Summary

Bought new by Al Smith, 'Mr. Goodwrench,' in May 1965. Always been a drag car. Originally an L79, 4-speed, mostly original paint and original interior and vinyl roof. Rare, one-of-a-kind.

Details

This Chevelle was purchased new by Al Smith which he raced in the Chicago area. Al Smith, better known as 'Mr. Goodwrench,' was GM's image-builder in the '70s and '80s. He toured the United States promoting service and parts at all the GM dealers. This 'Bald Eagle' got its name from Al Smith, who was bald early in life. The car was lettered with white shoe polish when new, saying 'Bald Eagle.' He raced at US 30, Oswego, Union Grove, Byron/Rockford. The car sat for twenty years (1978-98), then was put in Floyd Garrett's Muscle Car Museum until 2005 when it was brought back to Illinois. At that time, it was upgraded and prepared for more drag racing. Between 2006 and 2016, it was raced at Route 66 Joliet Raceway, Havana, IL, Cordova, IL, Union Grove, WI, and Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, KS. The car was an original L79 327/350hp, 4-speed manual transmission with posi-traction. Window Sticker, Protect-O-Plate and owner's pouch are included. The original 327 was blown-up the first year of racing. The 350ci engine currently in the car has been refreshed with COMP hydraulic cams and balanced and blueprinted. It has the old-school tunnel Ram with two 4-barrel Holley 600s.The Muncie 4-speed is a Liberty modified for drag racing and the Hurst shifter is intact. The original 12-bolt 4.56 posi-traction with ladder bars is still in the car. All of the books, papers, displays (including the metal Mr. Goodwrench) and stand-up of Al Smith go with the sale of this car.