Hemmings Muscle Machines April issue

[Salvatore]

Check out our own Jim Ferrons 1969 L78 Chevelle in this issue. I didn't think the old boy even owned a car let alone a survivor. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[TDW]

Sure is a nice car. I was wondering about the tech sheet listing it as having hydraulic lifters though.

[Mr70]

...and Benchseat Headrest Delete!
What a great Car & write up. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[ANDY M]

Don't forget Keith MacDonald got a nice plug for his Milt Schornack book. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
You go, GOAT72. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Charley Lillard]

How can you do a headrest delete ? I thought that was a required safety item like a shoulder harness seatbelt ?

[Mr70]

For 1969,only 774 Chevelles were built without them.
A $16.90 credit,known as RPO-AR1 Less Head Restraint..and 4432 Impalas as well.
I've only seen two Chevelles built w/o them,and only for 1969 Vehicles that I know of with BenchSeats.

[mockingbird812]

Terrific info Rick. Where did you get this?

[mockingbird812]

I really like the story of this L78 Malibu. Bagging an LS6 - that's just cool. These solid lifter motors are high winders. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I noticed a break down of autos to 4 speeds (1,218 As & 6,115 Ms). Is this definitive info or just an extrapolation from Dan Carr's research project/poster?

BTW Jim, did you talk to Ted C. on how he kept the rear tires planted with the notorious 69 'velle wheel hop? Interested in type of hardware he may have used to prevent this. Any vintage photos of this ride?

Thanks Jim, for sharing and congrats on the write up. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Just read that story while enjoying a Friday nite martini(shaken, not stirred)...that is one cool car! But then again those motors hold a special place in my heart, I mean garage..the real bomb article is the one on the Ram Air II 68 GTO conv.....talk about your barn finds http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[GOAT72]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't forget Keith MacDonald got a nice plug for his Milt Schornack book. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
You go, GOAT72. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, Andy!
That issue sat on my kitchen table for a few days. I had no idea the book review was in there.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
When Milt called me up and said he "heard the book was in Hemmings" I ripped off the plastic mailing cover and practically fell on the floor.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Wow, 2 guys from the Yenko.net boards in hemmings at the same time.
Cool!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

Great book too...interesting fellow that Milt !!!

[Jim Ferron]

Thanks for starting the thread Sam! It was a real surprise to stumble on it!

The boys from Hemmings saw the car at Musclepalooza I...I wasn't by the car at the time but my 13 year old gave 'em my shop number and....

Wheel hop! Lemme tell ya about wheel hop!

The car was un-drivable as I bought it! If memory serves me, my buddy Ted, had Mr Gasket No-Hop bars on it for years and years [not there when I bought the car]

I couldn't pull the trigger on that [or SSM bars like I have on my '67]So I tried replacing the 4 upper soft bushings with urethane [shhh...don't tell anybody] Cured it 100%

I've got a day one Polaroid Ted gave me and some from when he raced it at Rockingham..I'll post tomorrow...

Again thanks to all for the kind words.

[Jim Ferron]

Couple pics..

http://www.classicperformance.com/ebay_pics/L781.JPG
Is that a goat???

Ted at Rockingham..mid 12's
http://www.classicperformance.com/ebay_pics/L782.JPG

http://www.classicperformance.com/ebay_pics/L783.JPG

[mockingbird812]

Jim - Terrific vintage pictures. Good tip on the "wheel hop" issue. Enjoy your ride! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[BUIZILLA]

Jim, I almost bought that car from Ted a couple years back. I spent about a 1/2 day at his house in NC checking it out with a friend of mine that KNOWS Chevelle things... Ted is actually a neat guy, he also had a red '69 Chevelle as a race car and a Daytona Edition Monte Carlo... It was pretty darn original, except for the replacement vinyl upholstery... did it have the dent in the left rear quarter panel when you got it? he forgot to tell me about that, before I drove 900 miles to get there, he told me he either leaned against it or fell against it, I forgot really, but it had been there for at least 25 years he then said... he also raised his selling price $2000 from the time I left home with truck and trailer, until I got there the next day, an 1,800 mile wasted round trip, I had a deal at $18.5k with cashiers checks in hand, I get there and it's now $20.5k FIRM, he told me that a BIG Chevelle parts guy in NC (we all know who that is) offered him more money the night before so he raised the price before I got there, if I didn't pony up right then, the other guy would, so being I don't do business like that, I left carless, the car still stayed for sale for a while after that, on the same Chevelle vendors website... I do remember it being 95% original paint, in great shape, except for a touchup on one front left corner... and the dent... I'm glad to see what you've done, it IS a solid as a rock car and deserves preservation.

Jim

[Jim Ferron]

I hate it when the price goes up! It's happened to me before and I get MORE than pissed off.

As best as I can tell it went to the Detective in St Loo for $18,000

The car is pictured on the top of Rogers website...Heh...I guess Ted and Ole Rog are bud's from way back...

Glad you didn't buy it though.... if you know what I mean...

Dent is still there but I found a paintless dent guy I [i]almost trust.....

[Bill Pritchard]

Jim, congrats on the ink in HMM. Beautiful car, and thanks for posting those priceless vintage pics http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Keith Tedford]

I don't think that headrests were mandatory until January 1969. They probably couldn't be deleted on production after the first of January. As for wheel hop, check the top picture and see how low the rear end sat. That's the key. Our COPO Chevelle sat that low or lower and never had wheel hop.