Goodguys 2027 Grand Prize Giveaway 1966 Chevelle Part 3 – GAP Industries Preps the Speedtech Extreme Chassis to Meet the Body
Sometimes, getting framed can be a good thing. Especially when you’re talking about outfitting a classic muscle machine with an all-new chassis engineered to deliver premium performance, cornering control, and ride quality. That’s exactly the type of foundation GAP Industries is putting under the 2027 Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway 1966 Chevelle, courtesy of Speedtech Performance.
In our previous installment, we showed you how the sheet metal masters at GAP essentially built a new Chevelle body using reproduction sheet metal from Auto Metal Direct. This time, we’ll cover how they got that body mounted on an all-new frame from Speedtech Performance – the basis of Speedtech’s impressive ExtReme IRS chassis.
Speedtech’s ExtReme IRS chassis was designed and engineered to deliver no-compromise handling and modern pro-touring performance. It’s based on Speedtech’s A-body full frame that features box-welded construction and tabbed-through-frame gusseting for added rigidity. The front suspension is designed around Speedtech’s forged aluminum Extreme spindle and features tubular upper and lower control arms, coil-over shocks, a tunable tubular chromoly splined sway bar, and a Sweet Mfg. dual-power rack-and-pinion steering setup. The suspension is not only designed for great grip and handling but is also engineered with wide wheel-and-tire combos in mind – up to a 315/30/18 tire up front with full steering clearance!The IRS version of the ExtReme chassis pairs that front suspension with an equally impressive independent rear suspension. It also features tubular control arms, forged aluminum spindles, a three-piece tunable sway bar, plus multiple coil-over shock mounting configurations, including the exotic-looking cantilever setup we’ll be using on the Chevelle. In the middle of all that handling hardware is a Dutchman aluminum 9-inch differential housing and center section, plus forged, CNC-machined chromoly stub axles.
Best of all, the Speedtech chassis is designed to bolt directly into the Chevelle’s factory body mount locations. The IRS system does require some cutting and fabrication, but Speedtech offers transmission tunnels and IRS enclosures to help shops and DIY enthusiasts tackle those tasks and create a starightforward installation.
The following photos provide some highlights from the process of fitting the Chevelle body to its new frame and performing an initial installation of the suspension components. It’s always exciting when body and frame come together for the first time, and it was truly impressive to see how well the modern Speedtech suspension systems fit within the confines of the classic Chevelle sheet metal. This initial mock-up stage is a sign of great things to come, and we can’t wait to see the continuing progress on this Chevelle in the months ahead!
If you missed the first two installments, check them out: Part 1, Part 2
Photos: GAP Industries, Speedtech Performance
