RULED THE ROOST ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO

In 1970, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 auto was at the top of the US muscle car food chain. It had no predators at all. Between the traffic lights, it crushed anything it came across, chewed it up, and spat it out. But that was 50 years ago. Today, while the legend still exists, not so many of the behemoths themselves still do.

This 1970 vehicle was purchased while the owner, Peter Beauchamp of Fielding, was on a road trip through the US in 2017. It looked in good shape on the outside but underneath, it was a different story. The purchase price reflected the poor condition to a degree but as usual, once you start looking, it just got worse. Once the car was in New Zealand some serious restoration work began.

Terry Price from Restorations Unlimited in Whanganui attacked the problem with enthusiasm. The car was delivered to him minus the interior trim, motor, and gearbox. His talented team removed the body from the chassis and got stuck in.

Once all the panels were repaired and lined up, the chassis only went back home to Peter for all-new suspension, steering arms, brake and fuel lines; a new limited-slip differential (LSD); a rebuilt gearbox; and a two-pot coat of paint.

Back to Whanganui with the motor and gearbox fitted, Terry’s team fitted the body to the chassis in preparation for painting. At this point, it was starting to look like a brand new car.

With the paint job completed, the car went to Matt Tasker at Danny’s Auto Services in Palmerston North for a complete rewire; new exhaust; and, finally, a dyno tune. The car now produces 450 very healthy horses (336kw). This is no pony car.

The seats are original, but now there’s new carpet, hood lining, and door panels.

The car was certified one week prior to Cruise Martinborough in January this year, and was christened with an impressive wheelie down the drag strip at Masterton.

There are only a few jobs required to be done to complete the restoration, which will take a while now that it is on the road on most sunny days.

Certainly sounds like an interesting car — watch out for a full feature on it soon.