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For Rich Connolly of Tucson, Arizona, it’s definitely been a labor of love to get this Chevy back into driveable condition. The project started when he shelled out $350 to purchase the car. Rich knew he had a lot of work ahead of him, because for that price, you definitely don’t get a turn-key car. “I wanted this car because it was inexpensive, and I wanted to save one more Z28 from disappearing to the bone yard,” Rich told us. “And let’s face it, we all wanted one of these when we were in high school.”
This car is hardly recognizable from the condition it was in when Rich bought it.
The car didn’t run when he bought it, as some aspiring mechanic removed the distributor’s vacuum advance, radiator, and the core support. On top of that, the carburetor was shot. It was basically a rolling shell with an inoperable engine. Rich started by installing a core support and radiator, a new HEI distributor, a Holley 650 cfm carburetor, and a timing chain to get her running again.
The car was originally blue with a charcoal stripe and Oyster Silver interior. Surprisingly, the Z came to Rich in virtually rust free condition – that includes the floors. Even with the solid floorboards, Rich opted to use a healthy coating of POR-15 for future rust prevention. He also added a lot of sound deadening material and new carpet to make for a nice, quiet ride.
The bodywork as Rich prepared for the frame-on paintjob.
When it came time for paint, he decided to retain a blue hue, but it’s not quite original. The shiny stuff is a single-stage metallic blue from a 2013 Kenworth. Rich and one of his friends worked together to finish the paint and bodywork. While Rich is slightly critical of his own work, we think it looks pretty darn good.
Just look at that fresh blue shine. Pictures can't do a color like this justice.
Rich is still working to refurbish the interior, which is now going to be black. “The driver’s seat still needs to be upholstered, and I have all new gauges to install. I need to build a dash insert first to fit the factory location,” Rich explained. A project that has been on going for the last nine-years, this car still has a lot of remaining work in its future. “My wife says that this isn’t the last paint job it’s going to get.”
The factory-installed 350 cubic-inch engine and Turbo 350 automatic transmission are still powering the car, but a change is planned. The relatively modest engine will soon be coming out in favor of something with just a little more kick: a 383 cubic-inch stroker motor.
The original 350 cubic-inch engine in the car now (left) and the assembled short-block 383 cubic-inch stroker (right).
Along with the upgraded engine, Rich is planning to add a positraction rearend with 3.42 gearing, and a 700R4 transmission for highway driving. Not missing any details in regards to the power upgrade, Rich said, “Last but not least, the exhaust needs to be replaced from the headers back.”
The interior as it sits now (left two) and the Z28 enjoying a sunset next to a first generation Camaro.
What do you think of the build Rich has going so far? We think it looks great for a frame-on paintjob and a $350 investment start to the project. Does it inspire you to work on your own project car? Let us know in the comments below, and if you have a project of your own that you’ve been slaving away at building, share it with us! Send us an email, and yours could be the next Chevy project featured in our Reader’s Hardcore Projects.
