I bought this 1970 SS 454 Chevelle new on February 13, 1970.  It remained stock until 1974 as my only transportation to school and work.  This is when I contacted Terry Stutes of Lewiston Illinois to add murals to each side and trunk.  In the winter of 1975, diamond tufted interior was added by Joe Wilcox of Beardstown Illinois.  Chrome and braided line was added in 1977.  The original motor was a LS5 454 and I always wanted an LS-6.  In 1978, I purchased a new short block and the parts to build a LS6 and installed it. The Chevelle remain basically the same today.

September 7 1985, I was injured in a fall will working on a roof.  Although the injury left me a Quadriplegic, I still go to Car Shows and attend Super Chevy at Indianapolis every year.  We haul the convertible on a Tommy Aluminum Trailer pulled by my 1990 Ford Conversion Van and drive the Gray Chevelle.

I may not be able to drive my Chevelles any more; I do have many memories.  The Cowl Induction hood, which feature a vacuum-operated flap at the rear of the SS hood, allows air from the high-pressure area at the base of the windshield feed the four-barrel.  With the stock LS5, if you opened the air vents you could hear the Rochester carburetor moan loudly though the interior.

Having driven Chevelles with the L78, LS5, and LS6 engines, the LS5 is probably the best for all around driving.  The reason is, on the Interstate with the LS5 mileage running 65 mph was 16mpg.  The best I could get with the L78 or LS6 was 12-13 mpg.  While attending the NSRA and Car Craft Street Machine Nationals in the 70's and 80's, I enjoyed entering the driving events.  The LS5 with the Turbo 400 transmission was much quicker in switching directions in out of garages.  You learned the best way to steer and the most fun was with the gas pedal.  The LS6 is great to drive, by the fun in passing those who don't like to be passed, and sound of the headers and the cam echoing back from guardrails.  Those who have not driven a Big Block Chevelle don't know what they are missing. My mother when in her late 60's enjoyed driving my Chevelles.

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I bought the body of this SS Chevelle in December of 1978 from Ray Batterson of White House, Ohio. The car was a drag car with only 5,000 miles. Some may remember it as the "Smith and Gainer Chevelle" which toured Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan Drag Strips in the mid 70's. The original color was forest green. In 1979, I bought a new short block with all new parts to build a 1971 LS-6. The reason for choosing 1971 over 1970 LS-6 was it can run on regular gas, appears and sounds similar, and the performance is almost as good.
 
 
 

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