50 years ago this week

[Rebelrouser]

Originally Posted by 67since67

Wow thanks everyone, I am humbled!!

Here's some backstory to that pic.
I had returned home from 6 mos of boot camp and training in CA. On weekend passes I had been to the '70 WinterNationals at Pomona and a couple times to OCIR. Also experienced some LA car culture cruising Van Nuys and Whitter Blvds. and seeking out George Barris's and Bill Thomas's shops among others.
After 2 weeks leave I was to report to Camp LeJune, Jacksonville, NC, March 23rd IIRC, of course I was driving the Chevelle. I swapped the 4:88s for 4:10 "highway gears" and pulled the slicks in favor of Dan Vasic's ultimate, black rear rims, with H-60 Goodyear Polyglass for the trip to NC.
Somewhere nearby was a drag strip on an abandoned stretch of highway that I'm told is still in operation?? The traction was horrible, Best launch was starting in 2nd slipping the clutch and feathering the gas, still managed low-mid 13s.
My best friend was another Marine from KC who had a very healthy red 327/300 '65 Nova.
Early June I received the inevitable orders for beautiful SE Asia and the party was over. The Chevelle went back into Dad's garage until July of '71.

Bill W

And what became of it when you came home?? And thank you for your service. Huge admiration for you and the men that did and didn't make it home. I salute you sir!!

[67since67]

Originally Posted by Rebelrouser

And what became of it when you came home??

It's still with me, unrestored with 40K miles, looking exactly as 1968.
Some here may have seen it in Dan Vasic's Real Day 2 Display at MCACN 2016, or on the cover of MCR, Nov. 2017.

Bill W

[67since67]

Originally Posted by 69LM1

Dad ever sneak it out when you were gone?

Not to my knowledge. My Dad was not a car guy, a salt-of-the-earth Iowa farmer. More at home on a tractor than in a car.
Funny story though, The Chevelle suffered a minor scrape on the last weekend before I was to leave for boot camp. Dad picked it up from the shop and drove it home to park in the third unused stall of the garage, to wait for my return. Several years later he admitted that as he left town, when the road straightened out to the top of a hill, he put it on the floor. When he crested the hill "I thought I was going to take off and fly".

[TimG]

Bill, I admire you for hanging on to all your cars so long.

[300deluxe]

I love love love those old pictures...the background looks almost black and white, and the red Chevelle really pops out...great picture, great to see you still have it and cared for it so well...love those survivors!