10 Chevelle RestoMods That Will Make Any Chevy Lover Go Weak In The Knees

Summary

• Early Chevelles from 1964-1972 were among the fastest muscle cars of their time, especially with the Big-Block 454 V-8 engine.
• The Chevrolet Chevelle remains a popular platform for resto-mods, showcasing the craftsmanship and dedication of custom shops and muscle car enthusiasts.
• These 10 Chevelle restomods demonstrate the range of customization options, from modified mass-produced parts to fully bespoke, no-money-spared builds with powerful engines and unique paint jobs.

When we talk about Muscle cars, a few nameplates stand out from the rest. Without a doubt, one of the most iconic, classic Muscle cars is the Chevrolet Chevelle. The mid-size Muscle car from Chevrolet made its debut in 1964 and was produced across three generations, until 1977. With that said, the Chevelles you want were produced between 1964 and 1972 as they still packed muscle. The 1973 to 1977 model, not so much as it was another iconic nameplate to succumb to the strict emissions regulations of the oil crisis.

Regardless, early Chevelles were among the fastest Muscle cars of their time, especially with the BIg-Block 454 V-8. Even today, the Chevelle remains a popular platform to build upon, which is why GM’s popular Muscle car is one of the most frequent choices for epic resto-mods. Plenty of custom shops and Muscle car enthusiasts showcase their craftsmanship and dedication, by reimagining the Chevelle in their own vision, and these 10 Chevelle restomods will make any Chevy lover go weak in the knees.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, like GM Heritage and MotorTrend. The custom cars have been arranged by model year.

10 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle

Built With Modified, Mass-produced Chevy Parts

While the second-generation Chevelle is the most popular of the bunch, these past few years have seen the first-generation rise in popularity. This particular example is from Chevelle’s first model year and is woman-driven. Two things about this 1964 Chevelle, featured on AutotopiaLA, are really cool. First, Jason – the man behind the build – built the car for his wife. Secondly, this ’64 Chevelle was built using mass-produced parts and upgrading them, showing you don’t need to spend big money to have something unique and nice.

Highlights

• Built with mass-produced GM parts
• Chevy Tahoe driveline with tasteful mods
• Period-correct interior, utilizing almost all original bits

At the start of the project, this Chevy was destined for the scrapyard but now scores a Watkins Glen Gray from a 2017 Corvette. The engine is a modified, 5.3-liter V-8, mated to a beefed-up four-speed automatic. Both come from the Chevy Tahoe SUV.

9 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Pro Touring By Nostalgia Hot Rods

Fully Bespoke, No-Money-Spared Pro Touring Build

If you ever wondered what a money-no-object Chevelle restomod looks like, this is your answer. Vegas-based custom shop, Nostalgia Hot Rods, put over 10,000 hours in this pro-touring, 1966 Chevelle. We actually covered this ’66 Chevelle restomod in more detail when it was featured on AutotopiaLA back in 2022. The chassis and body are all custom-made, while the bespoke interior features vast quantities of leather and seats that come from an Audi RS7.

Highlights

• Money-no-object build
• Original-looking, but widened and stretched body
• Audi RS-7 seats
• 900-hp Big-block fury

The car rides on Air Ride suspension and is powered by a 565 cubic-inch, Chevy Big-block that makes over 900 horsepower and goes to 8,500 RPM. The car started out in very rough shape but has since been turned into a one-of-a-kind, Chevelle restomod. It may not look like it, but the stock-looking body has been widened six inches.

8 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle By Doss Daley

A Homage To Smokey Yunick’s 1966 Chevelle NASCAR Racer

If most Chevelle restomods so far have been fairly subtle and true to the original street car, this 1966 Chevy Chevelle restomod is the complete opposite. Starting out with a rough donor car gives you plenty of options, which is why Doss Daley decided to go for a radical build, inspired by Smokey Yunick’s ’66 Chevelle race car. The most obvious nod to Smokey’s Chevelle is, of course, the black and gold livery with racing number 13 on the side.

Highlights

• An homage to Smokey Yunick’s 1966 NASCAR Chevelle
• Full racing interior
• Neatly integrated Corvette taillights

Inside, the car features a full roll-cage, detachable race-style steering wheel, and Corbeau bucket seats. Under the hood resides a modified LS3 V-8, massaged to produce around 550 all-motor horsepower, routed to the rear via a manual transmission. Since this isn’t an actual, 1960s NASCAR racer, the fit and finish is immaculate. If the taillights look out of place that’s because they are from a C7 Corvette.

7 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle 632 By Mile High Muscle

One of the most bonkers classic Chevelle restomods has an interesting backstory. Built by Mile High Muscle in Delta, Colorado. Actually, this 1969 Chevelle was how Mile High Muscle started after it was purchased through eBay (in a sorry state) by one of the co-founders. Not long after, companies like Speedtech and even General Motors joined the project, creating an all-motor, Big-block V-8 monster.

Highlights

• 632 cubic-inch racing engine with additional top-end mods
• Period-correct looks with original chrome bits refurbished and a Maserati exterior color
• Custom 632 badging with a weathered finish

MHM co-founder, Jared Gastineau, disclosed in front of AutotopiaLA, that the 632 cubic-inch V-8 started life as a 572 cubic-inch LS-style design, which, after extensive massaging, became a 1,004-horsepower, naturally-aspirated powerhouse. Even crazier is the fact, that this Chevy comes with a Tremec, a six-speed manual, and 4.30 rear gears. This ’69 Chevelle certainly classifies as one of the best Big-block Muscle cars, featured on AutotopiaLA.

6 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle RM22 By Restomods Crew

900+ Horsepower, Supercharged 427

Most would agree that the 1969 Chevy Chevelle has the right amount of curves and chrome. Certainly, a bit more than the more popular 1970 Chevelle. It’s always nice when a restomod is not over the top and still looks period-correct. This is the case with the 1969 Chevelle done by Restomods Crew. This started out as a very clean, 350 small-block, ’69 car. The original color was Olympic gold, but it now scores a nice, Porsche GT Silver hue.

Highlights

• 427 supercharged, racing V-8
• SST Tremec Magnum six-speed manual transmission
• Porsche GT Silver exterior
• Original sheet metal

All the original chrome has been refurbished and shines as bright as the day this Chevy rolled off the assembly. Despite subtle modernities like the LED headlights, everything looks period-correct. Under the hood, this Chevelle packs a supercharged, 427 cubic-inch V-8, courtesy of Blueprint Engines. Normally, the engine would make around 850 horsepower, but additional mods have turned the power to over 900.

5 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle By “Surfcity_Chevelle”

Specifically Built To Dominate Autocross

Normally, handling is not the first thing you associate a Muscle car with, but this ’69 Chevelle was specifically built to dominate autocross events. The car started as an almost bare shell with no engine and little to no interior. According to one of the builders, the custom red hue was based on a Kia Soul color. Suspension-wise, the restomod gets the full Speedtech parts catalog, including the company’s Track Time performance package, double-adjustable coil-overs all-around, and more.

Highlights

• A classic Muscle car that can outhandle modern sports cars
• Custom color based on a Kia Soul
• Purpose-built, custom interior with bucket seats

Under the hood, you’ll find a 480 cubic-inch version of what can easily be counted as one of the greatest American V-8 engines – the LS3 V-8. In this guise, it makes 525 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. The original engine was a 307. Transmission-wise, the ’69 gets a Tremec T56 manual, routing power to a Curry, nine-inch rear end with 3.73 gears. The interior is custom-made by the father and son duo and features leather bucket seats. No custom chassis here. This ’69 Chevelle still retains the original frame, but it takes the added power like a champ.

4 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle 525 By The Crazy Painters

Unique, Fading Paint Job

A good paint job is to a car what a stylish suit is to a man, and this Chevelle wears its “clothes” like no other. The Chevelle was built by The Crazy Painters, who live up to their name by the way. The mastermind behind the build, Mitch, shared the project started with a 1970 Chevelle, which he traded for a “Swiss-cheese” 1969 Chevy Chevelle, since “everyone does the ’70”. The most unique part about this 1969 Chevelle restomod is, obviously, the fading, deep-red paint job, which you absolutely need to see under the sunlight.

Highlights

• Extremely-intricate, one-of-a-kind paint job
• Hidden “ram-air” intake
• Custom interior, matching the exterior paint scheme
• Forced induction noises from a naturally aspirated V-8

The esthetics are rounded up with the obligatory (to some) deep-dish, alloy wheels and front and rear bumpers, neatly tucked in for a more flush look. Propulsion is entrusted to an LS-style, 525 cubic-inch, Pace Performance V-8 with a paint scheme, matching the exterior. Horsepower is rated at 590, which hit the ground through a Tremec, five-speed manual.

3 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 427 By APS Muscle Cars

Modern Power, Period-correct Looks

Interestingly enough, the Chevelle is not the first model to come to mind when we talk about 427-powered Chevys. That title goes to the Corvette and the more luxurious, SS 427. However, this particular Chevelle restomod, built by APS Muscle Cars, relies on 427 Big-block power to make 640 all-motor horsepower. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic.

Highlights

• Exquisite red interior over a murdered-out, all-black exterior
• Looks true to the 1970 original
• Manual brakes with 14-inch rotors all around

The beauty of this restomod is how clean and true to the original it is. Apart from the wheels, it looks as period-correct as an all-original, 1970 Chevelle SS. The all-red interior perfectly contrasts the black exterior retains the original Chevelle design, and features SCAT bucket seats. The most interesting feature is the “paddle shifters”, which are buttons hidden in the center console.

2 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle By Lopez Performance

Custom Interior, Inspired By Italian Exotics

1970 is still the most popular model year for the Chevelle since it introduced the 454 Big Block, and it’s no wonder we have a few of those on the list. Most restaurants are fairly clean and, in terms of aesthetics, as close to the original as possible. This clean build by Lopez Performance is no exception as there are very few details that give away that something has been done to it.

Highlights

• Custom dash, reminiscent of the Lamborghini Diablo
• Slammed on Air-ride suspension
• Supercharged LS2 V-8
• A sleek cruiser that doubles as a canyon carver

Beyond the body-colored bumpers, Vossen wheels, and air suspension, there is a supercharged LS2 V-8, which, according to the owner, makes 550 horsepower. As clean as the Chevelle looks on the outside, it’s the fully-custom interior that’s most interesting. It’s driver-focused and the dash seems to have been partially inspired by a Lamborghini Diablo of all cars – an unusual, but welcome design decision.

1 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle By Raider Nation

Period-correct, But With Modern Touches Where It Counts

The Chevy Chevelle may be one of the classic cars defined by its Big-block engine, but by 1972, even the mighty 454 Big-block made just 270 horsepower – a far cry from the once mighty (and supposedly underrated) 450 horsepower. Regardless, custom shop, Raider Nation proved that you can take even a smog-era Chevrolet Chevelle and turn it into a tire-shredding hooligan. The beauty of this build is its simple, go-fast recipe.

Highlights

• Line Lock and Two-step launch control integrated
• Smog-era Muscle car turned into a 600-hp tire-shredder
• Unique, period-correct take on the ’72 Chevelle

Keep the original, A-Body platform, but install better suspension and a modern engine, in this case, a modified LS3 V-8. Power-wise, this ’72 Chevelle is relatively conservative, putting “only” 600 horsepower. But with 3.90 rear gears and a Tremec six-speed мануал sending power to the rear, this 1972 is much more lively than your typical, smog-era Muscle car, and the black and silver accents only add to the character.