Bought brand new for around $4,250 by Karmy Schone of Chapin Falls, Illinois, this SS Chevelle has never left the farm. Originally equipped with a 350ci engine, all the SS package features (automatic trans, power steering, power brakes, A/C, and an AM radio that really never worked), and painted cream yellow by the factory, this car was typical of thousands of other hot-selling Chevelles of that era. It served daily driver duty for about 8 years at which time it needed some freshening up. New paint and some cosmetics got it back on the road and around the local car shows. By 1985 the road salt and weather around Chapin Falls had taken its toll but Karmy wanted to keep the car.
The full frame-off restoration involved new quarter panels, new fenders and a 396 engine. Pushing a TH-400 and 4.11:1 gears in a Fab-9 rearend, the newly refurbished SS was a great performer on the road and at numerous car shows. Color was once again cream yellow. By around 1999, however, Schone was ready for prime time on his one-owner ride. With the able assistance of bodyman Gary Green of Green's Customizing in Jacksonville, Illinois, the Chevelle received the full treatment.
Viper Yellow paint, fiberglass panels in the engine compartment, custom console, ghost flames of white pearl, and hundreds of other custom and mechanical changes, the car fulfilled Karmy's vision of a truly fine example of a classic Chevelle, updated to a "one-of-a-kind" status. Since its completion the car has taken awards for Best of Show, Outstanding Paint and Body, Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, Best Custom, and several Peoples Choice awards. The shows where these awards were conferred included the Indy World of Wheels, Super Chevy Indy, and the Hot Rod Nats at Canfield. We're talking major competition for tin at these shows, but Karmy's car is a winner.
Owner Karmy Schone, Chapin, IL
Vehicle 72 Chevelle SS
Engine 454ci Chevrolet, built by Racing Head Service, Mod. 268 CompCam, iron rectangular port heads, Edelbrock RPMmanifold and 750 cfm carb, MSD ignition, Hedman headers with Flowmaster 40 series mufflers, BE Cool aluminum radiator, Spal electric fans, March Performance pulleys, Vintage Air, Painless Wiring
Transmission TPI 700-R4 trans, Hurst Vmatic shifter
Rearend 12-bolt Positraction, 3.70:1 Richmond gears
Exterior Shaved door handles and emblems, third brake light, Viper Yellow/PPG, Ghost flames, white and gold pearl painted by Gary Green, Green's Customizing, Jacksonville, IL
Interior 94 Camaro seats, light brown leather interior, custom fiberglass dash and console, Billet Specialties door handles and window cranks
Stereo Eclipse with Polk speakers and amp
Suspension (F) Air Ride Technologies air bags, KYB shocks, Polygraphite bushings, sway bar, Baer 13-inch brakes, drilled/slotted rotors & (R) Air Ride Technologies air bags, KYB shocks, sway bar, Baer 12-inch brakes, drilled/slotted rotors
Wheels (F) Billet Specialties 8x17 & (R) Billet Specialties 9 1/2x17
Tires (F) BFGoodrich T/A Radial, 235/45/17 & (R) BFGoodrich T/A Radial,235/50/17