Here is an example of a car that proves persistence is key. Ken McClusky of Poulsbo, Washington, built this car over the course of a decade. Take a look at these before and after photos with Ken’s daughters standing next to it in both photos. They are the same kids, just aged for scale.

The previous owner started this as a drag car project. “He had cut up the floors and done a bunch of other stuff I had to undo,” Ken explained. “I even had to remove the aftermarket sunroof!” Now, years later, he has a car he is really proud of.

“It’s a good little running car,” Ken modestly explains as we talked to him about it. He has put 11,000 miles on it since he finished the restoration and it is clear that he has kept good care of it over the course of those miles.

Although it isn’t a drag car, it definitely has a little kick to it. He built it with a 388 cubic-inch stroker motor, 4-speed manual transmission, Edelbrock 750cfm carburetor, front disc brakes, and a 3.55:1 positraction rearend. The next step, though, is to swap out the rearend, Ken wants something that doesn’t whine so bad on the freeway.

“My older brother got one of these when he returned from Nam,” Ken told us. “I have been a Chevelle fan ever since! It is really not hard at all to tell why. This red 1968 Chevelle really epitomizes what it means to be a modest piece of muscle. “I know every nut and bolt on this car.”

Ken made a conscious and serious effort to get everything original and correct for this car. Even the wheels are actually from the 1960s. He had to buy them in separate pairs on eBay to get them that way, too! Ken’s Chevelle proves that it’s a labor of love that pays off in many ways.

If you want your car or truck to be a part of our Street Feature series, all you have to do is shoot us an email and tell us about your ride and we will make it happen.