FEATURE
Images by NotStock Photographyt’s no secret that California is a gold mine for classic car hunters who know where to look. The dry climate has long been a protector of Detroit sheetmetal, offering up sunbaked survivors instead of rusted-out basket cases. For the right buyer, that means finding a solid starting point for a project car that won’t require half your budget in quarter-panels and floorpans.
Larry Fannin of Lewis Center, Ohio, knew exactly where to dig. Back in 2005, after a lengthy Internet search that led him to eBay, he found his dream machine–a 1969 Chevelle sitting in Ontario, California, commonly known to the locals as “The IE” or “Inland Empire.” Larry tells us the car originated from a lady who bought it new and drove it daily for decades. The car took a less predictable turn and spent time in the hands of a local drug dealer who wound up in prison. The car languished in storage until a police officer rescued it and held onto it for years before finally listing it for sale Online.
“The officer had his price and I had mine,” Larry recalls. “After a month of sitting on my offer, the cop finally called and said, ‘You’ve got yourself a deal.’ I jumped on a plane to check it out in person, made it official, and arranged for a hauler to ship the car back to Ohio. I didn’t know the car’s running condition, so I chose not to risk driving it across the country.”
That’s when Larry decided the car deserved a full resurrection–one that blends old-school cool with modern firepower. While he’s handy with tools and not afraid to turn a wrench, Larry knew this project was beyond a simple weekend upgrade. For that, he turned to Griffin Automotive Design in Bonne Terre, Missouri, a shop known for excellent craftsmanship paired with go-fast know-how.
“Scott and Gabe at Griffin were incredible,” Larry says. “They listened to what I wanted for the Chevelle–not just the look, but the sound, the stance, the attitude. I had a vision of a car that looked classic but hit like a modern muscle car. They absolutely nailed it.”
The Chevelle’s second life started under the hood with a Chevrolet Performance LSX punched up with a pair of Precision turbochargers. Out of the box, the LSX is a stout 376ci performer with a 9:1 squeeze, but once Griffin Automotive got done with it, the thing was transformed into an absolute street brawler. The rotating assembly features a forged steel crankshaft, forged powdered metal rods, and forged aluminum pistons.
A Shaun’s Custom Alloy intake feeds the engine, with a Holley Dominator fuel injection system handling the brains of the operation. The powerful ensemble exhales through a custom Griffin-fabbed exhaust system with 3-inch pipes and MagnaFlow mufflers, offering an exhaust note of authority. The result? A pavement wrinkling 880 hp and 776 lb-ft of torque–enough to make even seasoned gearheads take a second look.
Boyd Coddington Speedster wheels are wrapped in Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 rubber. The stance hits the sweet spot between aggressive and classic; the rake, not too wild; the tire gap, nice and tight. It’s pure muscle car attitude, dialed in just right.
Inside, the Griffin crew went with comfort meeting classic. The seats retain their OE shape but now wear custom foam and black leather/vinyl upholstery, stitched to perfection. The factory dash houses Dakota Digital HDX gauges that modernize the readouts while keeping the stock aesthetic. Steering is handled by an Ididit column and Billet Specialties steering wheel, while the factory horseshoe shifter remains as a nod to the car’s heritage. The new wiring harness comes by way of American Autowire and Vintage Air handles climate control.
Outside, the Griffin gang handled the bodywork and laid down a flawless coat of Axalta Pearl White Tricoat. The body remains mostly stock with a front spoiler and some cleanup touches along with Holley RetroBright headlights for improved nighttime visibility. The stock grille, bumpers, and taillights were restored to factory form, letting the brilliant paint do the talking.
Chevelle’s have always been part of Larry’s DNA. Although he’s owned and currently owns various brands and models of muscle cars, Larry says, “The Chevelle is just my kind of ride. It’s the one people stop and stare at, and it’s the one that still gives me a rush when I fire it up.
That’s saying something when you have 880 hp under your right foot. For Larry Fannin, this 1969 Chevelle isn’t just a restoration–it’s a statement. Proof that with the right car, the right shop, and the right vision, you can blend vintage soul with modern muscle and come out with something truly timeless that also hauls ass.
Vehicle: 1969 Chevelle Malibu
Type: LSX B15
Displacement: 376 ci
Compression Ratio: 9.1
Bore: 4.065 inches
Stroke: 3.622 inches
Builder: Chevrolet Performance
Rotating Assembly: Forged steel crankshaft, forged powdered metal connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller 0.560/555 lift, 210/230 degrees duration at 0.050
Cylinder Heads: LSX LS3 rectangular port, “as-cast” 68cc chambers
Induction: Shaun’s Custom Alloy intake
Fuel Injection: Holley Dominator
Power Adder: Twin Precision Turbos
Exhaust: Griffin Automotive Design (Bonne Terre, MO) custom headers, 3-inch custom exhaust, MagnaFlow mufflers
Valve Covers: Chevrolet Performance
Accessory Drive: Vintage Air
Ancillaries: Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
Output: 880 hp at 6,300 rpm, 776 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
Transmission: GM 4L80E by Transmissions to Go (Arnold, MO)
Torque Converter: TSI
Driveshaft: Dirty Birds Driveshafts
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch, 3.73 gears, Truetrac posi
Front Suspension: QA1 tubular control arms, QA1 coilover shocks, Hotchkis sway bar, PSC quick-ratio steering gearbox
Rear Suspension: UMI suspension system, QA1 coilover shocks, Hotchkis sway bar
Wheels: Boyd Coddington Speedster, 18×8 front, 20×10 rear
Tires: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 235/50R18 front, 275/40R20 rear
Upholstery: Black leather and vinyl
Installation: Griffin Automotive Design
Seats: Modified OE with custom foam and covers
Steering: Ididit steering column, Billet Specialties steering wheel
Dash: Factory
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital
Shifter: OE Horseshoe
Wiring: American Autowire by Griffin Automotive
HVAC: Vintage Air
Control Panel: Vintage Air
Entertainment System: Custom Autosound head unit, Audio Dynamics amplifiers, Audio Dynamics speakers, Audio Dynamics subwoofer installed by Griffin Automotive
Bodywork and Paint: Griffin Automotive
Paint: Axalta Pearl White Tricoat
Grille: Stock
Bumpers: Stock
Headlights: Holley RetroBright
Taillights: Stock