Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle: A Family Heirloom Reborn

Every car tells a story, but few carry the emotional weight found in Steven and Tabbi Cifers’ 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible. Known within the Cifers family as “Uncle Ruben’s car,” this stunning machine has been part of their lives for more than five decades. When it finally came time to bring it back to life, Steven and Tabbi turned to Love Kustoms to complete what had become a deeply personal build. The finished Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle is a breathtaking resto-mod that honors family history while embracing modern performance and design.

A Family Legacy Reborn

The story begins in 1969, when Steven’s Uncle Ruben purchased the Chevelle and became its second owner. For years, it served as a centerpiece at family gatherings, a symbol of pride, and a rolling piece of family history. Steven grew up around that car, and his uncle’s influence extended well beyond the garage. Ruben served as Steven’s mentor, helping guide him into a successful career in commercial refrigeration and shaping his work ethic along the way.

By 2006, time had taken its toll on the convertible. Rust and neglect had left it in poor condition, and it had been years since the Chevelle had seen the road. When Steven was allowed to purchase it, he saw a chance to preserve his uncle’s memory. Sadly, shortly after he brought the car home, Uncle Ruben passed away. What began as a dream of a simple restoration quickly became a mission to keep his legacy alive.

The journey, however, was anything but simple. After several years and significant investment at a previous shop, the car remained unfinished and in disarray. Disappointed but determined, Steven and Tabbi reached out to Love Kustoms four years ago to see if the car could finally be completed.

Starting Over From Scratch

When Zac Love and his crew at Love Kustoms examined the Chevelle, they realized it needed far more than a few finishing touches. Beneath the surface, the previous work had left major structural and cosmetic issues. After some honest conversations, the team and the Cifers decided the only way to do justice to the car and Uncle Ruben’s memory was to start over from scratch.

The mission was clear: Create a Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle that captured the spirit of the original while elevating it into a high-end resto-mod built to last. From the beginning, the Love Kustoms team focused on preserving the car’s classic lines and character while refining every inch for show-quality precision.

The bodywork alone consumed hundreds of hours. Every panel was smoothed, reshaped, and aligned to exacting standards. The bumpers were tucked closer to the body for a sleeker profile, and the gaps were tightened until every line flowed perfectly. The result is a car that looks like a factory masterpiece at first glance, but reveals layers of custom craftsmanship upon closer inspection.

Crafting Perfection Under The Hood

The engine bay became the centerpiece of the project. Love Kustoms hand-fabricated nearly every surface, transforming the space into a showpiece for the 402 cubic-inch big-block Chevy. The engine is paired with a Turbo 400 transmission, Holley Sniper fuel injection, Jet-Hot-coated headers, and a CVF Racing pulley system. Each component was carefully finished, color-matched, or polished, creating a seamless, high-end presentation.

The clean look of the bay conceals an immense amount of detail work. Wiring and plumbing were routed out of sight, and the underside of the hood was reshaped for a refined, factory-inspired finish. To enhance the design, Love Kustoms commissioned Dan from Alumicraft to machine billet hood louvers featuring the geometric styling used throughout the car.

Those same design elements carry into the interior and dash. Master Machine produced a custom-machined upper dash panel and seat medallions that tie in with the Lokar shifter, Clayton Machine Works interior hardware, and CVF Racing billet hood hinges. Every element shares a consistent visual language, creating unity throughout the build.

Suspension, Stance, And Sound

The stance of the Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle is the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. The car rides on a modified stock chassis featuring smoothed and detailed frame rails, a UMI Tubular Pro Touring suspension, and Viking coilovers. A narrowed Moser 12-bolt rearend provides strength and allows for the deep rear wheels, while Wilwood brakes deliver the stopping power needed for modern driving.

Steven’s preferences leaned toward an old-school aesthetic, but the Love Kustoms team worked to blend vintage influence with modern proportions. The car rolls on staggered Schott Mach V Concave wheels, 18×8 inches up front and 20×10.5 inches in the rear, wrapped in Diamond Back Classics Redline tires. The sidewalls perfectly complement the PPG Firecracker Red paint and evoke the car’s heritage while keeping its styling current.

Underneath, the attention to detail continues. The smoothed, color-matched frame contrasts against gloss black suspension components, while a fully polished stainless steel exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers completes the undercarriage. The system delivers a deep, refined tone that adds presence without overwhelming the car’s character.

Interior Craftsmanship And Comfort

The interior of the Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle combines high-end craftsmanship with subtle modern upgrades. Kings Auto Upholstery created a custom cabin wrapped in red leather and red German carpet, finished with a mirror-black fast-track convertible top. Every surface flows seamlessly, maintaining the car’s cohesive theme.

Modern electronics and comfort features integrate naturally. Dakota Digital gauges and LED taillights bring precision and clarity, while Dapper Lighting 575 RGB switchback halo headlights update the exterior’s illumination. Inside, an Ididit steering column, Lokar shifter, and custom-machined dash knobs by BBT Fab offer tactile, high-quality finishes. The custom-machined dash panel by Master Machine continues the geometric theme from the hood louvers and pulley system.

Climate control is handled by a Vintage Air A/C and heat system, while ABS electric components support braking. A Custom Autosound radio combines classic styling with modern sound quality, ensuring the car remains comfortable for both cruising and show use.

A Tribute Realized

By the time the Chevelle left Love Kustoms in November 2024, it had transformed from a stalled project into a show-quality machine. The flawless PPG Firecracker Red paint and PPG Vibrance clear coat accentuate every curve and detail, while the craftsmanship beneath the surface tells the real story of dedication and perseverance.

Since its completion, the Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle has dominated the show circuit. It earned multiple awards in the indoor ISCA circuit, including the prestigious Neptune’s Trident Elite Competition, along with several Goodguys honors during its outdoor debut. Its success reflects both the technical excellence of Love Kustoms and the unwavering passion of Steven and Tabbi, who never gave up on a family legacy.

Most recently, the Chevelle appeared at the NSRA Builders Showcase in Louisville and the Triple Crown of Rodding in Nashville. Each appearance marked another step in sharing Uncle Ruben’s legacy with a new generation of enthusiasts.

Legacy, Dedication, And Craftsmanship

The Love Kustoms ’67 Chevelle embodies memory, precision, and loyalty. For Steven and Tabbi Cifers, the car represents their perseverance and love for family. For Zac Love and his team, it demonstrates the artistry of turning emotion into metal. Every surface and design choice carries meaning, shaped by years of work and a shared goal of honoring a man who inspired it all.

Uncle Ruben’s Chevelle now lives on as a world-class resto-mod, rebuilt with care, designed with purpose, and destined to remain part of the Cifers’ story for generations to come.