To handle the engine’s immense power, the Chevelle is equipped with a TREMEC T56 transmission paired with an ACT twin-disc clutch, giving Rick smooth shifts and solid performance. A Bowler Performance Nightstick shifter offers precise gear changes, while a driveshaft from Inland Empire Driveline reliably transfers power to a 12-bolt axle with 3.90 gears, Eaton Truetrac posi, and Moser 31-spline axles. The combination delivers dependable traction, making this Chevelle as capable on the dragstrip as it is on the open road.

With power comes the need for control, and Dutchboys didn’t skimp on the suspension setup. The front suspension includes a Detroit Speed 3 kit featuring Detroit Speed spindles, control arms, and JRi single-adjustable coilover shocks with 550-pound springs. A 1 3/8-inch sway bar further enhances stability, ensuring the Chevelle stays planted through corners. Out back, the Detroit Speed QUADRALink system with JRi coilovers and a 1 1/8-inch sway bar keeps the rear balanced and performance ready.

For stopping power, the Chevelle is outfitted with GM Z06 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers up front, with 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear—all controlled by a Baer Remaster master cylinder, providing confident, smooth braking.

The Chevelle rides on Forgeline FL500 wheels, with 18x9s up front and 19x10s in the rear, wrapped in Michelin PS4 tires (265/23R18 front and 285/35R19 rear). This combination provides the ideal blend of performance and aesthetics, ensuring the car looks just as good standing still as it does rolling down the highway.

Inside, Rick wanted a blend of comfort, style, and functionality. Dutchboys Hotrods and Brian Bohde from Bohde’s Custom Auto Interiors collaborated to create an interior that pairs black leather upholstery with OE hook-and-loop carpeting and custom door panels. Corbeau GTS II seats offer comfort and support, while Morris Classics seatbelts provide safety. The Chevelle retains its classic factory dash but adds modern Dakota Digital RTX instrumentation, American Autowire wiring, and a RetroSound head unit paired with Focal speakers, for a brilliant audio experience. A Vintage Air HVAC system ensures that cruising is comfortable no matter the weather.

The Chevelle’s exterior retains its classic look but has been refined by Dutchboys to achieve a level of smoothness and shine that makes it a head-turner. The BASF Misty Turquois paint brings out the car’s bold lines, giving it a subtle yet sophisticated appeal. Factory-style bumpers, Holley headlights, Digi-Tails taillights, and brightwork provided by the experts at Advanced Plating complete the exterior’s blend of classic and custom elements.

Rick Van Unen’s 1970 Chevelle isn’t just a car—it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion. Every component, from the powerful LS7 to the refined bodywork and paint, confirms the Dutchboys Hotrods crew builds extraordinary muscle cars of the highest quality and reliability. For Rick, the joy is in the journey, both literally and figuratively. He isn’t just driving a car, he’s continuing a lifelong adventure.