for quite a while. It was thought for a time that it was an LS6 car, but is actually an L78. He called last week and visited for a while. Says it's lookin good. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Musclecarkid]

Will it be restored as a drag car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[ORIGLS6]

It's a cool car with Truppi-Kling history. I've talked to Dave Ellis a number of times about the car and the possible restoration. Glad to see it's finally happening.

Please keep us posted as this progresses,........ and give Dave our best wishes. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Dave didn't really say. Mentioned that he was looking for someone to put the motor/trans in and get it running and wondered if we could do it. I told him probably in the spring, but if he needed the motor built, he could drop it off anytime. He sounded pretty happy that it was moving along well. Been a long time comin for him.

[dbpg1212]

it is being restored as the drag car, not sure about the lettering or decals. it will have the 454 emblems and a ls6 engine.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
it is being restored as the drag car...

[/ QUOTE ]
Excellent....

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Steven J]

http://macomb.com/~ellis172/images/Smith_&_Gainer.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


I took this photo at the US Nationals.

[MVCMC]

My best friend Dale Sheeks was the original owner of this car. His name is on the front fenders. He bought this car from Carl Schmidt Chevrolet in Perrysburg, Oh on 11/11/69. Carl Schmidt's son Bob used this car as a demo for his wife to drive. It was originally a 402/375hp car and had power windows. I have the original protect-o-plate or new vehicle warranty card. In 1980 I purchased from Dale the original engine, transmission, wheels & tires for a restoration I was working on. Dale first raced for Schmidt Chevrolet under the Sheeks & Smith Racing Team. I also raced my 1969 Chevelle SS396/375hp in B/S with the Sheeks & Smith Racing Team. If you follow the link and view the pictures you will notice the front bumper was from either a Monte Carlo or El Camino I'm not sure which now, but the car came that way from Chevrolet. So you so called experts out there what do you think of that! I'm glad Dave is restoring this car back as a race car, after all it was a national champion car. I just wished I could have talked Dave into restoring it in my shop, Dale & I would have had a blast doing it, but I think we were too far away. Good luck on the restoration and if you would like to pick our brains, we do specialize in LS6 Chevelles. Steve Wolfe - Maumee Valley Classics & Muscle Cars. Follow the link below for pictures

http://www.fototime.com/inv/773CC65A050E95A

[dbpg1212]

great story thanks for the info. the car is in unbelivable shape for being a race car all those years.

[Musclecarkid]

Steve W,

Like those old pics. I have the Truppi-Kling Chevelle web page. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[chevelleheart]

I'm in LOVE !!!!

[dbpg1212]

does anyone know how many l78 converts were made and how many are left?

[Mr70]

Only Chevrolet or Fisher Body can say for sure,and they don't even know or care.
To date none of their records have been found to say exactly.Experts like to extrapolate these numbers,but I don't accept that as an alternative.
They only installed the L-78 engine in 2144 Chevelles & Elcaminos during the first 90 days of 1970 production in the US,with none being assembled in Canada.The mass majority of those being 4 spd./3:55 equipped.They phased this engine out very early on the Chevelle,to allow the LS-6 to be produced.They did not want two solid lifter engines in the lineup.
I've always been intrigued with this car/engine combination-characteristics,and after decades of researching and tracking them,I have records of 211 of the 2144 made.Only 14 of them have turned out to be Cnvts...so far.
I have also found so far,that a total of 7 1970 L-78 Chevelles convt./hardtops were optioned with an Automatic transmission.
2 of those are convertibles,and Daves Chevelle is one of those convertibles.
Mine is one of the Hardtops.
Interesting too is Daves L-78 Convt.& my L-78 Hardtop were both built the same day,at the same plant,during the same shift,on the same assembly line with mine assembled 18 cars ahead of his.
There was an 1970 Aluminum head L-89 convertible out there that was claiming to be authentic for awhile,but after months of research and inquiries,it was proven to be false.The possible new owner of it was deceived and it was found to be fabricated by someone other the Chevrolet,and not even an SS car either.

[dbpg1212]

you guys really know your stuff! we knew this was a rare car but it sounds like it is more rare than an ls6. thanks for all your help.

[lwkitt427]

WAHT A GREA T PEICE OF HISTORY IT NEVER SEINCE TO AMAZE ME HOW MANY GUY KEEP THER RACR CARS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IT DOES THE HEART GOOD TO HEAR ABOUT A GUY WHO KEEP HIS CAR, AND DID NOT SELL IT ANS WISH HE HD IT BACK

[MVCMC]

Don't quote me on this, but I believe only 6 with automatics. Now add the fact this one had power windows it might be the only one! I have some data at my shop and I'll look it up and post the totals of both 4-speeds & automatics.

[bwag]

Hi Steve. I remember the car as being really heavy on options. We used it as a chase car more than once for the dealership when it was a demo. Once it took a trip to Booth-Arons shop with a trunk full of goodies to be worked on.Another time it went down Milan drag strip with the top down!! Trust me ,it got all the respect that a 19 year old could dish out. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Chevy454]

What's with all these '70 Chevelle drag cars with power windows around here lately...had folks gone "soft" by 1970?! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[dbpg1212]

these are great stories, this car has a great history. i will check the miles tomorrow, it sound like this car has been around. its hard to belive it still survives. i will keep you guys updated with the progress.

[Mr70]

Thank You for sharing your progress pictures with us Cole & Dave.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis1.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis2.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis3.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis4.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis5.jpg
Patches covering where roll cage was originally secured to floor.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis6.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis8.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis9.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/peterspix_2007/ellis10.jpg

[dbpg1212]

i just checked the miles 16955. does that sound right? i know it was driven to alot of shows in the 80s and 90s.

[lwkitt427]

NEAT PIC'S GREAT CAR

[dbpg1212]

here is a link to daves website. http://homepage.macomb.com/~ellis172/

[dbpg1212]

we have 2 front bumpers for the car, a chevelle bumper and the monte carlo bumper. there are also 2 rear valance panels one factory and one filled with lead.

[SOM2001SS]

Sweet Chevelle!

[dbpg1212]

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=1108&aid=525 Smith and Gainer chevelle to be at barrett jackson the 14th.

[hiperf406]

If this is such an important car why did they use a repop dash, there are places to get a real one.

[dbpg1212]

on the block today at barrett jackson.

[Xplantdad]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Barrett%20Jackson%202014/Thursday/tn_DSC_0131_zps42f549b7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Barrett%20Jackson%202014/Thursday/tn_DSC_0132_zps7239b133.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Barrett%20Jackson%202014/Thursday/tn_DSC_0133_zpsbb17ca3a.jpg

[Dave Rifkin]

Am I wrong or did the buyer steal that car?

[budnate]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dave Rifkin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I wrong or did the buyer steal that car? </div></div>

yea saw that also, left me wondering what the problem is/was?

[Schonyenko2]

What did it sell for?

[Mr70]

Dave tells me $71,500.00 w/buyers fee.

[Schonyenko2]

Thanks. I was hoping that Dave would hit a home run with the car.

[markinnaples]

At $65k before fees, that was a steal. Felt bad for the seller.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Ouch.

Right place right time.

Ryan

[SeattleCarGuy]

That was the best deal there. I couldn't believe it. I was predicting around $160,000.

[70chevelleman]

I know this is an old post but does anyone know what size rims, back spacing, and tires are on this car?