Greenlight 1:64 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle: Detroit Speed Moe's Chevelle

Moe, a first-time customer of Detroit Speed, handed his 1970 Chevelle to the team and clearly stated that he wanted a daily driver, but it also had to merit classification as a super car. That meant more than simply muscle car power, it also meant that it needed to handle twists and turns and be equally-capable at hyper speeds. Not an easy chore when you think about it!

When the car came to Detroit Speed, it was fitted with a 502ci big-block Chevrolet engine. Many folks would stop there, but there is so much more available today.

That meant that the engine gave way to more modern LSX power that was further assisted by supercharging. The entire fire-breathing teddy-bear of an engine was assembled by Mast Motorsports and tuned using a Holley Dominator computer.

The engine displaces 427 cubic inches while the supercharger specs out to 4.0 Liters and has the option to feed off of 93-octane pump gas, C16 race gas, or E85 Ethanol. The Dominator ECU dutifully handles tunes for each fuel with simply a click of a button. Initial tuning has produced 863rwhp on E85 fuel.

Beyond simply power, this Chevelle has to be quick on its feet when the road or track makes a turn. To help with that, team DSE unbolted the entire chassis from under the car and started fresh. That meant that ladder-style frame rails were added for strength and rigidity and modified to accept a Detroit Speed QUADRA-Link rear suspension assembly. To further the trip to the rear tires, a DSE-fabricated nine-inch houses 3.89 gears and a Truetrac power-splitter.

To blend the line between daily-driver and curves dominator, a full complement of JRI double-adjustable shocks front and rear allow for a full spectrum of handling and ride comfort. The front suspension received the same level of attention with a complete DSE-fabricated assembly, including steering and spindles. To bring the car back from super car status, a set of carbon-ceramic brake rotors have been fitted, thanks to the Corvette ZR1 parts bin.

Blending bodywork that still conveys the muscle car heritage while broadening the envelope into super car status requires talent, and restraint. You don’t hang tassels on the Mona Lisa, but giving her that inquisitive, enigmatic smile has baffled art scholars for centuries. Likewise, the smallest of details can render the face of a muscle car into masterpiece status.

Not making light of the fact that about every panel of the car has been massaged in one way or another, from floor to roofline, it’s the smaller details that catch the eye. Items like the brushed trim that surrounds the taillights and turn signals, or handles that are flush-mounted into the door skins continue to draw the viewer’s attention, edging them on to explore where that fine line between modified and original resides.