I think we all remember the first time we got to drive solo; mine was in my Dad�s small block �67 El Camino. Years later when I decided to get a toy of my own the feeling of that first drive kept coming back to me, so I started looking for a �66 or �67 Chevelle SS coupe.

I found this car in early 2001 just a few hours away on the west side of Michigan. It was well cared for but pretty basic, just a solid, rust-free place to start with a tired 396 and Turbo 400. It�s a CA car, a true SS396 with factory power steering, power brakes, and air. I was very fortunate to have Detroit Speed in my backyard when they were in Michigan, so their fab work and products have been all over the car since I bought it.

Virtually every mechanical system, component, and trim piece on the car has been changed while I�ve owned it. Only the sheet metal and paintwork are as-bought with just a color sanding needed to bring the finish up.

This car gets driven the way the parts on it were designed for and it drives like a slot car. Big power + great handling and braking make it a blast to drive. The 6-speed, air, and stereo let my wife and I comfortably take it wherever we want.

Every time I think it�s done I find something else I want to change so some of the mods listed below have been done since these photos were taken.




Engine/Accessories:

461 BBC, 10.5:1

541 HP / 587 ft-lbs.

Forged internals

Comp hydraulic roller cam, timing set

GMPP aluminum heads, port matched

Edelbrock 800 cfm carb & Performer RPM intake

March serpentine accessory drive, remote P/S reservoir

BeCool aluminum radiator, dual SPAL electric fans

Vintage Air SureFit system

DSE Selecta-Speed wiper motor

Custom machined valve covers




Exhaust:

Hooker 2� ceramic coated headers

2.5" Magnaflow exhaust w/ X-pipe




Transmission / Rear End:

D&D Performance T56 6-speed

3.73 12-bolt posi

Moser 31-spline axles, aluminum diff cover




Suspension:

DSE Speed Kit 2 front suspension (tubular upper & lower arms, drop spindles, coilovers)

DSE Splined front sway bar

Baer tie rod adjusters

DSE Speed Kit 3 rear suspension (coilover conversion kit, Swivel Link arms, chassis braces, sway bar)




Brakes:

Baer 13� front discs w/ 6-piston calipers

Baer 12� rear discs

Baer master cylinder & booster




Wheels / Tires:

Bonspeed Huntington wheels - 18x8 front, 19x10 rear

Nitto NT555 tires - 245/40ZR18 front, 275/35ZR19 rear




Body:

All stock appearing exterior

Smoothed firewall

Torch Red base/clear

Functional hood vents

Tinted glass

Xenon headlight conversion

LED signal & brake lights




Interior:

Custom Flofit black suede & vinyl front seats, stock rear seat upholstered to match

Floor pan, console, & shifter modified to fit T56; custom shift pattern emblem

Billet Specialties steering wheel

Custom gauge pod, AutoMeter gauges w/ Twist Machine bezels

Hidden stereo, 10-disc CD changer, iPod interface

Modo Innovations pedal covers

Modo Innovations electric trunk release

Trunk closeout kit