1196 Wigwam Parkway
Henderson, NV 89074
702.369.7037
Reach us at
Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Our shop is open
Henderson, NV 89074
Reach us at
Our shop is open
One off Chevelle restomods from our shop near Las Vegas, like WhippleD: a 1970 Chevelle with a Whipple supercharged LS on a chassis we built, unveiled at SEMA 2024.
Nostalgia Hot Rods builds custom Chevelles at 1196 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, NV 89074, just outside Las Vegas, and at our second shop in Cedar City, Utah. Call (702) 369-7037. Two of our Chevelles have been covered in public: WhippleD, a 1970 shown at SEMA 2024, and a widebody 1966 filmed by Autotopia LA. This page walks through both, with the source for every spec, and explains how a Chevelle build works.
WhippleD started life as a big block 1970 Chevelle. We rebuilt it from the frame up and unveiled it in CTEK’s booth at the 2024 SEMA Show on November 5, as Motorious reported that October.
Here’s what’s on it, going by that report. At the unveil, Dustin described the engine on our own video as a 427 with a 2.9 liter Whipple, so the engine line below is the report’s figure.
| Part | On WhippleD |
|---|---|
| Engine | LSX 408 with a Whipple 3.0 supercharger |
| Engine management | Holley Terminator |
| Transmission | Tremec T56 six speed manual |
| Chassis | Custom chassis built by Nostalgia Hot Rods |
| Front suspension | Independent tubular front end |
| Rear suspension | Watts link four link |
| Ride | Shockwave air suspension |
| Wheels and tires | Budnik Spiders wheels on Toyo tires |
| Paint and glass | Valspar paint, custom glass from AM Hot Rods Glass |
| Interior and audio | Denim blue leather, Focal sound system |
| Battery care | CTEK CS FREE booster and charger |
Plenty of Chevelles left the factory with a big block, and that’s part of the legend. WhippleD did too. In its place, Motorious lists a supercharged LSX 408 with Holley Terminator fuel injection.
Why change it? A modern LS based engine with fuel injection starts on the first turn, idles clean in traffic and doesn’t need a carburetor tuned for the weather. The supercharger adds the power a big block was known for.
The transmission follows the same thinking. A Tremec T56 has six gears, so the car can cruise at highway speed without the engine screaming.
Not every owner wants that. Some want the big block kept, and that’s a fair choice. We’ll talk it through with you before anything comes out of the car.
A Chevelle’s original frame and suspension were designed for the cars and tires of their day. A supercharged engine, wide modern tires and air ride ask far more of them.
So WhippleD sits on a chassis we built. Up front is an independent tubular suspension. Out back, a four link with a Watts link keeps the rear axle located, so it doesn’t shift side to side in a corner. Shockwave air springs let the car sit low when it’s parked and rise when it needs to clear a driveway.
Building the frame ourselves lets every part sit where this car needs it. It’s also why the chassis is the first thing we plan.
Our other well known Chevelle is a widebody 1966. Autotopia LA filmed a full walkthrough of it for YouTube, titled 900HP Big Block Widebody ’66 Chevelle Pro Touring.
That title says a lot. Where WhippleD went to a supercharged LS, the 1966 runs a big block, and its body is a widebody.
Two Chevelles, two different answers to the same question. That’s the point of a one off build: the car is planned around how its owner wants to drive it.
Tell us about the car you have, or the one you want, and how you plan to drive it.
We’ve built on a 1966 and a 1970, and the process is the same for any classic Chevelle. Start with the body style you love.
Because the frame and running gear get replaced, a worn out chassis isn’t a reason to pass on a car. What matters more is the body: the floors, the quarters and the trunk pan. Rust is normal on a car this old. We cut out what’s gone and replace it with new sheet metal.
If you don’t have a car yet, tell us what you’re after. We’ll talk through what to look for before you buy.
Before we plan parts, we ask how you’ll use the car. The answers decide most of the build, and there’s no wrong answer to any of them.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Road trips, shows or track days? | A road trip car needs comfort and a quiet cabin. A track car needs brakes and cooling first. |
| Manual or automatic? | WhippleD has a six speed manual. Plenty of owners want an automatic for traffic, and that’s a fine choice. |
| Keep the big block or go LS? | Both can make big power. It comes down to the sound, the feel and how you’ll drive it. |
| Air ride or coilovers? | Air ride lets the car sit low when parked. Coilovers are set once and tuned for how it drives. |
| Factory look or full custom? | Some owners hide every modern part. Others want every surface made new. |
Street Trucks reported in October 2023 that we do fabrication, interior and paint in our own shop. That’s where a Chevelle goes from fast to finished.
WhippleD shows how far the details go. Motorious lists Valspar paint and custom glass from AM Hot Rods Glass. Inside, it has denim blue leather and a Focal sound system.
Your car can be as quiet or as loud as you want it. Some owners keep the factory look and hide the modern parts. Others want every surface new.
It starts with a call or the quote form. We talk about the car, your plans and how you’ll use it: cruising, shows, road trips or track days.
Then we plan the whole build at once. Engine, chassis, suspension, brakes, body, paint and interior are decided together, before any metal gets cut.
Our projects typically take 9 to 12 months, as All Chevy Performance reported in June 2024. More custom fabrication takes longer, and we’ll say so at the start.
You don’t need to live near Las Vegas or Cedar City. Our builds ship to collectors, racers and enthusiasts across the world.
We showed 10 vehicles at SEMA 2023, as Motorious reported that November, and WhippleD was unveiled at SEMA 2024.
See all of our restomod and pro touring builds, or read about our twin turbo 1969 Camaro, another GM muscle car rebuilt to drive like a modern one.
For the bigger picture, read about our custom hot rod and street rod builds.
We don’t publish prices. Every build has too many variables, from the starting car to the parts you choose. Reach out for a proper quote at (702) 369-7037 or use the quote form.
Our projects typically take 9 to 12 months, as All Chevy Performance reported in June 2024. Builds with more custom fabrication can take longer.
Yes. Our builds ship to collectors, racers and enthusiasts across the world. You don’t have to be near Las Vegas or Cedar City.
Yes. Our twin turbo 1969 Camaro was featured in All Chevy Performance in June 2024, and Autotopia LA filmed our 1969 Dodge Charger.
Tell us about your Chevelle and how you want to drive it. We’ll walk you through the build.
Nostalgia Hot Rods · 1196 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, NV 89074 · (702) 369-7037