Words: Tommy Parry
When you’ve got the right people and the right parts available from the get-go, a build should progress smoothly. Err, more smoothly than most, since even the best have their difficulties. This was the case with Mike Knauss of Gearbox Garage and this 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS. Mike directed this project for two clients, Bob and Kim, who wanted the best possible version of a Chevelle to go on weekly ice cream dates in inimitable style.
A list of parts was written up, and all parties involved smiled at the sight of it. Included on it were an Art Morrison chassis equipped with JRi shocks and Wilwood brakes, a GM Performance 525 LS3 w/ 4L70 trans, a full Vintage Air system, an American Autowire harness, a Rick’s Tanks RestoMod tank with a late model Camaro fuel module and a Flaming River steering column. That collection of bits is enough to get the most discerning builder salivating.
With plenty of parts in the mail and the old body sitting dilapidated and depressed in the middle of his shop, Mike kept one eye out for the delivery truck at all times. When the Art Morrison frame arrived, he prepped it for powdercoating.
When it returned powder black from the paint booth, Mike mounted the brake lines and front suspension, hung the Strange rear end housing and assembled the steering and Wilwood brakes – the last of which would fit nicely within custom 18″ Foose billet wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires.
Mike then moved to the other end of the car and installed a Flaming River column before he began mocking up the powertrain. Getting the 4L70 to fit required some cutting of the floor and firewall, but Mike’s metalworking skill had the job done in a jiffy.
Unfortunately, the body had seen better days. The upside was Mike had some talented friends to help. The car was then sent off to Greg Fowler of Fowler Custom Paint to have the quarters, floor pan, trunk pan and ABC Performance mini tubs roughed in. They also replaced the rotted taillight surrounds with a reproduction piece from the ‘65 Chevelle; Bob preferred the look of them from that year. Soon after, they welded in the panels and coated the underbody in Raptor Liner and the Chevelle was finally ready for paint.
Bob and Kim spent plenty of time debating which colors would work well; arguably, these were the hardest decisions they had to make with this build. After a while, they decided on ‘60s Frost Green – actually, a modern shade of the classic color called Gingerale, with which Mr. Fowler coated the Chevelle masterfully. As for the interior, they turned to Mike Carr Custom Auto & Truck Upholstery for a sumptuous beige leather layout with white accents. Dakota Digital gauges and a custom dash add some tasteful glitz to the cabin, which is now a wonderful place to be for a chocolate phosphate, a trip to the drive-in and maybe a burger afterwards for good measure.
