67 Corvette

[Charley Lillard]

Awhile back I was offered a 67 435 hp Corvette. It had 43000 miles and was supposed to be all orig with orig paint. I went to see it and found a tired car with a Earl Sheib paint job on a 67 with flared 1/4's and a front clip that had been replaced. It had sidepipes that were made to fit by cutting the front fenders with a hacksaw. I told the lady I had no interest until I looked in the glovebox and found the protecto plate that confirmed it was a 435 hp car. I bought the car and tucked it away. I dropped the tank and found the tank sticker that confirmed it was a sidepipe car. Yesterday I started thinking and did a internet search for the name on the protecto plate. I found a phone #, called and left a message. Well today the orig owner call me back. He wondered where it was and said the guy I bought it from still owed him money and parts. I informed him the guy died about 9 years ago. The guy was great to talk to. He told me the car was stolen and wrecked in 67. When the police came upon the car the engine was running wide open and they had to turn the key off. The engine was not damaged. He had owned three Corvettes and all had been stolen. Hid dad picked the Corvette for him when new. As soon as it was home he pulled the heads and milled 30 thousandths off them. At some point he changed the cam to what he called a Trans Am cam with a different firing order and went drag racing at Fremont dragstrip. Said it ran 11.27 at 127 mph. He had the engine on a dyno in San Raphael and made 454 hp. He had mags with wide tires on the rear and at one time coming back from a nearbye lake a rear spring collapsed and dropped the rear 1/4 down on the tire. The 1/4 was cutting the tire so at a tire shop they proceeded to grind away the 1/4 until it no longer rubbed the tire. After that he flared the 1/4's. During a divorce his wife either sold or gave the car to a Friend of his. He later bought it back from him and had it for a few more years but he would have to ditch the people following it around before he could take it home as he new they were just following with the intent of stealing the car just like before. He ended up selling it back to his Friend. He thinks he has at least one old pic of the car and I am gonna send him some new pics. When I asked for his address to send pics to I realize he still lives at the same address on the Protecto plate...Pretty cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/attachments/100515-9-30-04%20009.jpg

[hvychev]

Very cool story Charley! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I wish that I could track the original owner of my Yenko down. Supposedly people have spoken to him......I still have not.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[JoeG]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Story------------Even Cooler car-

[Belair62]

Yeah but what about the Grand Prix parked out back ?

[JoeG]

Since you mentioned it Bob, I see what looks like a '69? Grand Prix with a white top???--------

[Charley Lillard]

70 SJ 455 4 speed car. Me and a Friend owned and restored this car years ago. I just bought it back after my Friend located it on a web site in Idaho. 4 speed is pretty rare. http://www.yenko.net/attachments/100534-Memo%20009.jpg

[427TJ]

Neat story made even better by the fact that the owner's still around and lives in the same house after 37 years. That Corvette would look a whole lot cooler with 15x10 Torque Thrusts in back and 15x7s up front, but that's just me.

[JoeG]

Sorry to get away from the vette -------Charlie---Maybe you can show this car on members rides---It is a gorgeous car --I never saw one with a 4speed---

[Belair62]

Damn good idea Joe...send it Chas.

[JChlupsa]

Was just at the book store looking for some other magazines when a Magazine called Automobile caught my eye with your Vettes hood on the cover. Cover says the TOP 100 Cars ever!!!

Guess what took the #1 spot, 63-67 Vettes Camaro was around #31 and the Chevelles further down the line.

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">What can I say but&gt;&gt;&gt; http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif </font>

[Mr70]

You're right about the Dog leg,very few got them with the SJ package.
I'm always interested in the G-Body! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
You should sell it to help Pay the heating bill for that near empty Storage Facility. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/CharleySucks.gif

[MosportGreen66]

Great News! Too Cool! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

Beautiful Corvette and cool story Charley! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Paul_S]

Nice story on the 'Vette and a neat car. That GP rocks. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif Patiently waiting for the write-up and pics. Yeah, that's it, patiently. A video of you doing smokey figure 8's on your nice new concrete foor would be nice too. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
That Corvette would look a whole lot cooler with 15x10 Torque Thrusts in back and 15x7s up front

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah, 8's in back and 7's in front, 10s would stick out too far. Or, how about 8-inch and 4.5-inch Cragar S/S's for a real "Day 2" look? That 435 car deserves better than those Rallys that are on it now. Come on Charlie, do it!

[Paul_S]

Either would look great. Atleast lose the derby caps.

With the rear quarters cut and flared you'll need something big to make-up for it.

[Xplantdad]

SJ Grand Prix's are so cool! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

When we lived in Illinois, there was a Cadillac dealer near Deer Grove...(Hey BelAir, help me with this one! I think it was near the Motorola plant, sometime around 1973?)which had nothing but high performance cars in their used car lot. Since my next older brother knew someone who worked there, he was able to "test drive" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif a SJ455 Grand Prix, 440/6 Challenger, 70 1/2 Z-28,70 1/2 Formula 400 Firebird, 70 Trans Am, and a few other cool cars. I know that my brother made the "Palatine Herald" newspaper, by borrowing the above mentioned 440/6 and doing a block long burnout in front of his "ex" girlfriends house, because he was pissed off at her. He was never caught, but there was alot of talk at Palatine high school for a while after the fact.

Any way, Charlie...I think that you have a bunch of great cars... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Have a great afternoon!
Bruce

[Belair62]

Bruce i don't know where Deer Grove is ??

[hvychev]

Belair it is somewhere near that crappy area you live in....... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Belair62]

Not here...say how is the inbreeding going out in Plainfield anyway Frank ?

[Xplantdad]

Belair...are you SURE that you live in the area? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Deer Grove (http://www.mtbr.com/trails/Illinois/DeerGroveForestPreserve.html)

The last time I was there was in '73, so my memory is a wee bit fuzzy. The only reason I remember the dealer was because they sold new Cadillacs, and as a 14 year old...I thought it was quite odd to have a high performance used car lot!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BelairSucks.gif JUST KIDDING!
Hope the link will refresh your memory as to where Deer Grove is...

Frank, feel free to chime in also! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Belair62]

Well hell it's a forest preserve....now what would I be doing in the woods with my 65 Impala SS ? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif I know where those woods are but you must be talking about either Mack Cadillac on Rand rd. or a dealer in Barrington or something...I didn't hang out that far north.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[sixbrl440]

Had to chime in when the G/P was mentioned. First real "hot rod" I can remember was my dad's SD 4-gear '63 G/P. As I recall, he offered me a chance to drive it and I couldn't push the clutch in!! 'Course, I was 10 at the time...
Way cool cars. Good job for selection! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[hvychev]

Actually I would not know about the inbreeding in Plainfield. I am RELOCATING.....back to the old neighborhood in one day! Back to BEEERRRWYN! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Xplantdad]

BELAIR...I don't know WHY you'd have your 65 Impala SS in a forest preserve...is there something that you need to tell us? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Hey...do the shirts fit?

Now that you mention it...I think it was Mack Cadillac. I'll have to see if I can get my brother on his cell tomorrow, and find out exactly where it was at...

Sorry to hijack the thread for a moment Charlie! Your cars are so cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Bruce

[DarrenX33]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey BelAir, help me with this one! I think it was near the Motorola plant , sometime around 1973?

[/ QUOTE ]

I must have been sleeping. It's over here. I'll wave my hand. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

[ QUOTE ]
I am RELOCATING.....back to the old neighborhood in one day! Back to BEEERRRWYN! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

And with that,the local surrounding townspeople let out a resounding Cheer,as they opened their doors &amp; let their Children &amp; pets out to roam the streets again in a Carefree Glee. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif