New school hot rods give us performance, reliability, and comfort but do they give us the same chills as a big block powered muscle car with 15:1 compression?

Take the Chevelle for example. It was Chevy’s midsize automobile that was originally intended to be an affordable car that could suit just about any purpose. From a four-door station wagon to a big block Super Sport the Chevelle could be ordered in just about any configuration. Perhaps that’s why it’s such a popular car to this day.

The 1969 Chevelle is one of the hottest muscle cars on the planet to restore or customize. Just like when it came out originally, today it can be made to suit anyone. With the availability of aftermarket parts it’s possible to build anything from a stock grocery getter to a full out racecar. Lately the trend has been to update these Chevelles to modern standards with more reliable drive trains built for economy, updated suspensions tuned for handling, and tons of creature comforts. What ever happened to old school?

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The Undertaker holds your 2010 Camaro's ticket to the pearly gates (or lake of fire for your 5.0).

Henry Thomae is the owner of a local funeral home and just such a Chevelle that is better known as The Undertaker. Both have a reputation for putting things in the ground. A modern muscle machine might give this car a run on the round track but if you are unfortunate enough to bump into this beast at a stop light The Undertaker is going to put you six feet under!

When Henry discovered this Chevelle at The Super Chevy Show in Ennis, TX back in 2001 it packed a 454 and was treated well by its previous owner. However it simply wasn’t hairy enough. A 2-speed Powerglide, full roll cage, old school back-half, 4:10 gears, 10.5 inch Mickey Thompson’s, and a few bolts of lightening were added to create the monster that The Undertaker is now.

If a 606 cubic inch rat infested Chevelle with 1100 naturally aspirated horsepower isn’t scary enough, this Reher Morrison Big Chief motor simply breathes a healthy whiff of nitrous oxide and exhales a monstrous 1700 ponies. You won’t find any fuel injection here! With an insatiable thirst for 116 octane, The Undertaker screams down the quarter mile in almost eight seconds flat with a best of 7.97 at 175 mph.

Did we mention this behemoth is street legal? After cremating its opponents The Undertaker cruises down the boulevard with a funeral procession of competitors in the rear view mirror.

Henry is happy with the way that The Undertaker turned out. He has no future plans for his ’69 Chevelle aside from scaring children and waking up the dead when he passes through town.

Check out the video to see The Undertaker help some smoke and tires make their way to heaven.