The Fig family’s ’71 vert over 15 years ago.

We like to browse Team Chevelle and see what cool Chevelle’s are being built. Every variation is being built on there from 100% stock El Caminos to pro touring sedans. Anything and everything Chevelle related can be found on Team Chevelle. 

One build caught our eye and tugged at our heart. A long time Maryland Chevelle Club member, Cathy Figuracion was diagnosed with brain cancer in November of 2013. Cathy has gone through extensive treatment to fight the cancer but in February the doctors told her that there was nothing else they could do. Given only six to nine more months to live, her last wish was to ride in her prized 1971 Chevelle convertible one more time. The drop top was currently under restoration, with rust issues being addressed that had appeared. 

A group of close family and friends has set out to make that exact dream come true. The group has been working hard on weekends and nights trying to get the car restored. Talking with one of the gentlemen on the build, Tom Rightler, he said that “we hope to have the car finished in two to three months.” Tom is a close friend of the entire Figuracion family and has been for many years. 

Stripped with the sheet metal floor removed.

What made this story especially touching to us was the amount of support that the car community showed Cathy in her quest to drive her Chevelle again. Besides the close group of friends and family,  Ground Up chipped in to help. “Anything we can do to help” said Ground Up’s Paul Wolfer. “The Fig family have been long time customers and we are happy to help them in a time of need.” TMI Products also wanted to help Cathy reach her dream with a set of their Sport Seat interiors . On top of the friends, family and company support, all sorts of people have donated money to help buy the parts necessary for the restoration. 

The group was trying to reach a goal of $8,000 to finance the project. Any leftover money would be given to the Figuracion family to help Cathy. To date, almost $9,000 has been raised. “We really appreciate all the support we have received during this build” said Tom during an interview. “We hope Cathy is able to enjoy a ride in her car one last time, along with getting it finished so her family has a remembrance of her.” 

The car had already been restored once, roughly 17 years ago. The car looked great, but some of the original sheet metal was starting to give way and needed to be replaced, such as the floors and trunk. The first step in the restoration was to completely strip the car down to bare metal to asses what needed replacing. The crew found out the entire floor and trunk were going to have to be replaced.  

We will keep you updated on this build during the next few weeks, with a full car feature once the car is finished. Be sure to come back for updates! 

A small army attacked the Chevelle, stripping the body to get ready for replacement panels.