Roger built his Chevelle for himself, and he plans on keeping it. He’ll be the first to tell you it’s not an original LS6. He didn’t build this one to take home a zillion dollars at an auction; he built it to drive!
Roger restored this '70 attempting to match an original car down to the pearl-white seats and door panels. All the remaining interior parts were rebuilt, replaced, or re-conditioned in some way or another.
The real attraction on this car is the LS6-spec 454 under the hood. Actually, the engine's been built just beyond the original 450 horsepower rating, but it's still manageable enough to drive daily. Gaitsch started with a stock LS6 spec LS5 short block, then added GM Performance Parts aluminum heads. Roger likes to powdercoat his parts for a long-lasting finish, so these heads were coated orange to match the block and appear stock. Under the valvecovers lives a Crane valvetrain.
The restored Cowl Induction hood functions as new, with restored vacuum motors actuating the intake flap.
This car was built to drive, and Gaitsch rolls on an updated SS suspension package. Again, Roger powdercoated everything he could, including the 12-bold rear axle housing. Amazingly, he obtained a 4-foot cube oven and coated everything at home in his shop!
Out back, a Gardener Exhaust system exits under the bumper. Gardener makes concourse-quality original style exhaust systems, and as Gaitch put it, "It is perfect in every way!"
It's hard to believe that Roger replaced nearaly every panel on this car, and it came out nice enough to be black! Roger used Goodmark Industries for most of his sheet metal. He pointed out that fitting body panels can be a chore weather threy're reproduction or new old stock. He came across a GM quarter panel that had been so bet up over the years that a reproduciton panel was less effort to fit properly.
The badge says it all...
Roger uses his ragtop to Cruise to local events and on nice days. The powdercoated suspension and brake components stand up better to rock chips, so he cruises worry-free.
Even the wheels are powdercoated! Roger coated the silver section first, then applied the black and re-baked them.
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