This week’s Fan Car Friday is brought to us by Michael with his 1971 Chevelle. Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written consent from the owner.

Michael’s story comes to us in a very positive manner. The vehicle became his through a rather unusual circumstance. Being a teacher he admits he doesn’t have enough money to buy his dream car, a 1970 Impala. When he saw his neighbor, Ed, had a 1971 Chevelle he always found himself talking with him about the car and the days gone by when they were racing around and working on their cars. As the years went on, Ed was getting to the age where he was unable to continue the usual duties one has when they own a house; cutting the grass, taking out the garbage, cleaning the gutters, raking leaves etc. Being a bit younger, Michael found himself doing these chores for his good friend and neighbor. He wasn’t doing them because he was getting paid, or because he wanted something in return. He was doing that because “It’s just what you do”

After helping his neighbor for a good number of years, Michael found Ed at his doorstep one Sunday afternoon. Ed handed Michael an envelope, gave him a nod and said “You treat me right, you’ll treat it right” and walked away. Inside were the keys (and the proper documentation) to make the Chevelle his.

A rust free, original 350, and overall clean 1971 Chevelle were Michael’s. It does have a few small dings/dents, but it has a new transmission, exhaust, headers, carburetor, power brakes and disc brake upgrade. The interior is original, but on par for its age, the entire electrical system is clean and it starts without hesitation. It may have needed a new headliner, tires and a restored dash, but all around it was a well preserved car. It could use some work, but it was far from needing it. Michael was speechless to say the least.

Since that day he has doing some small maintenance things like the new headliner and tires, and has been going over the dash to make it new. But he doesn’t want to do anything that touches the soul of the car. What truly made it Ed’s vehicle to begin with.

The two men are still friends. Michael tells us they haven’t had a conversation outright about the car, but that doesn’t mean they both haven’t communicated greatly about it. Unless it is raining or there is salt on the roads, the two of them drive down to the local diner in the Chevelle for breakfast every Sunday and have been doing so for the last 3 years.

Michael says his favorite car was the 1970 Impala, but it quickly has changed to the 1971 Chevelle he now owns. He says his favorite thing about the car is his friendship with Ed.