We always get excited when we talk to our Facebook friends about their project cars and the stories that explain the passion behind the build. In the case of Casey Burns of Lyman Wyoming, his completely restored 1969 Chevelle made us stop and take notice.  This wasn’t a tale of some rich guy buying a turn-key vehicle that someone else had spent time and money on. We found after talking with Casey, that he is a craftsman with a vision, patience and high standards.

Casey found his 69 Chevelle in disrepair in an old woman’s garage after seeing an ad on Craigslist. “I bought the car in a rusted heap in Casper Wyoming in 2000,” Casey said. “I answered an ad in the paper from a mother who said her son lost interest in the project and started tuning imports, I ended up paying her $1,500. It was in terrible shape with a really bad paint job hiding collision damage under some major bondo.”

After getting the car to his personal garage at his home, he knew that this was going to be a complete tear down and that years of work lay ahead. “While I have done other ’69 chevelles in the past, this one was just over the top with a high end budget.” Casey added, “I do customer cars as well and always have at least 3 other personal projects going on at all times, so I took my time on this one, 2.5 years to be exact.” Before spending a year on the rotisserie, the Chevelle needed major body work, leaving Casey with the tedious task of hand sanding the Chevelle to get everything clean and balanced. “I replaced the passenger side rear quarter panel and the lower wheel well on drivers side,” said Casey. After Performing hours upon hours of body work, I asked Casey what the hardest part was for him. “Block sanding the car six times was the hardest part. When I finally got the primer on, that was a milestone!”

I asked if Casey had any help with the project and like any good husband, he was quick to give credit where credit is due. “My help came from my supportive wife who acted as my purchasing officer and procuring agent for all the high end parts.” I asked if there were any other challenges with the car as he went and Casey replied, “The paint was another thing that proved to be a challenge. After the body work and door gaps fit the way I wanted them, I hauled the car across the state to be painted.”

With high hopes, Casey went back to check on the paint after a few weeks and was underwhelmed to say the least. “When I got the car back, after close inspection, it just didn’t meet up to the standard that I felt the car deserved.” Casey wanted to get the car right after all his hard work and lucky for him, he had a good friend that agreed to help him out. “My buddy Parnell agreed to look at the Chevelle and said he would give it a try. He took it down to base coat and re-shot it, cleared coated it and did the final cut and buff, redoing the ghost stripes. He ended up nailing it!”

1969 Chevelle Build List:

• 383 stroker
• H beam rods
• splayed 4 bolt caps
• worked cast heads
• King Demon 750 carb
• 580 HP at sea level
• Tremec TKO 500 5 speed
• Currie shortened 9 “
• Willwood  cross drilled and slotted Dynalite discs on all corners
• Global West tubular upper and lower control arms
• adjustable rear trailing arms
• Afco double adjustable coil over shocks on all corners.2 ” drop spindles on front
• MT ET Street radials on rear
• 295 /65 15 (non tubbed)
• Magna flow 3″ exhaust with electric cut outs.
• Kool Mat on interior floor keeps it cool and quiet
• Carbon fiber dash
• Lokar pedals
• Original door/window handles
• Shaved firewall
• No wipers, no heater no radio
• Interior is Metallic Parchment with a hint of gold
• Auto Meter American Muscle gauges

“When I began this build, my goal was to build a non-tubed, big tire car with top shelf suspension, so thats what I kept in sight. All the trim, grille and light bezels are original, brought back to life with extensive buffing. Bumpers  are original but re-chromed. The frame and under carriage is as clean as the body I took it all down to bare metal are coated and sealed it in chassis black and sealer.”

The car is now complete and has proven to be a crowd favorite and Consistent show winner, recently receiving the Best of Show award at the Kemmerer Lions club show and awards at Rod and Rails in Rock Springs and Graffiti Drags in Salt Lake City. Casey added that the car came out “very quick and nimble,” saying that the car is able to cruise at 80 mph @ 2800 Rpm in 5th gear.

Restomods

Thanks Casey for taking the time to speak with us and sharing your amazing car with our friends!

Cheers!