smith and gainer chevelle

[Schonyenko2]

Dave didn't really say. Mentioned that he was looking for someone to put the motor/trans in and get it running and wondered if we could do it. I told him probably in the spring, but if he needed the motor built, he could drop it off anytime. He sounded pretty happy that it was moving along well. Been a long time comin for him.

[dbpg1212]

it is being restored as the drag car, not sure about the lettering or decals. it will have the 454 emblems and a ls6 engine.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
it is being restored as the drag car...

[/ QUOTE ]
Excellent....

[MVCMC]

My best friend Dale Sheeks was the original owner of this car. His name is on the front fenders. He bought this car from Carl Schmidt Chevrolet in Perrysburg, Oh on 11/11/69. Carl Schmidt's son Bob used this car as a demo for his wife to drive. It was originally a 402/375hp car and had power windows. I have the original protect-o-plate or new vehicle warranty card. In 1980 I purchased from Dale the original engine, transmission, wheels & tires for a restoration I was working on. Dale first raced for Schmidt Chevrolet under the Sheeks & Smith Racing Team. I also raced my 1969 Chevelle SS396/375hp in B/S with the Sheeks & Smith Racing Team. If you follow the link and view the pictures you will notice the front bumper was from either a Monte Carlo or El Camino I'm not sure which now, but the car came that way from Chevrolet. So you so called experts out there what do you think of that! I'm glad Dave is restoring this car back as a race car, after all it was a national champion car. I just wished I could have talked Dave into restoring it in my shop, Dale & I would have had a blast doing it, but I think we were too far away. Good luck on the restoration and if you would like to pick our brains, we do specialize in LS6 Chevelles. Steve Wolfe - Maumee Valley Classics & Muscle Cars. Follow the link below for pictures

http://www.fototime.com/inv/773CC65A050E95A

[dbpg1212]

great story thanks for the info. the car is in unbelivable shape for being a race car all those years.

[Musclecarkid]

Steve W,

Like those old pics. I have the Truppi-Kling Chevelle web page.

[chevelleheart]

I'm in LOVE !!!!

[dbpg1212]

does anyone know how many l78 converts were made and how many are left?

[Mr70]

Only Chevrolet or Fisher Body can say for sure,and they don't even know or care.
To date none of their records have been found to say exactly.Experts like to extrapolate these numbers,but I don't accept that as an alternative.
They only installed the L-78 engine in 2144 Chevelles & Elcaminos during the first 90 days of 1970 production in the US,with none being assembled in Canada.The mass majority of those being 4 spd./3:55 equipped.They phased this engine out very early on the Chevelle,to allow the LS-6 to be produced.They did not want two solid lifter engines in the lineup.
I've always been intrigued with this car/engine combination-characteristics,and after decades of researching and tracking them,I have records of 211 of the 2144 made.Only 14 of them have turned out to be Cnvts...so far.
I have also found so far,that a total of 7 1970 L-78 Chevelles convt./hardtops were optioned with an Automatic transmission.
2 of those are convertibles,and Daves Chevelle is one of those convertibles.
Mine is one of the Hardtops.
Interesting too is Daves L-78 Convt.& my L-78 Hardtop were both built the same day,at the same plant,during the same shift,on the same assembly line with mine assembled 18 cars ahead of his.
There was an 1970 Aluminum head L-89 convertible out there that was claiming to be authentic for awhile,but after months of research and inquiries,it was proven to be false.The possible new owner of it was deceived and it was found to be fabricated by someone other the Chevrolet,and not even an SS car either.

[MVCMC]

Don't quote me on this, but I believe only 6 with automatics. Now add the fact this one had power windows it might be the only one! I have some data at my shop and I'll look it up and post the totals of both 4-speeds & automatics.