This Chevelle Is A Lesson In Building A Great Pro-Touring Hot Rod

This Chevelle Is A Lesson In Building A Great Pro-Touring Hot Rod

What would you consider to be the ultimate hot rod? Would it be a classic that showcases a few “day two” period-correct parts? Maybe it’s one that still wears its factory go-fast parts. For Mike Campbell, a hot rod is far beyond what the factory ever imagined.

“When I found this car, it had been sitting under a tent on Vashon Island for ten years,” says Mike. Vashon Island is a small plot of floating land between Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington. “The car was wearing a ’72 front clip and rear bumper when I found it, but it’s all ’70 Chevelle.”

'70 Chevelle

When the project began, the car was a hodgepodge of early ’70s-model parts.

Mike tells us he fells his ride is the ultimate Pro-Touring ’70 Chevelle. “The car received a three year, no-expense-spared, frame-off rebuild,” Mike affirms. “This track-ready California car was hand-built from scratch by the craftsmen at Modern Motoring in Orange, California.

Subtle body modifications combined with the elimination of any badging or stripes gives the car a smooth, modern look while retaining its DNA as an American muscle car. The Super Sport dash, side mirrors, and exterior door handles maintain the heritage. However, under the factory-instilled good looks is equipment to make this car handle like a modern machine.

70 Chevelle

The corner-handling suspension consists of Viking double-adjustable coilovers on all four corners supporting a UMI Performance front and rear suspension. “The entire frame was sandblasted, boxed and braced with several customizations,” states Mike. “Plus, cross bracing was added to deliver exceptional performance, safety, and reliability. The car handles wonderfully and loves the corners on the autocross track. With the updated suspension, Hydroboost-activated Wilwood Engineering disk brakes, the car is an absolute blast to drive. It offers a smooth, tight, turning radius and the power steering delivers an unforgettable driving experience.”

Under the hood of this awe-inspiring Chevelle is a FAST EFI system feeding the 540ci big block. Internal goodies include a hydraulic-roller cam, forged 4.250-inch stroke crank, 6.385-inch forged H-beam rods, and forged pistons creating a 10.0:1 compression ratio.

70 Chevelle

The interior is 100-percent custom without robbing the 1970 Chevelle of its DNA or looking like the cockpit of a spaceship. From the beautiful one-piece seamless headliner to the wrapped SS Chevelle dash and center console with subtle stitching, to the custom door panels with Fesler armrests, the theme is well-matched throughout. A deep-black Porsche carpet has been installed throughout the cabin and trunk. Front passengers ride in Cerullo XR Sport seats. LED interior lighting is placed throughout the cabin and trunk.

The engine dyno’d at 686 hp at 5,900 rpm with no less than 600 lb/ft of torque annihilating the rear tires. “This fuel-injected behemoth purrs like a kitten yet is incredibly drivable,” confirms Mike. “Behind the engine is a TREMEC six-speed manual and Currie 9-inch rear.”

With a lot of help from Jake Taufique of Modern Motoring in Orange County, California, Mike’s ’70 Chevelle could very well be one of the coolest Pro-Touring cars we’ve seen in a while.

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About the author

Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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