BETTER THAN A NEW MINIVAN
The year was 1983. Dodge was releasing the brand-new, 1984 Dodge Caravan, but for Melissa & John Faragotti, the ideal family car for their kids, aged 7, 5, & 3, was this 1967 Chevelle. Melissa saw it on the lot at Powers in New Brighton listed for $3,000. It had some rust but was in overall good enough shape to take the kids to car cruises.
Over time, John began to dig into the triple black GM A-body, starting with body work. He stripped the stainless trim and took the body down to bare metal. There he found the trunk floor was in need of replacement. After bodywork, the mechanicals were given attention.
The two-speed Power Glide was ditched for a date-code correct M21 four-speed. The engine was not original. It was a 1969 327 ci, 275 hp. The 3.42 gear posi rear rounds out the drive train. Disc brakes were added and new wheels were give as a Christmas gift to John. “I opened up the box and there was one wheel. I said, Miss, you can’t just buy one wheel at a time!” he exclaimed. Missy quickly followed with, “I told him, the rest are in the garage at my mother’s”
The car is highly coveted among their children, so much so that their oldest at age 15, when hearing them discussing estate planning declare his wishes, “GIVE THEM THE MONEY, I WANT THE CHEVELLE!”
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