Montana man gets his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle rebuilt as a 1,200HP beast, but one person isn't too thrilled about it

Published on Dec 08, 2025 at 9:34 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara

Last updated on Dec 05, 2025 at 10:00 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

A Montana man decided to get his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle rebuilt.

This wasn’t just any old rebuild, however.

Because he turned it into a horsepower behemoth

But while he’s over the moon, someone else isn’t quite so happy…

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This 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle is a savage

This story concerns one of the coolest restomods you will ever see.

And the car at the epicentre is one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time.

This 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle has a long and storied history.

Because this muscle car has spent more than 40 years with the same family.

Owner Bill Garrigan has rebuilt the car several times over the years and decades.

But he says that the latest restomod attempt is the perfect one for him.

Garrigan has been developing and tweaking his Chevelle since his teens.

He has already fitted an LS6 powerplant in place of the original LS5.

Over the years, the car remained in largely stock condition.

Despite modern trends to eliminate chrome, Garrigan insisted on keeping the original brightwork.

This was a nod to the era that shaped his taste.

But what lies at the heart of the transformation of this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle?

It turns out that the restomod centers on a twin-turbocharged 427-cubic-inch LSX V8.

After starting with a brand-new block, it was ported, fitted with turbos, and matched to a custom intake.

So, how has all of this affected the total power output?

It is a massive power boost – to the tune of 1,200hp, as a matter of fact.

One person isn’t a fan, though

As you might imagine, that Chevelle has evolved into a road-going savage.

But there is one person who doesn’t agree with the upgrades.

And that person is the one person closest to Bill Garrigan – his wife.

She tends to find the car too loud and too intense.

And this is at low, modest speeds.

This fantastic build was recently featured on the Autotopia LA YouTube channel, and the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle stands as a testament to the world of restomods.

It is a rare blend of craftsmanship, legacy, and unbelievable amounts of horsepower, a 55-year-old classic reimagined for a new era.

But it very much prides itself on the era from which it came.

Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.