Starting under the hood, Tom Betlock built a powerful 454ci big-block with a forged rotating assembly, AFR heads, and Edelbrock intake with dual carbs. Betlock dressed it in aluminum Chevrolet valve covers and bolted on a March serpentine drive system up front to liven things up. A Be Cool radiator and dual Spal electric fans keep the engine cool while Doug’s headers expel spent fuel through a 3-inch exhaust and Flowmaster mufflers. It’s all good for about 475 hp.

A TCI 700-R4 transmission sends power to a GM 12-bolt rearend stuffed with 3.73 gears and an Eaton Truetrac posi unit along with 31-spline axles. It’s a resilient system that’s plenty capable of holding up to the demands of Michael’s heavy right foot.

The suspension was upgraded with Detroit Speed coilover shocks all around while Hotchkis rear control arms and rear sway bar keep the big Monte on the level. A Hotchkis front sway bar echoes the rear and confirms body roll stays in check. A Classic Performance Products quick-ratio steering box maintains precise steering in performance driving situations.

Billet Specialties wheels, come in at 18×8 up front and 19×10 out back, are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber.

Inside is a completely redesigned interior with new custom leather, featuring custom seats, door panels, headliner, center console, dashpad, and carpeting—expertly crafted by Oz Custom Upholstery in Columbus, Kansas. For a classic touch, a RetroSound head unit maintains the vintage look while creating a modern high-end sound. The Audio Dynamics speakers are strategically placed throughout and the amps, subwoofer, and a DSP are seamlessly hidden by custom enclosed panels in the trunk. The new dash is outfitted with Dakota Digital RTX gauges, an adjustable Dakota Digital fan controller and gearshift module. A Vintage Air climate-control system maintains a comfy captain’s quarters, and a Billet Specialties steering wheel, perfectly matched to the wheels, is paired with billet pedals, shift lever, and door handles.

Nick Koehn of Nick’s MuscleCar Station handled the bodywork, design, and paint, delivering a sleek and modernized look. The front and rear bumpers were shaved, then bodyworked and finished in a flat paint for a unified appearance. A one-off custom grille features three bars with a custom mesh backing. The hideaway headlights operate via DSE motors revealing LED headlights when turned on.

The engine compartment shows a fully custom design, including a shaved firewall with a hidden bracket system for A/C and heat. Custom sheetmetal inner fenders smoothly integrate the header panel that conceals the radiator, condenser, fans, and headlight mechanisms. All panels are bead-rolled and then painted in a flat body color with stainless bolts tying everything together. The hood is secured with hinges from Eddie Motorsports.

For improved clearance, the front fender lips were trimmed while all emblems and fender trim were removed and smoothed. The windshield and rear glass are flush-mounted OEM replacements to eliminate exterior trim pieces, and the driprails were removed for a cleaner profile. The trim around the side windows, as well as the billet side mirrors by Ringbrothers, are painted in a matching flat body color. The taillights are custom LED units with a unique design, while the rear tailpanel has been smoothed, with bezels painted to complement the body color.

The exterior is finished in a custom-mixed House of Kolor Maroon, topped with eight coats of clearcoat and polished to a mile-deep gloss.

Looking back, Michael says that he would have opted for a custom chassis if given the chance, but even with the factory frame, the Monte came out better than he expected. It was a labor of love that also served as a reminder of his dad’s unwavering support, his belief in Michael’s dreams, and the simple joy of taking a ride together in a car that was brought back to life through passion and persistence. And what a ride it’s been.