Profile: Eric and Donna Engels, Eagan MN. 3 children and 2 (+ one on the way) grandchildren.
I have been a life long Chevy buff and have in the past owned a 58 Impala, 59 Belair, 62 SS, 62 Corvette, 66 Impala convert, and a 55 Chevy 1/2 ton short box. Donna learned to drive in her fathers' 66 Biscayne and drove it through high school. It had been a few years since my last vintage Chevy (66 convert) and got the bug again. I was looking for a 61 Bubble Top when I found the 62 SS that was near identical to the one I owned in my youth.
We found the car on Ebay in April 2003 for a price I couldn't refuse so my son, daughter, and son-in-law drove down to St. Louis to pick it up. We were able to drive it back on its own power to Minnesota with only one break down - a plugged fuel filter. Other than that she ran well!
The 3+ year restoration began in May 2003 and was a "frame off" project. The 1st year the frame, suspension, disc brake conversion, and engine were completed. Year two was devoted to replacing floor pans, rocker panels, trunk, and reuniting the body and frame. Year three was spent on body work, paint, and interior. The interior is still a work in progress.
The car was originally a Ermine white with light Gold interior but is now Silver Blue with a Blue interior. It was a 283 Powerglide car and is now a 283 4 speed with a 327 transplant planned for the future. The family has named the car Sven Svenson (for SS) as they felt with the amount of time I have spent with it, it was a family member and deserve a name.
The car should be complete by late spring, hopefully in time for the All GM and Back To The Fifties car shows.
Eric and Donna Engels
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