69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

We recently came across this 1969 L-78 Chevelle that was last registered in 1972. It was purchased from the estate of the original owner. In January of 1969 he was a talented young mechanic working in his fathers local garage. A couple of his friends worked for the Chevrolet dealer and were doing their best to pull him from his dads shop to work with them. In an effort to keep him at the service station his father told him that he could go to the dealer and order whatever car he wanted within reason. This is the car he ordered, Lemans blue, parchment bench seat, L78, TH400, tach & gauges, 4speaker 8trk. rosewood wheel & F40. This gentleman passed away 42 years later as the owner of the service station so I guess this Chevelle worked to keep him around. Back in 72 he was out running the car hard one weekend night and broke a lifter(still in the engine) and brought the car back to the shop. The garage was filled with customer cars so the Chevelle had to sleep outside. By morning when he returned the intake, carb, distributor etc. were missing. In his frustration the car was parked and covered, this was the last time the car was ever driven. It still retains its original KF engine, CX transmission and rear. Unfortunately over the 40 years that it was behind the shop covered with a tarp people robbed whatever they could carry away so the radio/8trk, steering wheel, even the hood went missing. It's a Framingham built car with the typical partial build sheets . It is hard to beat Lemans blue/white. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7818-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7819-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7820-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7821-image.jpg

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Very nice find... This car deserves a proper frame off!

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Looks like a worthy project. Have you dropped the tank yet? There's a chance for a full build sheet there. My 69 Malibu (high option Framingham car) had a full sheet on top of the tank and a 1/3 partial in the lower back seat.

Good luck.

Keep us posted.

Phil Woj

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Agreed, it deserves a new life. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Great combination of options and colours.

Well worth saving this one.

Are you doing the resto? Will we get to see updates along the way?

Ryan

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Those who stole from this car should get the death penalty! Good luck with the restoration because this car is very restorable! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

I grew up outside of the New Haven area. Where was the family garage he owned, and the Chevy dealership that tried to kidnap him away? I'd love to know if I ever ran across the gentleman back in the day.

Awesome find, by the way. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

So sad she lived a lonely outdoor life. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Can-I-Have-It.gif[/img] I agree, someone please save this L78.

Dan

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

Mike,

I sent you an email.

Dan

Re: 69 l-78 Chevelle that had to be rescued
 

I love Blue over Parchment, the metallic in the paint and the interior work so great together...
Then again I may be partial as I have an alpine blue and parchment 68 HO GTO I am doing as well.