An all factory original that is built to a standard of quality that the factory never dreamed of attempting.

Text and photos by Mark Ehlen / MCR staff

Some people grow up fans of a particular car. From the time they were able to tell the differences, they knew that someday they wanted to own a particular car, or maybe more broadly a particular make. They likely grew up with one in the family or knew someone down the street that had one. It started from the time they became consciously aware of it.

Others always liked hot rod cars and hoped to have one someday but never fixated on a particular model. They liked them all appreciating all of them for what each had to offer.

One thing both groups often have in common though is that they had to wait until a bit later in life to realize their dreams. If they couldn’t own one when they were new or at least close to it then that meant that they were going to have to find one to restore.

Mike Aubin fell into the later group. He liked all muscle cars though he did have a particular fondness for the peak of the era, 1969-1971, when the styling and performance were at their peak before the perfect storm of emission controls, high gas prices and unfriendly insurance companies ended the era.

Now, in 2020, finding an all original untouched muscle car is like finding an honest politician. They are out there but it takes a good deal of examination to determine if they are genuinely what they appear. The same goes for a car that’s already been restored (sometimes more than once).

When Mike decided it was time to realize his muscle car dream he started his search like so many others by going online. The main advantage of course was that he could search nationwide. After three or four years of hunting he finally found something that caught his eye. It was a 1970 Chevelle SS with a 375 HP 396. It was advertised as a numbers matching original. Yes, it had been restored and painted but it was supposed to be complete and ready to cruise.

After extended phone discussions with the dealer and examining numerous photos the deal was made. Mike bought the car sight unseen and the car was shipped from Maryland to Minnesota.

Unfortunately, (and you could see this coming, right?) the car was not as promised. The car did not have a numbers matching engine and it was not a 375 HP 396. Rather it was a cobbled together big block that just looked like one.

The paint looked ok but it was hiding a lot of body work and it even needed a new fuel tank. Mike pursued action against the dealer with the Maryland attorney general’s office but quickly realized that that was going to be a waste of time and money. So the car sat for a year and a half while Mike calmed down and decided what to do next.

That next turned out to be attending one of Muscle Car Restorations open houses. There Mike got to meet all the staff, tour the entire facility and discuss all the available options. The next year, Mike’s Chevelle, still undriven by him, was sent to MCR for a full stock driver’s restoration.

Mike’s Chevelle as delivered to MCR. At first look, it appeared pretty solid but after a thorough exam it proved to be seriously wanting.

Mike wanted his Chevelle to look just like it did from the factory including all of the factory markings and decals but with materials and techniques aimed at making it a frequent driver. That meant losing the aftermarket A/C, the add on stereo system and anything else that didn’t belong on the car as delivered.

The interior was actually not too bad. The carpet and headliner were replaced and the dash was restored but the seat covers were saved with just a thorough cleaning and conditioning.

After a thorough documentation and complete disassembly, the body was sent off to be chemically stripped to get a precise look at its true condition. While it was in better shape than many that come to MCR, it was still in need of extensive sheet metal replacement.

Very, very rarely does a car come in to MCR that doesn’t need quarters. These looked good when it came in but under all the bodywork was extensive rust damage.

Parts needed included but where not limited to full quarters, inner and outer wheel tub splicing, some lower firewall/outer cowl work, trunk and rear floor pan, rocker panels and a large driver’s side floor splice. The front fenders and doors were saved with paintless dent repair work and some minor patching. (Mike wanted to save as many original parts as he could) Needless to say this was not the “fully restored” Chevelle it was advertised to be. In the end though, the entire MCR team gave Mike the dream car he wanted. Much better than what he thought he purchased, Mike’s Chevelle is now an all factory original that is built to a standard of quality that the factory never dreamed of attempting.

The outer wheel tub lips were gone with the quarters but the inners were also rust damaged. MCR commonly splices new panels onto the originals to preserve as much of the factory sheet metal as possible. This is the kind of damage that’s very difficult to spot in person let alone from photos alone.
Mike’s Chevelle now has a 396 that produces 408 HP and 421 pound of torque.
No one wants to look at 50-year-old gauges when the rest of interior looks new so MCR had the dash fully restored.
The shifter and console also get a full restoration to like new.
Nothing says SS Chevelle like a cowl induction hood.
Many identify the ’70 Chevelle by this distinctive one year only headlight panel. The hood pins are of course factory and fully functional.
It’s not uncommon for MCR to supply two sets of wheels and tires. One set of repo bias plys for shows and a set of modern radials for cruising. Mike elected to stick with just the reproduction raised letter Firestones.
All of the emblems on the car were replaced but Mike was able to keep all of the originals to stick on his toolbox.
The gorgeous GM code 28 Fathom Blue body color is beautifully contrasted by the white hood and trunk lid stripes.
All of the bumpers and chrome trim parts have been replaced or restored to perfection. The car truly does look better than new. And with modern resto techniques and materials it will stay that way for many years to come.

Sources

Muscle Car Restorations, Inc.https://www.musclecarrestorations.com