As I sit here today pondering yester year I am reflecting on a particular combination I had to part with due to unforseen economic misfortune. That was back in 1968 when I received my "notice to report for induction". I had purchased a new 66 SS Chevelle in 1966 and being a California car it was somewhat of a turd. It was rated at 360hp but I seriously doubt it came close given the required air pump and other restrictive components. I was employed by GM back then and enjoyed a discount at the local Chevy dealer at which the parts manager was pretty hip on the upcoming performance offerings. I frequented theof parts department and thought I needed to change something to repair the weak 360hp 396. On the visit on a particular day in time the parts manager "Irv" told me of a soon to be offered HD 427 short block. We bartered and the guy even let me bring payments each week to get enough in the kitty to buy it. So for a whopping $322. I ordered my 427. The parts department sold me a pair of rectangle port heads which had busted valve guides for $15 each and I had them replaced at the local auto parts store. I capped off that engine with a brand new 1967 tri power set up offered in the parts catalog. So after a while I got it in place in my 4 spd 66 and went racing. That car was a rocket in it's time but in July 68' it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to make $107$ car payments on a mere $93 per month income so I had to make a call and list the car in the local newspaper. I have the listing here somewhere so if I run across it I'll edit this and insert it into this post. Parting with that combo has been a life long regret but it is what it is. I'd love to know the story of that car after I sold it but some things are never known. That is one of my most memorable losses.
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