AIR SUPPLY
July 16, 2023
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THE AUTO BUILDER
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GET A GRIP
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Cornering Camaro
Chris German knows his way around a Camaro. He currently owns two—the car you see here and a ’69 Pace Car. He’s owned six more of them in the past, and he’s built 10 of them at American Muscle, his shop in Cleveland, Tennessee. When he came across this car, it was in great shape. It had been the focus of a restoration about 20 years ago, and German says he probably could have started and driven the car with almost no effort at all. But the Camaro wasn’t the way he wanted it. He wasn’t after a restoration or a drag-style car. His Camaro would have to be able to handle the corners well, and he wanted to be able to autocross it at Goodguys shows, and autocross it well.
Inferno
Builders Joe Keenum and Dan Ehle are best friends and business partners. Initially drawn together by their love for classic cars and trucks, the two have created a number of super rods and classic trucks over the years out of their shop in Leighton, Alabama. Keenum and Company has built trucks that compete with the best of the top-name builders in the country. Producing upwards of a dozen custom vehicles a year, the duo decided it was time to go it a bit further and build a radical shop truck that would showcase the expert craftsmanship the shop is capable of producing.
After running across this 1972 Chevrolet 1/2-ton pickup in early 2006, they felt this was the classic truck that would make the ideal candidate for the project they had in mind. 0nce Keenum and Ehle acquired the truck, they began the extensive build. The truck was a nice driver, and the previous owner performed a rather simple hot rod restoration, leaving the truck on the frame and updating a few of the components here and there. However, Keenum and Company had other plans for this classic.
Spotlighter
CHEVELLE MEMORIES
This ’65 Chevelle Has Been Redone and Looks Better Than the Day Dad Brought It Home From the Dealership
“If these four walls could only talk, what great stories they could tell” is an old adage that is certainly apropos from a historical perspective. In the context that we Americans have an ongoing love affair with the automobile, it could also be said that if a classic car could only talk, it could tell some pretty great stories as well!"
Author
Bob McClurg
Story and Photography
A Family Treasure: The Story Behind the ’65 Chevelle Malibu
If that were the case, Bow Tie enthusiast Joseph Andrew “Andy” Viduarri of Lakewood, Colorado, owns an ’04 Cadillac Crimson Red metallic-painted ’65 Chevelle Malibu that would speak in volumes. This car evokes many fond memories of happier, less complicated times. You see, the ’65 has been in the Viduarri family since it was brand-new, but we’ll let Andy tell the rest of the story.
A Lifetime of Memories
“My father purchased this car brand-new from Hajek Chevrolet, located in Longmont, Colorado. The Chevelle was originally powered by a 283/2-bbl and Powerglide transmission. I have a lot of fond memories with that car. I rode to school in it, I got my driver’s license with it, and I even dated in it,” he says.
Transformation into a Street Machine
In 1986, Andy inherited his father’s prized possession but didn’t do anything with it until 1998. “It was then that I slowly started transforming it into the awesome street machine it has since become,” he says.
Suspension and Braking Upgrades
Completed on April 4, 2007, Andy’s Chevelle features Eibach muscle car front springs, a later-model Chevelle 1-1/4-inch front anti-sway bar, Master Power front disc brakes, and KYB gas-charged front shocks. Out back, the ’65 features a Ford Explorer disc brake-equipped, 3.70:1-geared Currie 9+ live rear axle with Eibach muscle car rear springs and KYB gas-charged shocks.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and tires come in the form of a set of briefly produced 15×7.5-inch Edelbrock five-spoke aluminum wheels rolling on P225/60xZR15 front and P275/60×15 rear Yokohama high-performance radial rubber.
The Engine: A ZZ4 Small-Block Beast
Sitting inside a fully detailed and wireless engine compartment is a 2004 vintage, 10:1-compression, GM Performance Parts ZZ4 350cid small-block crate engine featuring a ZZ4 single-plane cast aluminum 4-bbl intake manifold with a 1-inch carburetor plate and K&N-filtered 600cfm Holley carburetor. The HEI ignition system fires everything up while Hedman headers and Flowmaster 40 mufflers handle the exhaust. Also on board are a set of Tru-Trac billet aluminum engine pulleys and a Power Master billet aluminum 100-amp alternator. Backing all this up are a Hurst-assisted Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed transmission and Centerforce II clutch.
Custom Body and Paint
Andy also performed all of the paint and bodywork on the ’65 right at home in his garage. The Chevelle features shaved door handles and pop locks. The extruded aluminum grille insert has been painted black, and the car is also equipped with a set of Snake Eyes halogen headlights.
A Lavish Interior
Inside, Denver’s Auto Weave Upholstery lavished the interior and trunk in tan soft leather with matching tan wool carpeting. The revitalized Chevelle also makes use of an Auto Meter-equipped Covan’s Classic dash, GM six-way-tilt steering column with late-model Camaro steering wheel attached, A/C, and tinted glass.
A Beauty on the Streets of Denver
Completed at a cost of $60,000 over a three-year time period, Andy’s Chevelle gets driven to all the local cruise nights around the Greater Denver area. It garners attention wherever it goes, which is no big surprise. This car is a real beauty.
