As life went on Mike regularly thought about the Chevelle–couldn’t shake it. He told himself if he ever had the financial means to own another one just like it, he would. Fast-forward 42 years and Mike was introduced to A.J. Schwichtenberg, owner of GoodFellows Classic Cars in Phoenix–a shop that builds high-functioning, high-quality muscle cars and classic trucks.

Mike asked Schwichtenberg if he could find and build a similar ride like the one he remembered going on dates and having fun with his buds during his high school years. Old cars have the distinct ability to carry a lifetime of memories, so finding one of the same vintage would be a great way to relive some good times, even though what Mike had in mind would be quite an upgrade from Grandma’s ride.

Schwichtenberg’s got a network of car stalkers—friends who know he’s always on the prowl for early muscle. It wasn’t long before they pulled through with a specimen, although rough, they know Schwichtenberg’s got the ultimate set of tools and shop full of qualified gearheads who can turn trash into treasure.

With a blank canvas waiting for a revive, Schwichtenberg and Mike fine-tuned the build style after a few versions were rendered, sent back and fourth, discussed, and adjusted. Schwichtenberg convinced Mike that going with an original color would be most effective at bringing the Chevelle back to a timeless hue. Although it took a little convincing, Mike agreed with Schwichtenberg’s opinion and has no regrets. In fact, he’s happy Schwichtenberg talked him into going in a factory direction.

With a plan in place, GoodFellows’ crew members Mark Lindsay, Jason Stark, and Larry Laws started with removing the tainted metal and swapped in some fresh bits from Auto Metal Direct. A couple new quarter-panels, doorskin, hood, and two front fenders got them on track and had the ’67 Chevelle looking more like, well, a ’67 Chevelle. Before the final touches, they opened the rear inner fenders with Detroit Speed mini-tubs as big fat meats were on the menu to help contain the Chevelle’s appetite for smoking rubber. They smoothed and grooved the body to their liking, then laid down a fine layer of PPG Marina Blue. They accented the envelope with Billet Rides outside mirrors and had Royal Plating in nearby Tucson treat the stock bumpers and door handles to new chrome finish.

Bodywork and Paint: Mark Lindsay, Jason Stark, and Larry Laws
Paint: PPG Marina Blue
Hood: Auto Metal Direct
Quarter-Panels: Auto Metal Direct
Fenders: Auto Metal Direct
Mini-Tubs: Detroit Speed
Bumpers: Stock trimmed and tucked
Plating: Royal Plating (Tucson, AZ)

Schwichtenberg has tremendous faith in GM’s LSA and, like many of his builds, uses the platform to power many of his customer’s rides. Mike’s Chevelle is no exception and going for reliable street manners GoodFellows dolled up the engine bay then dropped in the mostly stock mill, which inhales through a GoodFellows custom air intake tube topped with a with a Spectre Performance element. GoodFellows also fabbed up a set of custom 1¾-inch headers, a 3-inch stainless exhaust, then topped it with a pair of Spintech mufflers that attempt to subdue the commotion, but Mike confesses he likes the idea of making an audible announcement when he comes and goes. The All American Billet black accessory drive system provides excellent form and function while the PRC aluminum radiator ensures coolness prevails. The ensemble generates 540 hp to the tires, which is plenty for Mike’s idea of a fun machine.

Mike’s grandmother’s OG Chevelle was born with automatic, but Mike prefers changing gears on his terms, so a new TREMEC T56 six-speed was sourced and backed up by a McLeod twin-disc clutch. A TAD driveshaft sends power to a Strange 9-inch rearend outfitted with a limited-slip posi, 4.10 gears, and Strange 31-spline axles.

Aggressive stance and ride quality were both high priorities, so Schwichtenberg dropped the body on an Art Morrison chassis. The ensemble includes a four-link out back with Strange coilover dampers, 250-pound springs, and a GoodFellows splined sway bar. Up front are C6 style spindles, Sport IFS tubular control arms, Strange adjustable coilover shocks, 450-pound springs, GoodFellows splined sway bar, and Detroit Speed rack-and-pinion steering system.

Solid stopping was handed to Baer Brakes, featuring 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers on all four corners, while Mike relies on a Baer ReMaster for exceptional pedal feel.

The five-spoke aluminum wheels are a custom GoodFellows design, built by Boze (18×10 front, 18×12 rear) and are cloaked in Michelin Pilot sport rubber (275/35R18 front, 335/30R18 rear). The combination complements the Chevelle and gives it a personality all its own.

With the factory-style bucket seats and door panels redone in white leather, the interior conveys a stock-ish appearance complemented by the double-loop blue carpet. The stock dash houses black-face Dakota Digital HDX gauge package for vintage a look with modern performance. The ididit steering column and Billet Specialties steering wheel accent the scene, while custom nuances come by way of the Clayton Machine Works door handles, shifter, and pedals. The Vintage Air control panel looks right at home in the custom center console wrapped in white leather. The old-school-looking head unit appears harmless but is the catalyst to a 300-watt amp and a quad dose of 6×9 speakers strategically placed in the doors and package tray–a far cry from the 8-track player Mike installed in his first Chevelle.

Mike’s one-year project was well worth the short wait, and he says, “[Schwichtenberg] got it right. He built a vintage car that has all the modern bits that make me feel like I’m driving a new performance car with all the power I need. The car not only looks beautiful beyond my expectations, but it also reminds me of my grandmother’s original ’67 Chevelle, only with a lot more attitude.