PSI Blog » Middlemas’ Chevelle build

Leaving on a truck

Kyle Tomita — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:34:04 +0000

The 1967 Chevelle left on a truck to the east coast today.

After two and half years working on this complete frame off restoration and modification, it is a sad and happy moment seeing it leave. It is sad seeing a car leave that you have spent many hours working on over the past few years. But also a happy moment, since the project is finally done and the client can enjoy the car you work so hard on.

Also leaving on the same truck is a Toyota Supra. This Supra is also heading to a client on the east coast.

The Supra received an AEM EMS and a tune before heading to its owner.

Chevelle SS Restomod Phase III: Stop and Go

Kyle Tomita — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:38:43 +0000

After waiting so long, Middlemas wanted a little something extra under the hood. So, PSI replaced with stock engine with a slightly built LS1. This engine definitely increases the performance of this Chevelle. The LS1 is an aluminum engine normally found in a C5 Corvette. This LS1 is a 5.7L small block V8 from Turnkey with 450 hp and 440 ft-lbs torque. The engine features Performance camshaft, double roller timing chain with billet gears, A.R.P. rod bolts, chromoly Manley push rods, heavy duty valve springs, and forged Mahle pistons.

The LS1 is mated to a Tremec TKO 500 5-speed transmission. This modern transmission matches nicely with the LS1 and improves drivability. The rear end is a Moser built 12 bolt with 33 spline alloy axles. There is a truetrac LSD with 3.46 gears.

To allow the engine to breathe properly, PSI fabricated a custom intake and exhaust.

The stock brakes needed to be upgraded, so a Wilwood setup was added to the Chevelle. Four piston ultralight calipers were used to stop 13″ rotors in the front and 12″ rotors in the rear. The fronts are aluminum hub hub floating rotors. The rear setup also has the e-brake built in. A billet master cylinder, also from Wilwood, feeds the calipers through custom stainless tube brake lines with stainless braided flex at the ends.

The LS1 and brakes will be spinning and stopping Billet Specialties Rasp II wheels. These wheels are wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force Sport tires, with 225/45 ZR17 in the front and 275/40 ZR17 in the rear.

Chevelle SS Restomod Phase II: the body

Kyle Tomita — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:39:06 +0000

The body of the Chevelle needed some attention after forty-two years. Similar to the frame, the body was media blasted, so a thorough examination could be conducted. Metal and bodywork is the specialty of Alex Laventure, metal fabricator at PSI, so all of the metalwork was done in-house by Laventure. He patched holes, replaced sections, and reformed metal to get the body back to the way it should be. The conversion to a 5-speed also required some modifications to the body. The firewall was cut to accommodate the new pedals. The tranny tunnel or hump was modified to fit the 5-Speed transmission.

Some surface rust in the interior.

A rear section that had to be replaced.

Some photos of areas that needed some attention.

The modified tranny tunnel for the 5-speed transmission.

This is an example of a body panel that Laventure needed to cut out and replace.

The bottom of the trunk that Laventure replaced.

Once all metalwork was completed, the body and exterior pieces were painted.

Chevelle SS Restomod Phase I: Disassembly and Suspension

Kyle Tomita — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:57:26 +0000

With the planning phase complete, it was time to start disassembling the car. The car was taken completely apart. To do a thorough examination of the frame, it was media blasted down to bare metal. Factory welds and weld splatter were ground down to clean up the frame. After the frame was properly cleaned and prepped, a coat of chassis paint was laid down.

PSI tackled the suspension with the goal of making the ride and handling like a modern car. This required all the suspension components to be upgraded. Global West tubular upper and lower arms were installed up front. In the rear, Global West tubular adjustable links and tubular lowers were used. To add rigidity, Global West front and rear sway bars were added. All polyurethane bushings were used. To give the car a proper stance, Global West springs were used. 1/2″ lowering springs in front and 1″ lowering springs in the rear. KYB gas-a-just shocks were used front and rear. Moog steering components were used. The steering box is a 92 Camaro IROC quick ratio box.

With the chassis and suspension taken care of, work moved on to the body.

A Dream: Phase 0

Kyle Tomita — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:59:33 +0000

Strong passions often develop from childhood. Bob Middlemas, a retail executive and client of PSI, developed a passion for cars at a young age. Growing up in the 1960s, Middlemas was exposed to the cars of that era. One particular car that captured Middlemas’ attention was a 1967 Chevelle SS. He dreamed of one day owning a 67 Chevelle SS and now years later, he is close to achieving this goal.

With his goal in mind, Middlemas flew to Oregon to meet with Jason Oefelein and Erick Sackhoff, co-owners of PSI. This was the beginning of a long project to fulfill a dream. Finding a 67 Chevelle SS in a condition that was acceptable to Middlemas was a daunting task. Middlemas, Oefelein, and Sackhoff decided that the more appropriate route would be a frame-up restoration. As they continued to talk, Middlemas informed them that he wanted his 67 Chevelle SS to have handling and amenities of a modern car. Oefelein and Sackhoff both agreed with Middlemas the 67 Chevelle SS project became a restomod.

To start any restomod, a car is needed. Like when building a company, a solid foundation is important. PSI went out and purchased a 1967 Chevelle Malibu that was in a relatively decent condition. Being a fourty-two year, rust and dents were obvious obstacles to overcome in this restoration.

This 67 Chevelle SS restomod project would be handled mostly in-house to ensure the level of quality they seek to portray. This large project was divided into phases that will continue over the next few blog posts. Check back the beginning of the 67 Chevelle SS restomod project.

rendered by Todd Johnston