Great things in this world are often both incredibly beautiful and notoriously dangerous. The Rocky Mountains and muscle cars are prime examples. Tight switchbacks cut through gorgeous granite peaks, predators roam through towering pine trees, snow-capped mountains glisten in the sun, and black ice lurks around the next corner at night. When you grow up in the Rockies, you learn how to handle dangerous situations. This dark blue 1968 Chevelle was built to handle the danger with ice in its veins.
This Chevelle was reborn a mere two years ago in the Idaho Muscle Cars shop out of Boise, Idaho, nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountain wilderness. And the team built one hell of a machine that could handle any challenge it might face in the high-altitude proving grounds. So whether you’re cruising the lonely highways with only the moon as a companion or tearing up the winding roads to the most spectacular views, you can feel confident that this machine was not only built to do it all but to do it well. Here’s how.
There’s no replacement for displacement, especially when you’re calling on stump-pulling torque to help you climb to higher elevations. That is why the team chose the notorious GM 427 crate engine with 550 ponies as the heart of this machine. A Holley Sniper 2 EFI system sits atop the motor, mixing crisp, natural mountain air with ungodly man-made fuel to fire this thing up. The growling through 3” X pipe exhaust systems lets all others know that the apex predator has arrived. A Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt posi stuffed with 3:73 gears allow you to downshift to climb steep mountain hills or rip across open fields without hesitation. Driving this proves to be one wild experience.
There’s no way to describe the feeling as you rip up the mountain and gaze out at the valley view below you. Very far below you. In fact, there’s only a thin metal railing or sometimes nothing at all stopping you from rocketing off the side of the cliff and falling hundreds of feet below. To stay cool under that kind of pressure, you need all the confidence in the world in your suspension and brakes. Which is why the team relies on a QA1 kit with adjustable coilovers and tubular control arms all around. And while you ascend to the peak, you have to be ready for a large, wild animal to cross the road. Have you seen a vehicle collide with an elk? It’s not good. Luckily, this Chevy rocks 14” Wilwood four-wheel power disc brakes to keep all passengers and wildlife safe.
This cockpit is certainly in tune with its origins while featuring clean modern amenities. The TMI seats provide all the support for long, comfortable drives and ensure that you stay strapped in tight for winding mountain roads. Your power window controls sit beneath your fingertips as you decide between fresh air on a cool day or A/C on a hot, sunny day. The custom gauges look timeless nestled into the dash, with the perfect amount of chrome throughout the cabin to give it a refined feel. A badass Budnik steering wheel is the icing on this blue cake that ties it all together inside, ensuring your interior views complement the gorgeous scenery just beyond your windshield.
There’s a certain style that makes you stop and say, “damn…” In case you’re wondering, this is that style. And I mean, look at the stance on this machine; it’s perfect. She’s dialed in, begging to be driven on those staggered 18” and 19” gray Budnik wheels! Nitto NT555 grip the road as you descend from the peak and return to civilization. Like the ancient glacier streams coursing down the mountain, this deep blue PPG base coat and twin SS stripes buried beneath five layers of clear pay homage to the mountains you’ve just experienced. It’s a good day to get lost in the wild; it’s an even better day when you find yourself lost behind the wheel of this machine. Good luck and happy bidding.
