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Django
07-02-2013, 07:25 PM
My name is Chad. I have a '67 Chevelle convertible that my Dad bought out of a junkyard when I was 9 years old. He started fixing it, but it sat in a body shop for 5 years. He gave it to me in '87 (I was 16) under the condition that I sell my '67 Chevelle hardtop and put all the money into the convertible. I finished it the day before my senior year of high school.

1979...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/chevelle79-1.jpg

Now...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/chevelle_photoshoot_3-1.jpg

I also have a '67 Chevelle wagon project that I've had for 12 years. Clearly not in any hurry, but I'm leaning towards turning it into a daily driver at this point. This is an old picture at my parent's farm...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/67wagonJPG-1.jpg

My Dad has a sister to my convertible. He is the reason I love '67s... because he loves '67s. He also has 2 hardtops, and several El Caminos (mostly junk but we did just buy a super nice project car to be a daily driver for him).

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/67Dad1JPG-1.jpg

I also have 4 '36 Fords and a '55 Chevy wagon.

Professionally, I am an owner in 2 companies: Django Studios, an automotive graphic design/marketing agency, and Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle, a shop in Chicago specializing in 1964 and older hot rods, customs and race cars.

Why am I here? My experience with the Raybestos GTO really was eye opening on the performance aspect of the A-bodies on a road course. We spent a day at Gingerman Raceway filming an episode of Hot Rod TV and had a blast! I'm hooked for sure. I have a couple friends with Pro Touring cars as well. I've been on the Chevelles.com board for 13 years. Several people in the Pro Touring section there recommended this site, so here I am.

The convertible is a bench seat, column shift (tilt) car. Some days I wish I had built it as a 4 speed car, but back in the '80s, a factory tilt column was pretty rare and you couldn't buy one from Flaming River or Ididit in those days. I'd love to put a 6 speed in it, but that opens a can of worms... new bucket seats, console, column... which will lead to some DSE parts I'm sure. I just don't know if I can bring myself to do it. It's a convertible, so I don't know how competitive it would be on the Autocross or the Optima events without major modification, and I don't know if I can bring myself to do that to this car. It's been mostly stock for 25 years (built motor). But my 4.5 year old son wants to build one of the hardtops in GrandDad's barn, so we'll see how that turns out. :D

srh3trinity
07-02-2013, 08:14 PM
I like the look of the vert. Are those oversized steelies?

Django
07-03-2013, 03:28 AM
No, 15" 80's GM wagon wheels.

dontlifttoshift
07-03-2013, 03:47 AM
Hi Chad!

Django
07-03-2013, 04:47 AM
Hey Donny! Are you going to the Goodguys show in Columbus?

BMR Sales
07-03-2013, 01:02 PM
Welcome Chad..... great story and the car looks absolutely great as is! You have great taste and it shows in the finished product! Tell us more about the '55 wagon!

Django
07-04-2013, 05:29 AM
Thanks Rich. The '55 is a 210. I put in a '58 Buick grille, and dropped spindles, springs and a disc brake kit. The motor is still the 265/PG and it's still kicking, but I have a 400 and a 700R4 ready to go in. The wheels are regular steel wheels in front, and the same wheels on the rear as the Chevelle.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/buickgrille_11-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/55wagon_shootrear-1.png

Here's my '36 Ford coupe. My Dad bought it in '64 when he was 15. It's running a 302/C4.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/36_T6-1.jpg

BMR Sales
07-05-2013, 07:47 AM
Great looking cars! The grill works great in the '55

Daves_RX7
07-14-2013, 08:00 AM
HOWDY.....Howdy! Great Post ! You need to make it a point to attend the Heidt's Performance Pro-Touring event next Year in May. It will be a 3 day event in your Back door at The Autobahn Motor Sport Country Club Joliet, Illinois. Dave H