A funny thing happened to Westlake Village, California Bow Tie lover and credit card processing executive Jeff Skelton ...
"I started out building a 1967 Camaro street machine," says Jeff, "but part way through the yet-to-be-completed project I bought this 1964 Chevelle SS. At first I just wanted to build the car as a driver. You know, nice engine, paint, and interior, but I ended up getting totally carried away and this is what I ended up with!"
Believe us, Jeff, it's a nice problem to have. Most readers would jump at the chance to have a Chevelle as neat as this one.
Built by Jason Pecikonis and his crew at Camarillo, California's Timeless Kustoms, Jeff's Viper Red 1964 Chevelle SS is powered by a Nelson Racing Engines-machined, Timeless Kustoms-assembled, twin-turbocharged, inter-cooled, 520hp/355-cid Chevrolet small-block.
Compressed at 8.5:1, the internals feature an LT1 forged-steel GM crank, a set of Eagle forged-steel connecting rods, and a set of Ross pistons. Other integral components include a Competition Cams flat-tappet cam, a set of Edelbrock Victor Jr. small-block-aluminum cylinder heads, complete with Edelbrock, and Competition Cams valvetrain hardware protected by a pair of Billet Specialties polished-aluminum valve covers.
Bolted between the lifter valley is a Holley Stealth Tunnel Ram aluminum 2x4 intake manifold bolted up to a BBK Power Plus fuel injection "hat," complete with BBK polished-aluminum fuel rails, and an anodized BBK fuel regulator.
The actual turbo system itself consists of a pair of polished twin T-4 Ray Jay turbochargers @ 7-psi, working in conjunction with Timeless Kustom's-fabricated K&N filtered air ducts, an ATI Pro Charger inter-cooler, and a set of thermal-coated Timeless Kustoms-fabricated T304 stainless-steel, ceramic-coated four-tube headers. To keep the decibels at bay, exit gasses travel through a 3-inch, dual stainless-steel thermal-coated Timeless/Kustoms/Walker Dyna-Max Race Magnum exhaust system.
More go-fast goodies include an MSD Pro Billet ignition, MSD 6AL box and MSD HBAC coil working in conjunction with an ACCEL Gen II-DFI, a polished Stewart high-flow water pump and Milodon lubricating system. Support hardware on the engine includes a polished-aluminum Vintage Air Front Runner serpentine engine pulley A/C system, a Flex-a-lite fan shroud and electric fan, a Be Cool radiator, and polished ceramic-coated stainless-steel water pipes.
Power transfer relies on a Centerforce hydraulic clutch and Keisler-Tremec T-56 six-speed overdrive transmission. The final link in the drivetrain is a Driveline Specialties 3-inch custom-fabricated driveshaft.
With an awesome powerplant sitting inside the fully smoothed and painted engine bay, Jeff called upon a 3.42:1 geared Auburn-equipped GM 10-bolt to handle the grunt, while Air Ride Technologies front and rear airbags give the Chevelle a multitude of stance and performance handling adjustments. To ensure excellent handling characteristics Jeff brought on board Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars, a set of KYB gas-charged shocks, and GM Saginaw 605 power steering box.
A set of Baer Brakes 13-inch slotted and vented rotor four-wheel disc brakes with a 7/8-inch Wilwood master cylinder were called upon for ultra-fast stopping ability. Wheels and tires on the '64 consist of a set of 18x7-inch front, and 20x10-inch rear Billet Specialties Vintec wheels rolling on a set of P225/30xZR18-inch front, and P305/25xZR20-inch Continental Sport Contact radial rubber on the rear.
Timeless Kustoms' Jason Pecikonis and his crew were responsible for smoothing out the Chevelle's 43-year-old sheetmetal. In the process, they also shaved the side trim and removed the rocker panel covers. The Timeless crew also installed a set of mini tubs, smoothed the firewall and installed new inner fender aprons. They also handled the full-length custom-built transmission tunnel that was necessary to accommodate the Chevelle's lowered stance. Finally, Jason re-painted the '64 in Spies-Hecker two-stage Viper Red with clearcoat to complement the all-new outer trim and halogen headlights.
The Chevelle's interior features a Relaxed Kustoms-installed Clarion audio system, Electri-Life power windows, anti-glare custom-tinted window glass, an Auto Meter-equipped Covan custom dash, a Timeless Kustoms shifter, a Billet Specialties steering wheel, and an 18-circuit Painless Performance wiring system. Jose at JB Custom Interiors in Camarillo, California, took responsibility for installing the ACCU-MAT protective floor covering and gorgeous black with red piping soft leather over the stock Chevelle SS seats.
Completed in early 2007, Jeff's "Chariot of Fire" represents 1 1/2-year's of tireless effort and an un-disclosed financial investment, but the results more than speak for themselves!