1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
We proudly present this 1969 Chevelle which is simply a stunner. I say this because one look at the fit, finish, and paint on this car and you will not be able to restrain yourself from being impressed. The result of the skillful hands at Nelson Racing Engines working to create a build with handcrafted metalwork, the car was restored to appear factory-correct but with a powerful secret under the hood. A monster all aluminum, twin turbocharged, big block V8, state of the art electronics, custom exhaust, a racy but yet comfortable interior and more custom fabrication work than you can soak in with your eyes. This all works together to bring you this internet sensation in the living flesh, er steel.
Exterior
A chrome trimmed black egg crate grille with dual headlights flanking either side, all surrounded by beautiful trim work, and held up by a mirror-like bumper with no faults in the chrome. A very stock appearing front end with the twin bumped Chevelle SS hood makes its way back to near flawless new glass surrounded by re-plated and polished trim. Factory steel makes up the coke bottle sides of this skate, and they align just perfectly, and are spattered with newly plated polished handles, mirrors, but to give that factory fresh look, the lower rocker trim and MALIBU badging remains intact. Bringing up the rear is a straight as an arrow trunk lid, and rear chrome trimmed tail lights, with a bumper below, all re-plated and polished to factory looks. The paint is stunning on this car and is the deep end of the pool silver blue and has been applied, buffed and waxed to perfection. We note a few blisters in the paint on the hood caused by the high heat produced from the twin hair dryers and headers, more on that later. Billet Bonspeed wheels are on in 18" format and are shod in 245/45ZR18 and 390/40R18 rubber front and rear.
Interior
All newly upholstered by Eric Thorsen custom Kirky seats, new German carpet, AutoMeter Sport Comp instruments, and a Lecarra steering wheel atop the tilt and telescopic column, all dressed in black vinyl and cloth. The seats have built-in slides to accommodate nearly any driver, and RJS cam-lock harnesses to keep you and your passenger safely strapped in. Between the stylish buckets is a Winters Racing shifter mounted atop an aluminum pedestal and well within the driver's reach. The factory gauges have been removed in favor of AutoMeter units which sit in a custom silver bezel. A slew of extra gauges to monitor engine vitals is mounted nicely in the center of the dash while just below are the heater controls and radio used to reside. Speaking of where things used to reside, the rear seat has been removed to allow room for the rear mini-tubs and now display with more black German carpeting. A body matching silver blue painted roll cage provides protection for the passengers in case things should go awry, this cage includes a main hoop, front, side and rear down bars, removable door bars, a dash bar and added roof cross bracing.
Drivetrain
A Nelson Racing Engines all aluminum 509ci mill in the form of a tire shredding V8 are happily mounted in a pristine engine compartment home. This mill has been built to the hilt with aluminum cylinder heads, EFI controlled by Electromotive fuel management, and a 60 tooth crank trigger. An extra kick in the seat of the pants on the fuel delivery end comes from the twin fuel injectors per cylinder, a Stainless Rick's fuel tank with twin Aeromotive A-1000 pumps and filters. The air end of combustion is handled by the twin engine bay mounted turbochargers and dual air to air intercoolers. This piece of automotive jewelry lays down a very impressive 1,850hp so say the folks at Nelson. A Super Duty Mike's Powerglide rated at 2,000hp, is a 2-speed automatic transmission with a Gear Vendors overdrive for those long highway trips and power flows back to a Moser Fab 9" axle weighing in with a 1350 yoke, nodular iron case, and 35 spline axles. Total visual eye candy under the hood, even down to the March Billet mid-mount accessory drive kit and March power steering.
Undercarriage
Nothing but clean, mechanically perfect, straight, shiny compilation of parts working together as they should. Starting at the rear we see a custom stainless fuel tank and just ahead is the Chris Alston 4 link rear suspension with adjustable coil overs, billet upper control arms, billet sway bar links, large solid heim joints, and Wilwood 4 piston hydroboost assisted power rear disc brakes. Moving forward we see the aftermarket rear frame section allowing for the rear mini tubs, stainless steel brake lines and braided lines for the fuel. Up front is an independent coil over front suspension with Global West tubular arms, ATS forged spindles, a Hotchkiss sway bay, and more Wilwood hydroboost assisted disc brakes, this time with 6 piston calipers. Custom built stainless steel headers snake down from the engine and a dual stainless Flowmaster exhaust system helps to quiet the roar of the mighty big block before ending in turn down tips just in front of the rear axle.
Drive-Ability
I let my crack decoder and muscle car aficionado take the wheel for this drive and drive he did. From the passenger's seat we experienced blazingly fast acceleration, wonderful bias free braking and unexpectedly good handling. All functions were working during our drive.
All the attention to detail, restified and retaining the factory lines while holding within a gaggle of custom upgrades and all the while running like a clock. This will be the toughest Bowtie on your block. Deport your import and snap this one up, it won't be here long.
