I bought this one-owner 58k original mile 1967 Granada Gold Chevelle 300 survivor in March 2007. I didn't even know about the 300 model until I found this car. The 300 is the base model Chevelle. Here's what it looked like when I brough it home.

It and the 300 Deluxe both had a post and a different roofline at the rear window than the more upscale Malibu and SS Chevelles.

It has no options except a dealer installed AM radio. It has the base 230 c.i. straight six and 3 speed Saginaw manual transmission on the column. No power brakes, steering...

This car is untouched. The only things that have been replaced are the tires (about 25 years ago) and the muffler. There is only one small rust spot of any consequence on the driver's side quarter panel. It has its share of parking lot dings and dents but still wears the original paint.

I drove it 180 miles home the day after I bought it without any problems. I have all the paperwork including the original bill of sale, the Protect-O-Plate, the body broadcast sheet used to assemble it, the owners manual and option catalog. I have been breaking down all the documentation. All the numbers match and even things like the alternator have date codes matching the assembly date.

Right now I drive it on the weekends and dream about what to do with it. So far I have ordered a set of 15x7 steel wheels to mount bigger tires to give it a more musclecar stance without taking away from the grocery getter/sleeper look. Plus the non-radial tires are cracked and barely serviceable.

Next up is a suspension rebuild and small block Chevy drivetrain to back up the sleeper theme. I'll keep all the original stuff just in case I ever decide to go back. The car is super-original and super-clean, but the base model post cars aren't that popular yet.

I'll try to build a page here as I go along...

UPDATE 6/29/07 NEW WHEELS AND TIRES!!

I finally got them all painted, mounted and installed. The wheels are 15x7 Wheel Vintiques Series 62 Steelies. I had them painted the same Granada Gold (but in PPG basecoat clearcoat) at a local musclecar restoration shop. The tires are 235/60/15 Redline Radials from Diamondback Classics. These tires cost me a small fortune but they were the only way to go with with the look of this car. I love it. It gives the car a whole new look. Check out the before and after shots:

It drives a ton better with the new tires as well. I couldn't be happier with the results.

Engine Degreasing

The other thing I did today was degrease the engine. The pictures don't do it justice but it is a ton better under the hood. I still have some work to do on the steering box and arms.

The next thing I plan to do is try to restore the paint with some serious buffing and polishing and then try to clean up the (minimal) chrome and trim.

Update July 14, 2007--TWINS!!

I met Lenny at the local Saturday show and shine. Just today he picked up his 67 Chevelle 300 Deluxe from its recent makeover. It has been in his family since new and now sports some new metal and paint. It is great fun to have them parked next to each other and compare and contrast.

Update August 19, 2007--NEW SHINE!!

No major changes but I have spent some time and money detailing the Chevelle. I have determined that the paint may not be original, but it may as well be for how old it is. It is really hard to tell, but there is some evidence of overspray on the window moldings. Despite the dings and dents, I wanted to try to pretty her up as much as possible because a repaint is just not in the cards.

I bought a Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Orbital Polisher and a bunch of fancy foam pads and microfiber products. First I used a clay bar to clean off the paint. The previous owner must have painted his garage at some point (with the car still in it) because there were little white paint specks all over it. I even hit a few really offensive spots with wet sanding paper. Then I polished the whole car with Sonus SFX-1 Paint Restore and then SFX-2 Swirl remover polishes and finished it off with Klasse All In One synthetic sealant. You could spend your whole life trying to figure out which wax is "best" but this is what I came up with after a bunch of internet research. I'm not one to spend my whole life detailing. I like driving much better.

The pictures don't tell the whole story, but the car in total looks a ton better. There are still plenty of scratches, but most of the swirl marks are gone and it just looks SHINY .

I also spent alot of time digging out wax build up from every nook and cranny from the previous owner. I cleanup up the (very pristine) interior with some Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer and replaced a leaky valve cover gasket. I still need to get under the hood and in the trunk for some serious cleaning and shining.

All this in time to find out I will deploy overseas for six months on September 10th. So now I have bought a cover to keep the dust off and filled up the tank with fuel stabilizer. The rest of the project will have to wait until March. I'll have plenty of time to dream up what's next in the mean time....

Update August 25, 2007--THREE 67'S IN A ROW!!

Still trying to get out and drive while getting ready to deploy. And I bought a new digital camera so I figured I would give that a test drive too.

Today we had 3 67's abreast at the local Saturday drive in: Lenny's 67 300 Deluxe, my 300, and a 67 SS. And I finally got that trim piece mounted on the grille.

Seeing Lenny's beautifully painted 250 Straight Six and hearing people comment on mine are making me think hard about dropping in a small block. I had been dreaming up a 327 with Vortec heads and my own paint scheme, but a hot rodded and nicely painted straight six could be different and cool too...
I'm definitely not getting rid of the three on the tree so whatever it is can't be too wild.

I got some nice comments on the shiny (old) paint today. I am very happy with the car right now. Just wish I had more time for more detailing in the trunk and under the hood. These areas still need deep cleaning.

Update 2/3/08 Engine Planning

Still deployed but dreaming, dreaming of what to do when I get back. Here is the known:
I have a few leads on some decent 250s. I will try to pick one up cheap and then dress it up hopefully without a major rebuild. Then I will get these:

And put together something like this:

Thanks to Mike at
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2102753

For that last picture and inspiration.

I picked up the bible of inline Chevy 6 building:

I have done lots of reading online and would eventually like to build a turbo 250 for the car. There are parts and people out there to make this easier than it may seem, but first things first. I need to improve my wrenching skills and focus on getting the rest of the drivetrain ready for something like that. I am not planning on taking this thing to the strip, but a turbo inline six would really blow people's minds and liven up the car quite a bit.

Update 2/9/08

One step closer! A kind fellow is holding this (supposedly) 50k mile 1974 250 six with three speed out of a Chevy Truck for me until I get back.

Update 3/22/08: New Engine!

Picked up the 250 today, can't wait to start pulling it apart. Looks good so far...

Update 4/18/08: New Pics

Just was out cruising and took some killer new pics at a golf course nearby: