1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu series Cpe Resto Mod PPG Metallic blue

1971 Chevelle Resto –Mod-ONE OFF

This car was purchased new by a couple who resided in Scranton, Pennsylvania with a factory heater delete (delete plate has a GM serial #). After one year of driving, the wife passed away and the car was stored in the garage by the husband for 20 years with only 2,089 miles. Cal Nicholson, a GM technician, who worked in the Research and Development section of the High Performance Division at GM purchased the car at an Estate Sale in 1991 with a notarized note from the husband stating the verification of the mileage at 2,089 . Cal decided to use the car for a Test Bed of Hi Performance GM parts and race car technology to create a Sleeper Resto-Mod. The car was completely disassembled to be re-created as a rolling Test Bed.

I am the third owner and the car has been in my possession for 17 years. The car has never been exposed to inclement weather, raced or abused in any manner and is in new condition.

A Cal Nicholson Production with a NASCAR theme. Mr. Nicholson was a technician working in the GM High Performance Parts Division with Research and Development.

Car featured in December 1996 Chevy Hi-Performance magazine

Car featured in February 1997 Super Chevy magazine

I have copies of the magazines in addition to other documentation such as a copy of the original Pennsylvania title, all data and dyno sheets from Katech motors, the original authorized dealer selling plate, the original dealer plate attached to the original vehicle warranty paper.

The Chevelle has 3,500 ORIGINAL miles with approximately 1,400 miles on the total restoration

ENGINE:

IMSA GTP 396 cu.in. Bowtie all aluminum splayed valve racing block with 4.120 inch bore. Used in IMSA GTP Road Course racing. (A CUSTOM CAMSHAFT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ARE NEEDED for SPLAYED VALVE HEADS ON A CHEVY SMALL BLOCK.) The engine produces 577 HP at 6700 RPM’s but has produced 680 HP.

The short block was assembled at Katech Motors in Detroit Michigan with a lightened steel Moldex 3.700-stroke crankshaft, Carrillo rods and 10.1 J.E pistons.

The racing cam was replaced with a Isky roller cam spinning on needle bearings in the block/ Jesel timing belt, with a Katech Rev Kit, and Moroso external oil pump.

Katech’s engines have also powered the famous GM Corvette Racing team which has dominated the U.S. and global GT racing circuit by capturing six championships and won the legendary 24 Hours of LeMans six times over enormous competition from Aston Martin, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, etc. Their engines have powered many champions including, A.J. Foyt, Dale Earnhart, Dale Earnhart Jr., Jimmy Johnson, Johnny O’Connell, and Ron Fellows. Their experience and knowledge gained in motorsports have allowed them to perfect their street performance product line.

Splayed valve heads (test bed) converted from GTP racing to street performance by Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson advised me that only two sets of these proto type heads exist, one on the Chevelle and one in his possession .

The all aluminum heads were fully ported by Diamond Racing Engines and fitted with titanium 2.12 inch intake and 1.62 inch exhaust valves, Isky triple springs, Jesel 1.65:1 roller rockers and Del West titanium retainers for valve train

AT1 Balancer

Valve covers custom fabricated by SB2(ONE OFF), complete with oilers

A Stock Car Products single stage dry pump used with the Moroso pan

Hogan fabricated all aluminum race bred intake for the block (ONE OFF)

Carb Shop prepared the 830 double pump Holley

NASCAR style CV pulleys and GM Mortorsports plug wires with AC Delco racing sparkplugs

Sweet Manufacturing reworked the power steering pump

Stewart Warner Water Pump

Jon Little Race Car Engineering custom fabricated the headers which flow to the three inch exhaust system custom fabricated by Flowmaster (ON

Exhaust system jet coated

DRIVE TRAIN AND SUSPENSION:

Richmond Six Speed Transmission with a Center Force clutch

9 Inch Rear Custom Fabricated by Moser Engineering fitted with a Strange Engineering 12 Bolt Center Section (both pieces ONE OFF) holding 3:42:1 gears with a Posi rear

Front suspension built from B-body spindles and tubular A-arms.

Hotchkis suspension parts and Koni Shocks front and rear

Baer Racing 12 and 13 inch disc brakes

ROLLING STOCK WAS KEPT GENUINE CHEVROLET/17 in. Grand Sport Corvette wheels that were modified by Vaughn Engineering with BF Goodrich Z-Rated rubber

To maintain the stock appearance with the TEST BED SLEEPER THEME Cal left the interior stock with a couple of exceptions. A GM AutoMeter Tach was mounted on the steering column and gauges.

Interior was done by Heagy Upholstery in York, PA. with GM stock material.

Cal had the wheel well and rocker panel moldings removed before Hanover Auto Craft stripped the body to factory primer and sprayed the car with the original PPG blue metallic lacquer. The Chevelle has the original sheet metal.

All the chrome was refinished by Limbrandi Plating in Harrisburg, PA.

Folks this is a car that you would find at the Woodward Cruise in Detroit ! The car was essentially constructed as a Test Bed for GM Performance Part Componets…

The car is assumed to be a big block because it measures about ¾ of an inch taller than a Stock Rat. The engine produces 577hp at 6400 RPM’s on pump gas but has recorded 680 HP…

No bling here folks just a test bed sleeper until you hear her run……

The car has never seen inclement weather and has always been garaged and covered in addition to being stored in a bubble with 24x7 air flow. In addition, I purchased the flat stopper mats many years ago to prevent flat spots on the tires while being stored. These items will convey with the car.

There are two areas of difference that you will observe when looking at the uploaded photos and the magazine covers. The first difference is the mileage. You will see the mileage listed at 2900 but the car currently has 3500 Original miles.In addition, the wheels are different. If there is an interest, I am more than happy to explain the story about the wheels.As indicated above, the current wheels are Grand Sport Corvette wheels. I will add that if you are looking for the bling factor like the big stereo, AC, power accessories etc. this is not your car. The fellow who schemed and developed this car, Cal Nicholson, is well known in the high performance world of GM. He developed the 502 block, and was involved with other projects such as the ZO6 and has a reputation of being a visionary car builder.

As a point of interest, this car has a heater delete plate with a GM serial number. My research shows that GM only made five of these plates in 1971. This car was scheduled to be built for the 1996 SEMA Show but unfortunately was not completed in time. This is a Chevelle that cannot be duplicated.

Owner: Steve Angelo bullitt71@verizon.net Cell:703-216-7365