By Nick Licata – Images by Patrick Lauder
There are car guys and there are car guys—enthusiasts who live and breathe automotive culture. Rick Van Unen is the latter. His introduction to the hobby came about years ago when he was a teenager hustling speed parts working the counter at the legendary Bell Auto Parts in Bell, California. Those formative years ignited a lifelong passion in the automotive industry on multiple levels, working and playing in various facets of the industry, which also included the off-road sector.
Those early years at Bell stuck with him and lit a hot rod fire that remained fierce as he now maintains a strong stable of muscle cars in his collection—all of which spend very little time sitting as he can often be found cruising one of them across America hitting various car shows in the spring and summer months. Regular readers of All Chevy Performance may recall seeing a few of his rides, including a 1964 Chevelle wagon, 1973 Camaro, and 1957 Bel Air featured in this magazine over the past few years.
The latest addition to Rick’s collection is a 1970 Chevelle he found in Chino, California, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. “The body was pretty rough and not much to look at, to say the least,” Rick confirms. “It was faded yellow with black stripes and had a basic 350/350 combo. The car had potential, so I sent it to Dutchboys Hotrods in Vicksburg, Michigan, with the guidelines to transform the car into a very clean-looking SS with a powerful modern driveline and an upgraded suspension system.”
Now, Dutchboys has built a number of cars for Rick, and with that longstanding relationship comes a high level of trust, not only in their ability to build an amazing car, but also in choosing just the right color they feel works best for a particular build. “I gave Dutchboys co-owner Joe Van Nus, full authority to select a color he felt would bring out the best of the Chevelle and instructed him to not tell or show me what color was used until the car was finished,” Rick says. “As you can tell, he did great! It’s a BASF Misty Turquois that looks absolutely perfect.”
At the core of this Chevelle is a 427ci LS7 built by Scott Shafiroff Racing. The engine boasts a compression ratio of 10.95:1 and a combination of parts that push its output to an impressive 718 hp with 630 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant uses a Callies crankshaft, CompStar forged steel rods, and Mahle pistons, along with an aggressive Comp camshaft. The fuel injection system is managed by a Holley Terminator X, ensuring that the LS7 runs efficiently and delivers power smoothly across the rpm range.
Additional custom touches include LS Classic big-block valve covers and a 454 Dual Snorkel air cleaner kit, giving the engine a look reminiscent of a classic big-block setup. A custom 3-inch exhaust system crafted by Dutchboys Hotrods topped with Holley Blackheart mufflers ensure that the Chevelle not only looks and runs like a high-performance machine but sounds like one, too.
To handle the engine’s immense power, the Chevelle is equipped with a TREMEC T56 transmission paired with an ACT twin-disc clutch, giving Rick smooth shifts and solid performance. A Bowler Performance Nightstick shifter offers precise gear changes, while a driveshaft from Inland Empire Driveline reliably transfers power to a 12-bolt axle with 3.90 gears, Eaton Truetrac posi, and Moser 31-spline axles. The combination delivers dependable traction, making this Chevelle as capable on the dragstrip as it is on the open road.
With power comes the need for control, and Dutchboys didn’t skimp on the suspension setup. The front suspension includes a Detroit Speed 3 kit featuring Detroit Speed spindles, control arms, and JRi single-adjustable coilover shocks with 550-pound springs. A 1 3/8-inch sway bar further enhances stability, ensuring the Chevelle stays planted through corners. Out back, the Detroit Speed QUADRALink system with JRi coilovers and a 1 1/8-inch sway bar keeps the rear balanced and performance ready.
For stopping power, the Chevelle is outfitted with GM Z06 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers up front, with 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear—all controlled by a Baer Remaster master cylinder, providing confident, smooth braking.
The Chevelle rides on Forgeline FL500 wheels, with 18x9s up front and 19x10s in the rear, wrapped in Michelin PS4 tires (265/23R18 front and 285/35R19 rear). This combination provides the ideal blend of performance and aesthetics, ensuring the car looks just as good standing still as it does rolling down the highway.
Inside, Rick wanted a blend of comfort, style, and functionality. Dutchboys Hotrods and Brian Bohde from Bohde’s Custom Auto Interiors collaborated to create an interior that pairs black leather upholstery with OE hook-and-loop carpeting and custom door panels. Corbeau GTS II seats offer comfort and support, while Morris Classics seatbelts provide safety. The Chevelle retains its classic factory dash but adds modern Dakota Digital RTX instrumentation, American Autowire wiring, and a RetroSound head unit paired with Focal speakers, for a brilliant audio experience. A Vintage Air HVAC system ensures that cruising is comfortable no matter the weather.
The Chevelle’s exterior retains its classic look but has been refined by Dutchboys to achieve a level of smoothness and shine that makes it a head-turner. The BASF Misty Turquois paint brings out the car’s bold lines, giving it a subtle yet sophisticated appeal. Factory-style bumpers, Holley headlights, Digi-Tails taillights, and brightwork provided by the experts at Advanced Plating complete the exterior’s blend of classic and custom elements.
Rick Van Unen’s 1970 Chevelle isn’t just a car—it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion. Every component, from the powerful LS7 to the refined bodywork and paint, confirms the Dutchboys Hotrods crew builds extraordinary muscle cars of the highest quality and reliability. For Rick, the joy is in the journey, both literally and figuratively. He isn’t just driving a car, he’s continuing a lifelong adventure.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
TECH CHECK
Owner: Rick & Val Van Unen, Ripon, California
Vehicle: 1970 Chevelle SS
Engine
Type: GM LS7
Displacement: 427 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.95.1
Bore: 4.125
Stroke: 4.0
Cylinder Heads: AFR aluminum
Rotating Assembly: Callies crankshaft, CompStar forged steel rods, Mahle Pistons
Camshaft: Comp 0.637/0.637 lift, 245/259 duration at 0.050, 112 LSA
Induction: TrickFlow manifold
Fuel Injection: Holley Terminator X
Machinework and Assembly: Scott Shafiroff Racing (Bohemia, NY)
Engine Dress Up: LS Classic big-block valve covers, 454 Dual Snorkel air cleaner kit
Accessory Drive: Holley LS Mid-mount
Exhaust: Holley 1 7/8-inch headers, Dutchboys custom 3-inch exhaust, Holley Blackheart mufflers
Ancillaries: LS Classics wires, Holley alternator, SPAL dual 13-inch fans, Rick’s Tanks fuel tank
Output: 718 hp at 6,500 rpm, 630 lb-ft at 5,300 rpm
Drivetrain
Transmission: TREMEC T56
Clutch: ACT twin disc
Shifter: Bowler Performance Nightstick
Driveshaft: Inland Empire Driveline
Rear Axle: GM 12-bolt, 3.90 gears, Eaton Truetrac posi, Moser 31-spline axles
Chassis
Front Suspension: Detroit Speed 3 kit, Detroit Speed spindles, control arms, 550-pound springs, JRi single-adjustable coilover shocks, 1 3/8-inch sway bar
Steering: Turn One gearbox
Rear Suspension: Detroit Speed QUADRALink, Detroit Speed 175-pound springs, JRi single-adjustable coilover shocks, 1 1/8-inch sway bar
Brakes: GM Z06 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers front, 13-inch rotors, four-piston calipers rear, Detroit Speed master cylinder, Baer Remaster master cylinder
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Forgeline FL500 18×9 front, 19×10 rear
Tires: Micheline PS4 265/35R18 front, 285/35R19 rear
Interior
Upholstery: Black leather
Doors: Custom with black leather
Carpet: OE hook and loop
Console: Custom by Dutcboys Hotrods
Installation: Brian Bohde at Bohde’s Custom Auto Interior (Ligonier, IN)
Seats: Corbeau GTS II
Seatbelts: Morris Classics
Steering: Ididit column, 14-inch GM factory style
Shifter: Bowler
Dash: GM factory style
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital RTX
Wiring: American Autowire by Dutchboys
HVAC: Vintage Air
Control Panel: Vintage Air
Sound System: RetroSound head unit, Focal speakers
Installation: Dutchboys
Exterior
Bodywork: Dutchboys
Paintwork: Dutchboys
Paint: BASF Misty Turquois
Grille: Factory style
Headlights: Holley
Taillights: Digi-Tails
Plating: Advanced Plating
