By Nick Licata – Images by NotStock Photography
Like many of us, Mark Farmer’s introduction to muscle cars came from his dad. Taking him on trips to car shows as a youngster, it was back in the 1970s when those car events gave Mark the bug, which in his teenage years led to subscriptions to a plethora of automotive magazines—Hot Rod, Car Craft, Popular Hot Rodding—and the likes from the muscle car world. During Mark’s high school years, the school parking lot became another influence. “I remember a girl at my school had a 1967 Cougar—the one with the cool taillights—that, for some reason, stood out to me. My buddy had an old Rambler as well, so the idea of having a classic as my first car seemed like a cool idea,” Mark recalls. “By my senior year of high school my friend Todd bought a 1968 Firebird that we worked on until 1984 when I got a classic of my own: a 1966 Chevelle that I bought from the original owner for $1,000 cash.”
Mark drove the wheels off that car all through high school and beyond. “One great memory was when a bunch of friends piled in the Chevelle and we drove to see Van Halen in Cleveland. We always took my car on adventures because it had a kick-ass stereo for the time,” Mark says. “I drove the car for two winters without heat because I couldn’t afford to fix what I thought was a heater core. Turns out it was a $2 thermostat. At one point I had a girlfriend tell me that ‘I loved the car more than her.’ That may or may not have been true; I did love the car—still do.”
While on a date in the summer of 1995 the fuel tank fell out, ending the Chevelle’s daily driving duties. The car sat for years before Mark decided it was time for a restoration. What he thought was going to be a bit of bodywork and fresh paint, morphed into a full frame-off restoration, which also included an LS engine swap.
As the restoration process began Mark decided on an LS1 built by the crew at All In Racing Engines. They massaged the factory heads and utilized an Eagle Specialty Products rotating assembly and Comp camshaft. The induction system features an LS6 intake and factory fuel injection for the reliable, healthy powerplant.
The supporting cast includes a Holley mid-mount front drive system, a Griffin aluminum radiator, and dual electric SPAL fans. Sanderson headers, 3-inch stainless piping, and Flowmaster Super HP-2 mufflers, whick deliver an aggressive tone when Mark stabs the loud pedal and puts the Chevelle to work.
A TREMEC Magnum six-speed transmission, paired with a McLeod Street Pro+ clutch offers firm, concise shifting and sends power to the original 10-bolt rearend upgraded with an Eaton Truetrac posi, 3.73 gears, and Moser axles.
The Chevelle’s stock frame was boxed to provide a strong foundation for the modern Pro Touring build. The suspension setup combines Classic Performance Products (CPP) components with Viking double-adjustable coilover shocks and CPP sway bars. Up front 2-inch drop spindles and tubular control arms offer improved geometry and an aggressive stance. Out back, CPP upper and lower control arms complement the upgraded shocks and springs while providing an exceptionally balanced ride. A Carhex modified steering box provides a quicker turning ratio for a more performance-oriented driving experience.
Braking is provided by big CPP 13-inch rotors up front and 11-inch plates out back, all with two-piston calipers. CPP’s HydraStop system ensures a light pedal feel combined with excellent performance braking especially in high-speed situations.
Mark, being well-versed in the Pro Touring muscle car world, subscribes to the importance of a proper stance along with the right wheel and tire combination. To satisfy the look he was after, Rocket Racing Attack wheels in gloss gunmetal wrapped in Nitto NT555 G2 Summer ultrahigh-performance rubber gets the job done. The Chevelle has an aggressive look and maintains excellent street manners while at the same time has the ability to get the most out of that upgraded suspension.
Inside, Mark and his wife, Jen, took on the interior installation by utilizing TMI Dark Gray upholstery, which pairs with black carpeting to create a clean, understated aesthetic. The factory dash was retained and integrates modern Dakota Digital RTX gauges for enhanced functionality.
The custom TMI center console houses electric window and door lock switches, a billet shifter ring, and custom shifter boot creating additional style. Jen had a hand in the process by building and covering the custom sail panels using TMI vinyl, while Mark collaborated with Matt Weiland on the custom rear deck for the third brake light and home for the rear speakers.
A Vintage Air HVAC system ensures proper cabin temps while blowing air through the factory vents, preserving the Chevelle’s heritage. Steering is handled by an Ididit steering column topped with the Chevelle’s original steering wheel.
The entertainment system features a Sony head unit backed by twin Precision Power PPI 4200AM amplifiers delivering power to four strategically placed Sony speakers and a Polk Audio 10-inch sub for a brilliant audio experience.
The Chevelle’s exterior is finished in stunning PPG Custom Blue Metallic and Pearl paint. Subtle upgrades enhance the car’s visual appeal while respecting its original DNA. Reproduction side mirrors and glass provide visual clarity while the Auto Metal Direct hood and Resto World grille and bumpers add fresh touches to the classic lines.
Due to lack of proper planning, a couple hot rod shop faux pas, and typical hiccups along the way, the whole process took about seven years, start to finish. “Yeah, it took longer than I had initially planned, but I’ve owned the car for over 40 years, so it was well worth the wait to have it done right, and having my wife involved made the process that much better.”
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TECH CHECK
Owner: Mark & Jen Farmer, Powell, Ohio
Vehicle: 1966 Chevy Chevelle
Engine
Type: LS1
Displacement: 346 ci
Cylinder Heads: Massaged LS1 853 heads
Rotating Assembly: Eagle Specialty Products, crankshaft, rods, and pistons
Camshaft: Comp
Induction: LS6 intake
Fuel Injection: Stock
Exhaust: Sanderson 1 5/8-inch headers, 3-inch stainless exhaust, Flowmaster Super HP-2 mufflers
Machine Work: All in Racing Engines (Sharonville, OH)
Valve Covers: Holley two-piece
Accessory Drive: Holley LS Mid-Mount
Ancillaries: Holley water pump, SPAL dual electric fans, Griffin aluminum radiator, Tanks Inc. 24-gallon tank, Walbro fuel pump, RainGear Wiper Systems
Output: 450 hp
Drivetrain
Transmission: TREMEC Magnum
Clutch: McLeod Street Pro+
Shifter: Bowler Performance Transmissions
Rear Axle: Original 10-bolt housing, Eaton Truetrac posi, 3.73 gears, Moser axles
Chassis
Chassis: Boxed stock frame
Front Suspension: CPP 2-inch drop spindles, CPP tubular control arms, Viking double-adjustable coilover shocks, Viking springs, CPP sway bar
Rear Suspension: CPP upper and lower control arms, Viking double-adjustable coilover shocks, CPP sway bar
Steering: Stock modified by Carhex
Brakes: CPP 13-inch rotors with two-piston calipers front, CPP 11-inch rotors two-piston calipers rear, CPP HydraStop hydraulic brake assist, CPP proportioning valve
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Rocket Racing Attack Gloss Gunmetal finish, 18×8 front, 18×9 rear
Tires: Nitto NT555 G2Summer UHP Radial, 245/45R18 front, 275/40R18 rear
Interior
Upholstery: TMI Dark Gray
Carpet: TMI black
Installation: Mark and Jen Farmer
Insulation: Dynamat
Seats: TMI
Door Panels: TMI
Steering: Ididit column, original steering wheel
Shifter: Bowler Performance
Dash: Factory
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital RTX
Center Console: TMI custom with electric window switches, door lock switches, billet shifter ring, custom shifter boot
Modifications: Custom sail panels by Jen Farmer, custom rear deck by Matt Weiland and Mark Farmer for third brake light and rear speakers covered in TMI vinyl
Wiring: Haywire & Co. installed by Owner
HVAC: Vintage Air
Control Panel: Dakota Digital
Vents: Factory
Entertainment System: Sony head unit, two Precision Power PPI-4200AM amps, Sony 6½-inch speakers front, Infinity 6½-inch rear speakers, Polk Audio 10-inch sub
Stereo Installation: Mark Farmer, custom subwoofer box by Ngrained Woodworks
Exterior
Paint: PPG Custom Blue Metallic and Pearl
Hood: AMD
Grille: Restoration World
Front Bumper: Restoration World
Rear Bumper: Restoration World
Headlights: Holley Retrobright LED low beam, yellow high beam
Taillights: Digi-Tails
Marker Lights: Digi-Tails
Side Mirrors: Reproduction from Rock Auto
Glass: Auto City Classics
