As we venture across the U.S. on our Stateside Shop Tour, we’re focusing on unique shops in all 50 states that do work on Bow Tie cars and trucks. This week’s stop puts us in Savage, Minnesota, with Straight Line Customs.

Owner and founder Dan Pearson talked to us to give us a look at his his background, and how it played into the creation of SLC. “I was 14 when I started building and restoring cars,” he told us. “The first car we ever worked on was a 1966 Mustang. I grew up and joined the United States Army and got shipped off to Germany. I continued to work on cars while I was there.”

“I came back to the States in 2000, and stayed in the National Guard for another five years after that,” he continued. “By 2007, I decided to go into business. My wife – she’s the accountant – and I started it in a 1,500 square-foot shop. We’re now in a 5,500 square-foot shop, and have six employees, so we’re making steady growth and I’m really happy with it.”

One of the coolest builds taken on by SLC is a 1965 Chevelle, belonging to Pearson. He purchased the car as a roller in 2013, and immediately set to work on it. “I stripped it down and put it on a rotisserie,” he said. “There were a lot of areas that needed addressing, that’s for sure. The floorpans were bad, and the quarter-panels had issues of their own.”

Purchased in 2013 as a roller, this 1965 Chevelle SS has come a long way since its rusty beginnings.

Pearson added mini tubs to accommodation bigger tires, and also added a coilover suspension as well. Tubular control arms were installed, as were disc brakes at all four corners. A 9-inch rearend with a 3.73:1 gear and an Eaton True Trac limited-slip differential was installed. A lack of traction is not be an issue with the Chevelle.

The 383ci stroker V8 generates 460 horsepower for plenty of smiles per mile.

The engine selected was a 383ci stroker V8 making 460 horsepower. It is equipped with a roller camshaft, roller rockers, an Edelbrock RPM intake manifold, Quick Fuel carburetor, serpentine belt system, MSD ignition, and hydro-boost power brake and steering system. Pearson did not add an air conditioning system though, because “it’s a convertible. Who needs A/C when you can put the top down?”

A 700R4 transmission with a 3,500 rpm stall converter was mated to the V8, as was a set of Hedman headers that flow into a custom-fabricated exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers. As for the interior, bucket seats are used both front and rear, and a B&M shifter, Dakota Digital VHX gauge cluster, and more, make the cabin look cherry. The exterior looks amazing coated with a Dark Blue Pearl with a charcoal-hued fabric top, Foose wheels, and BF Goodrich KDW tires.

Pearson doesn’t plan to change anything on the Chevelle in the near future. “I love Chevelles, they’re just all-around sharp-looking cars, from mid-’60s up to the ’70s,” he said. “They’re fun, and everyone I talk to wants one to call their own.”
Week by week, month by month, Straightline Customs is taking the sometimes forgotten but always famous cars of yesteryear and restoring them to their former glory. Check out Straight Line Customs online to find out more.

We know there are hundreds of shops across the country building custom classic Chevys, and we want to hear about them. If you know of a shop building something cool, please let us know about it.