Bob was looking for a 1972 Chevelle convertible back in 2013. He was becoming very frustrated because everything he saw online was in the $60K price range. He finally came upon a beautiful red, 1970 Chevelle that looked fully, frame off restored for $24,999.
He immediately called to check it out. Doug, from Wooten’s Red Line Classics, answered. He told me that the car was not for sale and that the ad was a tickler for his resto shop. He said the price was for a rolling car, with whatever parts were already on it, cleaned up and restored as much as possible. Replacement parts would be extra if he wanted them.
Bob asked him did that mean I could do whatever I wanted? He said “Yep!!” He went to his shop in Woodstock and there sat a frame and a tub up on blocks. He gave him a deposit on the spot. Three years later, the Bobmobile was on the road! Doug and Jose were phenomenal to work with. The result speaks for itself!!
This car was born as a 1971 Malibu. Based on some of the things Bob found as he worked on the car, was that this car was raced at one point. 4.10 rear, 800lbd posi clutch springs, a saggy front end with terrible camber…Yep…Big block at one point in its life.
Bob’s order to Doug was for a rolling car. He supplied the GM Performance ZZ383, Bowtie Overdrives 700R4, stainless brake and fuel lines, Hedman 3/4″ ceramic coated headers, and Flowmaster Exhaust while the tub was off the car to ease installation. A year after, He had his 1972 Chevelle roller.
He then set to work making the car what you see today. Ground Up supplied many of the parts, including the PUI Interior, carpeting, engine compartment bracketing, and other “correct” piece parts. For quite some time, He was a “regular” at Ground Up in Naugatuck.
“They NEVER failed me!!”
Bob L
The rest of the components: Holley 770 Street Avenger, Edelbrock RPM Performer Air-Gap manifold, American Autowire harness, Autometer gauges, and other parts came from Jegs, Summit, other resto houses around the country in the rare instance Ground Up did not have it, and of course, eBay.
“While Doug and Jose gave me a beautiful, clean, and straight body, the “light” mechanical and electrical work was all me.”
Bob L
“This car is special because as a boy in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the older kids in the neighborhood all had muscle cars. And when the street games were interrupted when someone called “CAR!!!!!!” we stood aside as these cars rumbled by.”
Bob L
Bob’s favorite one was a white 1969 Chevelle convertible, others liked the gold ’68 Vette, some liked the black ’69 Firebird. But the Chevelle was Bob’s. It’s never changed.
His favorite thing about it is getting in and turning the key and everything that comes after it!!! The future for this car is DRIVE!!! DRIVE!!! DRIVE!!!! Crank the tunes and enjoy!!!
