1969 Chevelle SS 396 (L-78) Burnished Brown 300 Deluxe

[bbl78]

For Sale
1969 Chevelle SS 396 (L-78) 300 Deluxe

• Code 61 (Burnished Brown)
• Engine is a 396 (L-78) 375 hp
• Original Protect-O-Plate
• Muncie 4 speed Transmission
• 4:10 Posi 12 Bolt Rear KK code
• Original 750 Holley Carb

Frame off restoration original 69 SS chevelle, disc Brakes in the front and drums in the rear. The interior was restored to its original 300 Deluxe Black color code. Original Factory 6,500 redline tachometer and Gauges with Clock delete,. The car was painted in its original color code (61 61) Burnished Brown paint. This car has been garaged kept the entire time that I have owned it. The car has 79,733 miles on the dash. Date coded correct Holley 4bbl, heads, distributor, and alternator.

NCRS Historic Document Services shipping records

• GM official production date was 03/21/1969
• Original delivery dealer (dealer code 555 in zone 32)
• Norwood Motor Company (Warwick, Rhode Island)
• Documentation that will be provided with the car, clear Title, Protect-o-Plate and partial build sheet.



SOLD.... Enjoy Regan

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Photos will be very helpful.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Sounds like a beauty also a lot like this car from Kissimmee 2015:hmmm:
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0115-204005/1969-chevrolet-chevelle-ss/

Best of luck w/ the sale and welcome aboard!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[ruralrte66]

Oh Man what a cool car, is it a sedan?

Gregg

[bbl78]

This car has been across the block at Barrett Jacksons & Mecum in Florida.
Pictures on the way

[bbl78]

Just uploaded some pictures.

[the427king]

I believe the car was in CT for a long time .

[Charley Lillard]

I'm not clear on if it has it's orig. engine. ??

[Mr70]

I read it does not,based on the Mecum ad wording.

[bbl78]

Thanks for the info... It was originally sold in Warwick RI, so that makes sense.

[bbl78]

Yes, It has the original numbers matching engine & trans.

[PeteLeathersac]

Thanks for the info... It was originally sold in Warwick RI, so that makes sense.

Warwick RI Norwood Chevrolet's Mel Perry converted a Burnished Brown L89 car to L88 power, could it be?:hmmm:
Pic below is from one of these thread links, where's Helmut and ACDelco?

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141828

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127327

:beers:
~ Pete


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[chevelleheart]

Now that would be interesting

[the427king]

I owned the car in the 90s if it is the same car...sounds like it although it was framed off later on in ct as well

[bbl78]

Warwick RI Norwood Chevrolet's Mel Perry converted a Burnished Brown L89 car to L88 power, could it be?:hmmm:
Pic below is from one of these thread links, where's Helmut and ACDelco?

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141828

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127327

:beers:
~ Pete


.
Wow! Love the pict.... Not sure if it's the same car, but it sure does look like it. Love the fact that it's an L89 optioned chevelle in Burnished Brown.... Thanks for sharing

[PeteLeathersac]

'

The Burnished Brown L88 car may already be known but Members ACDelco also Helmut who owns the Black L88 Norwood car in the linked threads would be the ones to ask.
Whatever your car, very cool it's from Norwood Motors as they were a relatively unknown Supercar Dealer until more of what they and Mel Perry were doing has surfaced in recent years.
The below pics of the Brown car including WS from the linked thread may be enough for you to know whether your car or another?
Equipment may be similar but note open element air cleaner also WS upper line Model is Malibu 2Dr. Hardtop where wouldn't a 300 Hardtop be indicated as a Chevelle?:hmmm:
Again, very cool car no matter what!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

'

:beers:

.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

:beers:

,

[bbl78]

This looks like the BB 69 in those picts to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHdEkRTqvRY

[bbl78]

More pics uploaded

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Looking at the update pics and 34 of the 134379G336588 Vin, again the Norwood L89 car is probably a 36 Vin w/ Malibu noted on the WS?
If there were two Norwood B'Brown cars, it would be nice to compare build dates and other details also if your #'s engine not the actual original, there's a chance it was originally a Mel Perry 427 conversion car too?
I love the car & color + being from Norwood Mtrs. but to be fair to anyone considering it, the cowl air system was added since this 2010 Scottsdale sale listing...
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1969-CHEVROLET-CHEVELLE-300-DELUXE-2-DOOR-SPORT-COUPE-81906
Again, we need Helmut to drop in also ACDelco as he really had some awesome info on what was happening @ Norwood Motors back in the glory years.
:beers:
~ Pete

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[NorCam]

Sent a msg to Helmut through FB. He's at the lake this past week.

[CamaroNOS]

Damn I like it!

A lot of people hammer on that color, but in my books, that is JUST FINE.

Hell of a deal!

Paul

[bbl78]

I appreciate the positive words Paul. This is my favorite color and in the sun it looks awesome... Have another 69 with the same color code.

[olredalert]

----Also a big fan of Burnished brown or Espresso brown in 69 Pontiac language......Bill S

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Earth tones are my jam!!

Love Burbished Brown!!

Ryan W31

[mockingbird812]

----Also a big fan of Burnished brown or Espresso brown in 69 Pontiac language......Bill S


Isn't the Poncho name the coolest Bill!!! Way ahead of its time before espresso became so popular!!

[bbl78]

I really appreciate the deep dive questioning into the L78's history. I purchased the car from ( WNY Dream Cars ) out of West Seneca, NY in 2015. I don't have the restoration history on the car, only the information that was provided at the date of sale. The previous owners of the car was ( Loria Select Motors Inc. / Cooper Corvettes & Performance ).

[bbl78]

Yes, it seems that WNY Dream Cars had the cowl air intake installed. I believe that it would be the correct piece, if it is the sister car to the monaco orange 300 deluxe L78 that sold at the Sotheby's auction in Hilton Head (2015).

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hh15/hilton-head/lots/r0019-1969-chevrolet-chevelle-ss-300-deluxe-l78/566704

[bbl78]

Please continue the archeological dig on this car. Any and all information will only help broaden the history of these beautiful cars. Thanks for all your help..... Dave

[Sean]

I looked at that car back in 04-05 it was offered to me but was not into the brown color at the time. Great car IMHO.

[bbl78]

Thanks for your input Sean. Hmm, that was in 05 and leads me to ask. Aside from the cowl intake, was the cars restoration the same as it sits today?

[L78M22Rag]

'

Looking at the update pics and 34 of the 134379G336588 Vin, again the Norwood L89 car is probably a 36 Vin w/ Malibu noted on the WS?
If there were two Norwood B'Brown cars, it would be nice to compare build dates and other details also if your #'s engine not the actual original, there's a chance it was originally a Mel Perry 427 conversion car too?
I love the car & color + being from Norwood Mtrs. but to be fair to anyone considering it, the cowl air system was added since this 2010 Scottsdale sale listing...
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1969-CHEVROLET-CHEVELLE-300-DELUXE-2-DOOR-SPORT-COUPE-81906
Again, we need Helmut to drop in also ACDelco as he really had some awesome info on what was happening @ Norwood Motors back in the glory years.
:beers:
~ Pete

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Hey guys, I checked out this thread before the Norwood discussion started, so I missed all this. Thanks for pointing it out to me Graeme. The Burnished Brown L89 sold at Norwood Motors and converted to an L88 by Mel Perry had a 136 VIN as Pete was thinking, so this is not the same car. The BB L89/L88 also had a black bench, 4-speed and rear antenna.

This Chevelle looks killer in Burnished Brown. Was it for sure a Norwood sold car? GLWS, eh!

[bbl78]

Thanks for the info Pete. Wish that it was the (1 of 8) L89 134 cars... Helmut, This was a FM built car, but I'm not sure of the dealership that it was ordered from or delivered to. Thanks again for the information that you guys have provided. Absolutely, love the history of these cars.

[chevelleheart]

Wicked car none the less!

[olredalert]

Thanks for the info Pete. Wish that it was the (1 of 8) L89 134 cars... Helmut, This was a FM built car, but I'm not sure of the dealership that it was ordered from or delivered to. Thanks again for the information that you guys have provided. Absolutely, love the history of these cars.

----Try to check Frost Chevrolet in Wellesley Hills Ma. I think they sold at least 2 COPO's...…..Bill S

[Sean]

Thanks for your input Sean. Hmm, that was in 05 and leads me to ask. Aside from the cowl intake, was the cars restoration the same as it sits today?

From what I can see "Yes" but if I remember it was sitting way high front and back. Everything matched on the car as well.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

So you're saying the Delivering Dealer isn't known after all?:hmmm:
If you haven't tried for an NCRS report yet, they have the DD info for most Camaros/Chevelles/Novas available @ this link...
https://www.chevymuscledocs.com
Thanks for popping in Helmut!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[bbl78]

Thanks for the info Pete... I'll definitely try to get the NCRS report.

No, not sure of the dealer. The car also has a ( Utica class winner decal on the window )?
More questions about the car than I have answers.

[Sean]

I tried to get NCRS report but no luck back then and a few other areas of digging and research. I remember at first it was claimed to be a copo which peaked my interest and jumped at it.

I actually found some more info of my contact with the guy back then kind of file saver here and his email address and phone number.

[bbl78]

I've reached out to NCRS in the hopes of getting the dealership delivery info. They said it would or could take up to 4 weeks. The more info, the better. Fingers crossed.

[Steve Shauger]

I've reached out to NCRS in the hopes of getting the dealership delivery info. They said it would or could take up to 4 weeks. The more info, the better. Fingers crossed.


They have/had an express option which was $100 and they could email/fax the information same day and then follow up with a mailed letter. The standard was $50 and usually took a week or so.

[bbl78]

Thank you Steve... I just received my NCRS shipping data report and I have attached the information that they have provided. I believe that the address for dealer was
Norwood Motor Co
1338 Post Road
Warwick, RI

[bbl78]

I just wanted to update the information on this car. I have just got off the phone with the original owner Frank Hartle Jr. He is the original owner who bought the car new in 1969 from Norwood. He has also informed me that the car that I own was originally an L89 (aluminum head) chevelle from the factory.

He recently commented on Patrick Glenn Nichols Burnished Brown L89 find. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyaCFS1j1Ig

Frank Hartle Jr.
2 weeks ago
"Unbelievable! I’m 72 and in1969 I bought an identical car down to the color from Norwood Chevrolet in Providence RI. They were the Yenko of the Northeast. On the showroom floor was this car plus a station wagon with a 427 and a Camaro with a L88 427. Being newly married I thought the Chevelle made more sense. Sure. I was 22 and making big money as an commercial aircraft mechanic. The salesman explained that the Chevelle had what he called a taxi cab body. No power anything, cardboard door panels, and no carpet just rubber mat. Once I signed for it they took it to the service department and put El Camino front coils in, ladder bars and air bags under it, and electric fuel pump. Of course all that was rolled into the financing. Some weeks I made more money street racing with that car than at work. I won’t go into why I gave that car up except to say I handed my Man Card over to the wife. Thanks for the flashback Patrick."

SO EXCITED!!!! What a great weekend!

[mprice]

If it was originally an aluminum head car it wouldn't have had an engine suffix code of JD that you show in the pictures, if that is the protector plate it wasn't an aluminum head car from the factory.

[L78M22Rag]

Congrats on finding your car's original owner and history. It appears Mel Perry gave your Chevelle some of his modifications before the car went out the door. Keep digging. Hopefully the original owner still has some documentation (build sheet, POP, photos, etc.) to support what options the car was originally assembled with, and the modifications he says were made by Norwood Motors.

Here's the thread on my 1969 L89 Chevelle that received Mel Perry's modifications at Norwood Motors, according to the original owner.
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141828

I like how you modified your asking price to NFS!! She's a keeper.

[bbl78]

The original owner (Frank) said that the engine had been removed and that it originally did have aluminum heads. The stamping on the cars pad looks like it's original? But, may be a re-stamp? The original owner said that the engine stayed in the family and he has reached out to that family member to see what had happened to it. Frank said that the car came with ladder bars and el camino front springs from the dealership. He said that the air cleaner plenum was incorrect to the car and so were the side stripes. He commented on Patrick's post of the L89 because of the obvious similarities.

[bbl78]

Thank you for sharing your info Helmut. I love the information and history on these cars. I'll share any additional information that the original owner provides.

[SuperNovaSS]

That is great news that you found the original owner and he confirmed what the car is. I was surprised nobody said anything sooner, both the engine and transmission are restamps. I didn't want to be bashing in a for sale thread or be the first to say something.


Jason

[Mr70]

Then how do you explain this?
Because it contradicts what the original owner said & looks authentic to me.

[bbl78]

Hmm, confused as well. The protect-o-plate information with the engine code JD is contradicting with what the original owner claims the car had (aluminum heads). I'm not an expert with period correct protect-o-plates, but this one looks original. The original owner (Frank) claims that the address was correct at that time. We have just started our conversations and I'll compile these and many more questions the further I dig. Thank you all for joining in and provided any and all input.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Awesome update and congrats on tracking down the OO!
Exactly as you guys noted, the POP has a 'JD' Iron Head L78 Suffix, not KG/KH/KI as an L89 would.
If POP the original, maybe the Alloy heads were dealer added @ Norwood?:hmmm:
Such a cool car!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[bbl78]

So, struggled sleeping last night.... Couldn't shut down my thoughts. First thing this morning I went down to my shop and pulled the valve covers. Here are the casting dates and numbers that I uncovered.

-Drivers side ( 3919840 ) = 375hp (396) / Dated - A 22 9 ( January 22, 1969 )
-Pass side ( 3919840 ) = 375hp (396) / Dated - A 28 9 ( January 28,1969 )

With a production date of the chevelle being 3/21/69, these numbers seem to be at least correct for the time period and would match with the engine. (curious) ??

[Mr70]

Absolutely.

[bbl78]

The engine block casting date, which I located on the pass side just above and in front of the starter reads - A 30 9 ( January 30, 1969 ), best as I could make out. Very rough casting and time hasn't been kind to it. I used a piece of aluminum to capture the impression after trying a pencil to shadow transfer onto paper. Between the two images I could make out the date. So, looks like it was cast just a few days after the heads. The heads and block castings seam arguably close enough to be paired together upon assembly. Anyone out there with information on Tonowanda's assembly procedures, your input would be very much appreciated.

[the427king]

The heads and block castings seam arguably close enough to be paired together upon assembly

They could have been "paired" date wise at any point in the past 50 years as well as at the assembly plant.

[bbl78]

Thank you for the response 427 king... Who would be better informed to provide me with that information than an engine collector/seller. Thx

What are your thoughts on the stamped engine pad? Is it difficult to recreate that type of weathered appearance? The original owner claims the car to be an L89, but all of my documentation proves otherwise.

You had mentioned that you may have owned the car back in the 90's. Do you have any old photo's or information? Trying to piece the owner history together and figure out who did the restoration? and when?

[the427king]

Not sure if it is the car I had mentioned . It didnt have a POP at the time but had a very partial buildsheet about the size of a credit card or so. Someone in CT was selling it on ebay years ago after they restored it.

[bbl78]

Had a few conversations with the original owner. Currently, he has just become a new member to the site (LUVNLIFE). So, please wish him a warm welcome. Hopefully he'll comment on this, his original car and he may shed some light on other Norwood preparerd cars. I love the information that he has shared with me about the Chevelle and his time with it. He has first hand info about the dealer installed performance items that Norwood installed. Thanks again for any and all info....

[LUVNLIFE]

Thank you for the introduction bb178. I am the original owner of his L78 69. You can only imagine my surprise when answering the phone to have the gentleman on the other end say he had my Chevelle. Within a couple of days of 50 years since I purchased it! The second surprise since watching Patrick Glenn Nichols YouTube of the same car I once had. I will give you my history with the car.
My father was the top Buick salesman in the tristate area of Pittsburgh. Right after starting my aircraft mechanic job at 19 I ordered a 67 GS400. Only power brakes and a special order 430 rear end. My uncle also worked at Samson Buick and we installed a Stage 1 kit the next year. With the cam, metering rods, modified accelerator pump, quick ignition curve, and headers, that car was fast.
Well with getting engaged and pressure from multiple sources I sold that car and bought a used Skylark convertible. With the bride to be back in Pittsburgh I transferred to a line station in Providence RI. I lived in a historic old boarding house that has the address on the POP. Down the street was Norwood Chevrolet.
Now after having a fast car the Skylark was not getting it but I did not like the look of the 69 GS. Walking into the showroom I gaze upon a station wagon with the hood up and a 427 installed. Next to it was what looked like a plain Jane Camaro with an L88. And then there was this Chevelle. I had heard about the L78 and even being young and dumb I knew I would kill myself in that Camaro. So I start talking to the salesman explaining how fast my Buick was but wanted something faster. Now I don’t know if it was Mel Perry and never heard of Motion Performance but he walked me to what I believed to be the service department and a couple of service techs and he told me what they could do to that Chevelle to make it launch better. After agreeing to the mods and signing for it the brown Chevelle was wheeled into the shop and given El Camino front coils, 60/40 shocks, ladder traction bars, air bags, and an electric fuel pump. Techs said I would have to install my own headers as they couldn’t mod the exhaust. What? Anyway all that was rolled into the financing. After the headers, slightly bigger jets in the Holley, ignition curve all in by 2200 with 38* total and the rockers adjusted to just quiet that car would wind up like my old short stroke camed up 265. In a short while we moved back to Pittsburgh and I started street racing in earnest. I babied that car till a race was on. I would only run for $100 and some weeks made more than my airline paycheck. Wait, once ran for $60 cause that’s all this kid with the tri power goat cold get up. That time there was an arrest for drag racing, pay offs to authorities, and more for another time. That car never was beaten on the street and I went up against 440 six packs and such. It got to the point that the car was so well known that I couldn’t get a race within a 30 mile radius no matter how many EatnParks or burger joints I cruised.
Now I know there are questions about my claim to have aluminum heads and the data plate being different. I’m a 22 year old kid, an aircraft mechanic, I can turn wrenches but have no idea what I have with these silver heads till it is explained to me. They modified a lot of cars there and this obviously was one. Were they intending to race it? All I know is Mel or whoever he was recommended that I paint them Chevy Orange. I payed a lot of money for a bare bones car but was never disappointed. I’m afraid to tell you why I got rid of that car but you people around my age (72) probably also have regret over some of the machines that you let go. I was just a kid, you know there is always another out there. Little did I know it was the dawn of the end of the super era.

[L78M22Rag]

Welcome to the site Frank, and thank you for that delightful and informative post!

[mockingbird812]

Welcome aboard Frank! Love your rich story. Where did u live in Pgh? Ever go to the drag strip with it? More stories, please!!!:3gears:

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Welcome Frank!!

Love original owner info and stories.... this is what it’s all about for me!!!

The whole group on here would love to know all the details.

Ryan W31

[L78M22Rag]

Frank, did you happen to come across this black Chevelle at the Norwood Motors dealership or on the streets of Rhode Island?

This Chevelle was originally assembled at the Framingham plant as an L89 (a couple of months after yours, in May of 1969) and was converted at Norwood Motors to an L88 (along with this noticeable wheel/tire combination and other mod's) before the original owner drove it off the lot on June 21, 1969.

Also... did your Burnished Brown Chevelle leave the dealership with the factory wheels or ???

http://i.imgur.com/p2LxNs3.jpg (https://imgur.com/p2LxNs3)

[LUVNLIFE]

Sam, I grew up in a coal mining town north of Pittsburgh called Wildwood. Lived in Bakerstown during the years I had the Chevelle. Never took it to the strip like I did with the Buick.
Helmet, beautiful machine. I was only in RI a short time before we returned to Pitt. Off the lot with factory wheels. I never went back to Norwood after the sale. Knowing what I do now about that place I would have liked to hang out, maybe volunteer as pit crew with them. While the car was being prepped they were generous with tips on power timing, ignition, jetting and such. The salesman made the comment that I had a special car. If only I had known then how special it really was.
So, my friend Tom usually rode shotgun when we cruised as he was doing the night we pulled into the Washington Blvd EatnPark. There was the usual assortment of muscle cars as was the norm in those days but one car stood out. An all black GTO which sat almost as high as my car. Quite a few people were gathered around it looking under the hood. Of course every one turned as we entered, on cruise nights I only had one bolt on each side loosely holding the exhaust to the collector. We parked and joined the admirers at the goat. It was a sweet looking car with tripower. After small talk Tom my negotiator made the $100 challenge. The most the owner could come up with was $60 after borrowing part of it. Only took a minute to open the headers.Tom went with a friend of the GTO who was holding his money. We drove out to the Highland Park Bridge with the whole parking lot following us. He was on my left side as we lined up. His girl friend was going to give us a 3 count. She gave me a quick count, 1-23 and he pulled a hole shot on me. SOB, I dumped the clutch and that Chevelle raised up, no squat and just rocketed forward. I got to the end of the bridge and pulled across both lanes as he rolled up. My friend a rather large individual was immediately at the other drivers door. He apologized, payment was made and then he ask if we could run again down route 28 since we were both going that way. My mistake. We swung onto 28 towards Etna with the whole pack of cars following. Of course I smoked him again and continued on. Tom yells “there is something going on back there. Head lights swerving and a red flashing light”. Well directly I have a cop on my butt and I’m not outrunning him with my gears. I pull over and he charges up to my door. “Your friends back there tried to block me but a couple of shots scattered them! I got the other guys tag, your under arrest. Follow me”. Now in Pennsylvania they had passed a strict drag racing law due to all the kids killing themselves. Impound your car, $1000 fine, and a years suspension of your license. I follow this cop to a magistrates place. He says $1000 bond. Cost you $60 for 1000 and you can go till the hearing. I had just won $60 so no problem. Figured the 60 went in his pocket. Tom and I go to our local Winkies burger joint and tell our story to the locals. A fellow I know there says his uncle is a constable over there. See what he can do. Well by the time the hearing came word got to me to bring $100 and it would go away. Tom and I drive up to the magistrates office on the appointed night and the GTO is already there. Same cop comes out leans in my window and says “you ready”. Me being a little slow I just stare at him till Tom gives me a shove and I hand over the hundred. Same thing to the GTO. Cop goes inside and he and the magistrate start screaming at each other about who should get the bigger cut. BS I say and start the car to leave. Again Toms cooler head made me stop. We get called inside and the magistrate gives a lousy acting job of how he will be magnanimous and let us off with the warning to never come thru Aspinwall again.
Then there was the fellow who broke down in tears after spending $2000 on performance parts on his 440 six pack only to get beat.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Missed this yesterday, W:eek2:W stuff and welcome aboard Frank!
The whole Norwood Motors/Mel Perry thing is amazing already but extra cool w/ two Norwood Modified '69 Chevelle Original Owners dropping by here now.
Great stories Frank and looking forward to more!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[mockingbird812]

Great stuff Frank! You lived the dream with one bad-a** Chevelle! Thanks for sharing your stories! Any other stories you want to share would be welcome ‘round here!:biggthumpup:

BTW - had a Olympic Gold ‘69 L78/M21/4.10 Chevelle from Colussey Chev in Bridgeport (originally owned by an airline pilot) - they were a smaller hi po dealer back then.

[LUVNLIFE]

One more. Some may be upset with what I’m going to say I did to that car. I’m on our little farm in Bakerstown one day finishing up my modification to the hood. I had removed the reinforcing from under the hood and was left with just a stamped piece of sheet metal. A fellow from our sheet metal shop at work had fabricated braces for the underside that allowed the hood to maintain its normal shape. Probably shaved 50 or 60lbs. Was mounting it on 4 pins when up the driveway rolls this 69 Road Runner, ugly green with black wheels and no hub caps. Out of the passenger side comes Mike a guy married to my wife’s best friend from high school. He introduces me to the Plymouth’s owner who just bought the car. It was a 440 Six Pack with plain interior, rubber floor mats, 410 rear and 4 speed. Owner tells be he is taking it to Marvin’s Speed Shop in Evans City for some upgrades. I tell him when he gets it back I’d love to blow his doors off. Now I’m sure he saw my air cleaner that said 375HP and knew he had 390. What he didn’t know was how seriously under rated Chevys HiPo motors were.
About 3 weeks later he and Mike pull into the driveway with a much meaner sounding machine. Knows the wager is $100 but wants a 5MPH rolling start. Ok.
Now I ran the biggest fattest cheater slicks I could keep on the stock rims. I remember even as high as it sat I had to trim the wheel well flange and molding to keep from getting fine cuts on the top of the sidewalls. Those slicks had 2 fine lines of what could pass for tread so you could technically call them tires.
We roll down Bakerstown Rd and swing onto Rt 8 south. I have the wife with me who insisted on going so we could stop for some errand. She had never been I that car when I raced. Anyway I’m now in the slow lane and he pulls up in the passing lane beside me. We slow down to the agreed start speed traffic behind us be damned. When Mike yells go I punch it, those big tires break loose and almost immediately I’m pulling for second. I recall the front fender of that Road Runner beside my door for a very short moment. We arrived at the top of the hill and I turned off on Dickey Rd and pulled over with the Plymouth behind me. Mike walks up to my door hands me the hundred and say the kid is back there literally crying because he just spent $2000 and can’t believe what just happened. Mike also is saying he swears my front end was almost off the ground every time I shifted. I guess the whole time the Chevelle was throwing the wife towards the back seat she was swearing at me and continued her tirade while I was conversing with Mike. Taking her on that ride was another big mistake.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Anybody got a time machine?

Fantastic stories!!

Tears, horsepower, an upset Mrs. all good.

Ryan W.

[L78M22Rag]

I think Frank's stories are as close as we'll get to having a time machine. I can picture the events as if I were there at the time. There's nothing quite like hearing about a frustrated mopar owner after a run-in with an L89 Chevelle!

[WILMASBOYL78]

These stories are classic...takes me back to a simpler and faster time :smirk:

-wilma

[carnut4life]

Thanks for the stories Frank, please tell us more! Makes me wish I was 20 years older so I could have been doing the same thing back in the early 70's.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Just checking in hoping Frank had dropped back w/ more OO stories, his 23 Thanks w/ only 3 Posts may be a new site record!
It'd be great if Member ACDelco also Howard who's the OO of Helmut's L88 Norwood Chevelle dropped back again too as they'd enjoy Frank's stories also may even have known of his car?

One interesting thing Frank mentioned was seeing a Plain Jane '69 Camaro w/ L88 @ Norwood when he made the deal for his car.
Was this maybe a Copo 427 car although a dealer added L88 very possible w/ all that was happening @ Norwood Mtrs!
Any chance you recall the Camaro color Frank also if Stick/Auto/Cowl Hood?:hmmm:
:beers:
~ Pete

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[Igosplut]

This should be broken off from the for sale ads to another forum (like main) so it desn't get buried and more people see it.

[LUVNLIFE]

Gentlemen, I have been in touch with the present owner of my old Chevelle and he has indicated that he may return it to its condition when it left Norwood with me in 69. That would be with the mods I have previously mentioned. Aside from the fact that I could not track down the original engine for him what is the opinion of this group of him doing this. He has a beautiful restoration. Externally the car originally was solid brown. No stripe. Engine bay had aluminum heads and no cowl induction. After Norwood installed the heads and I further consented to the rest of the dealership mods this car went from a Day1 to a Day2 before it left the lot.
Now I also shared with him that I just spent a month in Pittsburgh visiting friends and family. One of the dear friends I visited with I have known since high school. He had a very fast Chevelle too. We were swapping race stories and Danny reminded me that he was the one who showed me how to adjust the valves to get the most RPM. He remembers the aluminum heads. So I told the current owner that I would be willing to sign an affidavit as to how the car appeared in the showroom and when I drove it off the lot. My friend Dan would also contribute an affidavit verifying the aluminum heads. This might help the provenance.
So the closest I came to being beat was by another Chevy. My bud Tom and I are doing the rounds of the EatnParks. I pull into the Wexford burger joint and back in beside a 67 Biscayne. Big car, baby blue, black wheels small hub caps. Then Tom points out the fender flags with 427. Never forgot the owners name. Sam Houston. Are you still out there Sam? Anyway we start talking and it’s clear he has a high opinion of his machine. When Tom starts his $100 negotiation Sam cuts him off and says he’ll only run title for title. This gives me pause. As if to add an explanation point he fires it up. Whoa, bad ass sounding machine. He already has his headers uncapped. Poker face Tom just shrugs and tells Sam he is about to lose and opportunity to make a hundred. I start my car and before we move Sam says he’ll do it for the money. Tom rolls under one side and I under the other and we pull that one bolt holding the exhaust to the collector. Slide it over and reinstall the bolt. Let’s make some noise. Back then north Pittsburgh suburbs were pretty unpopulated even along the 4 lanes. We head south on 19 then off on Old Perry Highway, a curvy 2 lane that has just enough straightaway to race. I could tell on the way down that Sam had some deep gears the way his engine was taching. Tom and Sams second head down the road and pull off to mark a 1/4 mile. It’s probably 10pm, dark save for our headlights and those of the car down the road. We have a volunteer flag man in front who will point at each of us in turn and then drop his arm to go. Thinking back he had some big ones to stand between two thundering tire squealing machines. We are both running about 3 grand, loud as hell and the flag man drops his arm. The big Biscayne immediately pulls a fender on me and as we go he is still there. My peripheral is used to seeing the competition fading back from view. A feeling of panic as I rip threw one gear after another my right foot trying to push threw the floor. Of course it was seconds but it seemed like minutes as I inched up till I had half a fender on Sam when we crossed the mark.
Talking later at the drive in Sam tells me his car is also a product of Marvin’s Speed Shop. Ported, polished, pistons, cam he had me on HP but I had him because I was much lighter than that Biscayne. He had a deserved reputation in the north hills area but my beating him went a long way to making it near impossible to get a race up there after that.

[LUVNLIFE]

Pete, as I remember the Camaro on the showroom floor was white, no stripes and a 4 speed.

[Mr70]

Frank
That's the night you could've owned a baby blue '67 Biscayne with black wheels & small hub caps. :)

[mockingbird812]

Frank - GREAT story! I can smell rubber and hi octane fuel. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[LUVNLIFE]

Sam, working for an airline I had access to 115 avgas.

[mockingbird812]

Sam, working for an airline I had access to 115 avgas.

That’ll take care of business!:wink:

[SeattleCarGuy]

Frank's back in the day street racing stories are awesome!

Is there a section or thread here on the site where people are posting their best street racing stories from back in the day?

[NorCam]

Another fantastic story shared. Thanks for chiming in again on this thread Frank.

[bbl78]

Original Burnished Brown Chevelle (L78) is Back up for sale!! Interested, Any questions, just send me an IM. thx

[Mr70]

All have to state the selling price here,or else they'll delete your ad.

[Bill Pritchard]

Price was stated as $65K in the first post of this thread.

[Mr70]

He just came back and edited the price back into the ad,as he removed it earlier when he took this car off the market back then. :beers:

[NorCam]

I see it's up for sale again. I was hoping to see this one dialed back to the way Frank once had it setup back in the day. In either case...good luck with the sale of this great car.

Frank...if you're still following this thread? Can you tell me about the air bags that were installed at Norwood? (you noted them as one of the dealer installed options in your original post #60) By chance...would it of happened to have been a set of these Air Lift Traction Bags (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=162110)? I'm curious what Norwood installed back then as so many of these Day 2 parts have become so popular again. Thanks again for the stories you have provided.

[combinefixer]

Update:

This sweet ass car is now residing in rural SW Missouri. Finally got it home on Saturday. My fiance and I are elated to have it in the stable and plan to enjoy cruise nights, shows and some trips to the track with it. Some 110 racing fuel had it smelling and feeling like the summer of 1969 here yesterday. All I can say is HOLY SHIT how the L78 winds up. A huge thanks to the seller bbl78 (Dave) for being a man of his word and all of his help during the purchase process. Thanks to sYc for the killer classified section. Looking forward to connecting with Frank and doing some more research on this car's history.

Regan