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Entire
sight is copyrighted. Text and photos contained on this sight may not be
reproduced or distributed without written permission from the sight owner. Information
herein is presented for the enjoyment of the reader and is believed accurate.
Many sources - both contemporary and
historical - have been utilized to educate the author. Errors made are not
intentional - they are mistakes! |
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Richard Fudge’s Z16, one owner since 1970! |
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Richard Fudge owns an incredible black Z16 with the
rare white interior. All Z16s are sharp, but you have to love this car! Read
the great history, below, as told by Richard in his own words. |
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“The Crusader” Like
Richard’s, many a Z16 saw dedicated drag strip use. This photo dates from the
late ‘60’s. In the stock wheelwells, a 7” slick - like
these shown here on Richard’s car - were the biggest that could be stuffed
in. |
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Beautiful, correct restoration is still holding up
well after over a decade. Chris Daniels of California worked his magic on it. Note the “IX” engine suffix code (same as stamped on
the pad) written in white crayon on the right hand cylinder head. This
marking is visible in photos of different Z16 engines from 1965 road tests in
“Popular Hot Rodding” and “Motor Trend”. Also of interest is the radiator end upper hose
clamp. The assembly plant rotated it counterclockwise from vertical (as
viewed) to clear the hood. It DOES hit if the screw is vertical! |
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Richard Relates: “I worked after school at Felts’ Tune-Up Shop. The
owner, Clyde Felts, was a drag racer. I would work after school at the shop
and go to the local drag strip on the weekends. In my senior year of high
school Clyde decided to buy a 1969 Camaro, 396-375hp. with alum heads to run
B-stock to replace the now old and out of date 396 Chevelle. Well here is my
chance, I told him I would like to buy “The Crusader” if it was for sale.
After swapping out a few racing parts off the Chevelle, we made it street
worthy. We installed mufflers and put the heater and radio back. I paid him
$1500 (….at $25 a week, which was half of my paycheck). It had a little over
4600 miles on the odometer (not including the “1/4 miles” run on the track)
when I got it. I drove it to high school the rest of my Senior year.
(“Cool!”). After a couple years I parked it in backyard with
13,892 miles on it. I started to drive a 1970 Monte Carlo; an automatic with
air. Luckily I didn’t sell it, even though I had offers from a few guys that
wanted to buy it. I was working driving a truck on the road and didn’t need a
daily driver or the extra money. About 1982 I joined NCOA and met up with
other ‘65-396 Chevelle owners. I met Chris Daniels at Super Chevy Indy in
1985. He came to NCOA show in Nashville. After talking with Chris while he
was here in Nashville I decided to send the car to Calif. and Chris Daniels
agreed to do the restoration for me correctly. Chris spent 18 month
completely restoring the car. I drove to San Jose, Ca. to pick up the car.
Chris came back with me and we took it to the 1993 NCOA Greensboro NC.
Chevelle Showdown. We took home Platinum in ‘65 restored class along with the
award for the best orig interior at the show, and longest distance traveled
to the show. I am now a member of ACES, the national Chevelle
club, and the local club, Mid South Chevelle Club here in middle Tennessee.
We help Chuck Hanson to host Chevellabration, which is the yearly gathering
for ACES. There are usually 300 + 1964-1972 Chevelles present. I show my car
at the ACES show most every year. Yes, it is Tuxedo Black with white interior and it
drives like a new car. It is very fun to drive! I think I need to take a trip
back to Maplewood High School and just drive around the school one more time,
just like 1971. It still sounds the same as it did 30+ years ago. I am still looking for old pictures of the car when
they drag raced it. I also have a 1965 L-79 Chevelle 2-door hardtop I am
planning on restoring. I also have a 1965 Convertible Chevelle. I have
installed a 1965 L-79 engine with a turbo transmission. I will drive that one
more often.” |
