Restoration E-news Volume 1 Issue 8

The SS496, Changing The Past For a Better Future

By Kevin Oeste, V8TV

Sometimes, restorations need to be "un-done" to fix marginal work and to bring a restored car to a new level. This was the case with the 1969 Chevelle "SS 496" convertible built in the V8TV shop, a car that had been restored a couple times previously, but needed a total re-do with some upgrades to really be a standout.

The bass-boat green and white '69 Chevelle SS clone arrived in the shop sporting incorrect stripes and gauges all over the interior. The 454 under the hood ran OK, but the engine compartment was a complete mess.  The car looked straight, but we feared it had some secrets. After we blew the car apart, it was off to the media blaster to see the truth.

We weren't wrong in our suspicions, as the car had inches of body filler toweled over shoddy repairs and rusty panels. This car was treated to a complete 1-piece center floor section, a trunk floor kit, and new quarter panel skins. The new fenders and hood completed the sheetmetal, as we were able to reuse the doors.

The chassis was stripped, media blasted, epoxied, and re-shot in satin black before a pro-touring style suspension system was installed along with oversized Baer brakes.  

The "496" part came in the form of a Fast Times Motorworks build of the 454 that came in the car, only now swinging a 4.25" stroke crank and .060" over pistons. The Holley aluminum heads were opened up and port matched to the Weiand intake manifold, and the combo was good for over 550 horsepower and 570 ft. lbs. of torque on pump gas. Oh yeah, we hid a 150 hp NOS nitrous oxide kit under a reproduction dual snorkel air cleaner housing. The whole goal for the engine was to look somewhat stock, so we painted the aluminum heads orange, ran v-belts, and stock SS 396 style valve covers.

Our buddy Ben Hermance designed the look of the car to be subtle and timeless. The exterior of the car was shot in its original Butternut Yellow, and a complete OPGI leather interior kit was installed. The V8TV crew installed a hidden DVD stereo system.

Everything kept an original look, but you could tell something was going on with this car. The lowered stance and 17" V40 wheels from Vintage Wheel Works looked at home on the car and retained a period correct subtle appearance.

The car made it's debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, and everyone loved the color combo and "just right" stance thanks to the OPGI lowering springs. On the road, it makes tons of torque at any rpm, and the nitrous system is always waiting to push the car to mid 11 second quarter mile runs. The stainless MagnaFlow exhaust rumbles cleanly, and the big brakes and hydroboost system haul it down effortlessly.  

The whole story of the SS496 was documented in video, including tons of tech and how-to's. You can watch 'em all at for free at http://www.v8tvshow.com/ss496 today!

Kevin Oeste
V8TV Productions, Inc.
6312 South Brook Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298
314.783.8325
http://www.v8tvshow.com

By owner: Felipe Perea Jr 

I purchased my 4-4-2 in February of 1969 for $1,200.00. It was a TV Special car used by Cormier Chevrolet to entice customers. With only 1,100 miles on the odometer, the car had a resale value of approximately $2,100.00 at that time. As my wife and I were driving home, we conversed as to which fender or wheel was going to fall off first, as we could not believe the deal we just made.

The car was a family daily driver and survived my wife, two daughters and myself until 1989 after which I stored the car until restoration began in 2003.

During those 14 years, I purchased all original equipment replacement parts from various suppliers from the East Coast to the West Coast. I intended to restore my 4-4-2 to its original showroom condition with all new original manufactured parts if possible. My primary supplier on the West Coast was Original Parts Group in Huntington Beach, California. OPG had many quality hard to find hardware and software items that were to original specifications. I purchased items from floorboard soundproofing to door knobs and locks as well as trim items, weather stripping, emblems, decals, seat belts and buckles, gas and brake pedals, upholstery, carpet, wire harnesses, under hood items, window cranks, and on and on. All of these parts were to factory original specs and high quality.

I literally took the car completely apart and had the body and many body components restored professionally. The engine long block was also professionally rebuilt. I did all of the final assembly and detail work myself over a period of 14 months. I found that OPG had numerous body and drive train items I needed as my assembly progressed. I used original Oldsmobile Manuals as my guides. With many trials and tribulations, I finally completed my assembly of all body and components, drive train, upholstery and final detailing with great satisfaction. Aside from some engine compartment chromed items, my 4-4-2 is totally factory original. I was very proud when Original Parts Group allowed me to represent their products by picturing my 4-4-2 in their 2008 Factory Direct 1964-1972 F-85, Cutlass & 4-4-2 Catalog. A bonus would be to allow me to display my car in their new showroom in Seal Beach.