There are folks who relish in fully restoring a vehicle while others are content to enjoy the fruits of another’s labors. For Gregg Wedemeyer, the perfect project vehicle is found somewhere in the middle. That’s exactly where he found this ’69 Chevelle SS396 convertible.
He’s owned this gorgeous big-block ’69 Chevelle for about eight years, but getting the car to this point of completion took a little longer than that. He located the car in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area of Pennsylvania. The previous owner began the restoration, and Gregg confided that having the entire floor pans, quarter panels, and trunk already replaced was a huge factor as he was considering buying the car.
The previous owner had been working on the '69 Chevelle for two years before Gregg purchased it. The 396 cubic-inch engine, chassis, and all the metal work were already done so Gregg could focus on those personal touches to make the car perfect for him.
Beyond having all the right metal installed, all of the paintwork, including that striking Butternut Yellow hue, was already completed when Gregg looked at this project vehicle. The new convertible top was already in place, and there were enough minor things left to do that allowed Gregg to give the car his personal touch.
Personalizing A ’69 Chevelle SS396
Some would never consider veering from the factory production sheet of a big-block ’69 Chevelle SS396, but Gregg knew what he wanted, and this was the perfect project vehicle to make it happen. That doesn’t mean he tossed all that classic Chevrolet styling to the wind though. While building his perfect restomod, Gregg also enlisted help from Original Parts Group Inc.’s (OPGI) catalog to ensure his super-Chevelle didn’t wander too far from its roots.
A big-block ’69 Chevelle is iconic enough that you don’t need to mess with the recipe for greatness. Gregg only added things that would perfect the ride to his liking, such as the headers and dual exhaust that help his SS396 breathe.
Instead, he decided to upgrade areas that, had they been available back in the day, he would have surely checked each box with glee. At the top of the list, is the Tremec TKO five-speed transmission mounted to the rear of that wide-valve-covered monster residing under the hood. “Having that extra gear really makes this car a joy to drive,” he says.
Gregg's Chevelle also has a Tremec TKO overdrive transmission. He loves the extra gear while driving his car and the hydraulic clutch helps keep his left leg well-rested. You'll find the reservoir for the hydraulic clutch tucked behind the power brake booster (right).
Of course, since the OEM seal was already broken on the drivetrain, the engine was also upgraded with some modern touches, such as the Edelbrock intake and Holley 750 cfm carburetor. A Mallory ignition makes sure all the fuel is utilized and a set of headers and 2 ½-inch Flowmaster mufflers make sure it all goes out the back of the vehicle once it has expended its usefulness.
That woodgrain wheel now resides on a tilt column to ease ingress and egress. The car features air-conditioning and a bevy of power options including steering, brakes, windows, and for open-air cruising, a power drop-top.
Rather than be limited by decades-old technology, Gregg’s SS396 engine now runs to the beat of a COMP hydraulic camshaft to motivate each of the roller rockers atop each bank of heads. The set-it-and-forget-it reliability of hydraulic lifters joins in perfect unity with the overdrive transmission, power steering/brakes, and air conditioning so that every mile traveled is a true joy. Gregg can also drop the top at will to get the ultimate driving experience whenever he wants.
This Chevelle Is Now The Perfect Driver
When we caught up with Gregg at the Carlisle GM Nationals, he explained that he built this car so he could enjoy driving it. He was looking to retire soon and this would make the perfect vehicle for bolting around town and hitting all the automotive hot spots and cruise nights. And, even though the car’s previous owner did most of the heavy lifting during the restoration, they left enough room for Gregg to finish the build and create it into the perfect driver. We think he did an excellent job!
