Home-Built Hero: Denver Miller’s ’65 Chevelle Is One Cool Cruiser

When it comes to classic rides that lend themselves to modifications, Chevrolet’s Chevelle is one that looks good no matter how you restore or modify it. Proof of this is found in Denver Miller’s ’65 model. We found out about his Chevelle while perusing the TMI Products blog page and thought you guys might also like to see more of it.

Chevelle

The interior is a modernized work of art. (Images courtesy: TMI Products).

Denver acquired this first-gen after he traded a friend for a ’65 Galaxie. While the Galaxie is a cool ride, it’s not a Chevelle. Anyway, Denver intended to keep the car as a nice driver, but as happens so often, he started to contemplate “what if?” The impetus for this creation came about by accident — quite literally.

A pair of TMI Products Pro-Sport low back buckets are covered with a Camel Verona Vinyl with Tweed Inserts.

While enjoying a leisurely drive, a distracted driver slammed into the rear passenger quarter panel and the rebuild commenced. The body was removed from the frame and was sent to Santa Rosa Auto Body (conveniently owned by the former owner-friend who traded him the car).

The exterior is sprayed silver and the finishing touches include new bumpers from OPGI and custom emblems made by Goldsmith Street Rods.

Under the hood is a “tweaked” LS3 that utilizes an ASA camshaft, Hooker exhaust manifolds, Edelbrock intake, Holley EFI, Delmo Speed LS3 retro-style dress-up kit, a Drive Junky front drive kit, LS Classic distributor, and a wiring kit from American Autowire. Behind the LS are a TREMEC T-56 and a Strange Engineering-filled rear with 3.89 gears.

When it comes to the interior, Denver wanted something custom yet easily acquired. Enter TMI Products. Denver chose to use a pair of Pro-Sport low-back bucket seats that are a modern twist on a classic style. The front and rear seats are covered with Camel Verona vinyl sporting tweed inserts. Looking up while comfortably seated, we see the White Basketweave headliner with matching sun visors. Looking down, we find a Light-Saddle loop carpet. Denver also purchased more Camel Verona vinyl from TMI to cover the console and dash pad.

More creature comforts come by way of Nu-Relics power windows, an iPad mounted in the console, and tunes blasting from a Classic Car USA-740 Stereo with a JL Audio amp and speakers all around. Dakota Digital Inc RTX gauges monitor engine vitals.

It took Denver two-and-a-half years to complete the build, but as you can see, the time was well spent. He now rides around in a custom Chevelle that turns heads wherever it goes.

If you want to see more of Denver’s Chevelle — or other TMI-equipped rides, you can check out the TMI Products blog page.

Do you want to read about more Home-Built Heroes? All you need to do is click here. I want to see those reader’s rides. If you would like to share yours, I want to hear about it. Since I started this series, I have received more than a few candidates, but I still want to see more — I can never get enough. If you want to see more cars built by you the readers, send a few pictures of your car showing the engine, interior, and exterior, along with all of the pertinent information, and I’ll make you internet famous. You can send your submissions to chevyhardcore@powerautomedia.com.

About the author

Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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