Member: Leo Kuiperij

Car: 1969 Chevelle

It was in the spring of 1975 that I saw an ad in the paper for a 1969 Chevelle for sale. Not only was the seller the first owner of this car, he also worked at the GM assembly plant in Oshawa where the car was built. We made a deal and I became the owner of my first car and my love affair for the Chevelle began.

I soon realized that his claim was true. He had his eye on this car all the way down the line, getting all the options he wanted with many heavy duty components. The engine was a 350 with a three speed manual transmission. This car was a joy to drive, very fast and easy to handle. While I had this car, I had the engine completely overhauled. I also had major bodywork done with a complete re-paint. At this time there were literally thousand of these cars on the road, many beginning to show wear and rust. Mine stood out (in my biased opinion) because of the new paint and overall good condition.

The following summer my older brother married and took my car (see photo) on his honeymoon. I then used his work truck so I could keep working (I worked for him in construction). The following day, he and his bride were in a horrible crash that sent them both to the hospital and my car to the junkyard. Obviously, the primary concern was for the people involved, they eventually recovered. The dump truck driver had been drinking and fled the scene on foot. My car was a total wreck and the dump truck that hit them was fine, except for a broken axle.

Now I was in the market for another car. I searched the classifieds for another 1969 Chevelle. The best I could do was a ‘69 Chevelle, 307 with a power glide transmission. I did not have much time to be without a car and I was in the process of buying my first house, so funds were limited. I had to pay essentially what the insurance company gave me for the wrecked car. This next Chevelle was a huge disappointment for me and within a year it caught fire while a friend was borrowing it. The car began to burn in the gas tank area while he was on the highway. By chance, he drove past the house of the local fire chief who immediately dispatched a fire truck. By the time my friend stopped and got a few contents out, the car was in full flame and black smoke was visible for miles. This was a total loss. It happened in the spring of 1977 and I was not to have another Chevelle for 25 years.

I enjoy this car very much. It has not been entered in any contest. That is not my style. It is what it is, a survivor with the original engine, 325 horses of muscle power. When I drive it, it makes me feel young again. This is what we drove in the day. Before, my car always sat outside overnight, summer and winter. Now it has it’s own indoor spot, even some heat for the coldest winter nights. Hopefully it will continue to survive for many more years.

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