Larry Penkava
Staff Writer
GRAYS CHAPEL —
Larry Routh’s 1964 Chevelle Malibu convertible has run the gamut from hay hauler to hotrod.
Now it’s used to chauffeur VIPs at events such as the Asheboro Veterans Parade, the Millboro Fourth of July celebration and local Christmas parades. This Saturday (the even was held Aug. 21) it’ll be the featured vehicle of the 20th annual Car Show at Asheboro’s Bicentennial Park, presented by the Zooland Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.
The car was originally owned by Jane May Bowden, who bought it from Nance Chevrolet. In the early 1970s, Clay Routh expressed an interest in the Chevelle, if and when the Bowdens decided to sell.
When Routh saw the car being used in 1976 to haul hay from field to barn, he knew it was time and made a serious offer. After a period of dickering, he took possession in 1977 for the sale price of $650.
After a modest restoration, Routh drove the car the way it was intended – for cruising, spinning wheels and driving fast. A local race car driver, Routh was the family hotrodder.
But he spun the wheels once too often.
“I got caught in Greensboro by a patrolman,” he said. “He told me they knew who I was and were I lived,” leaving him with the strong impression that they’d be looking out for the Daytona blue Chevelle ragtop.
Asked if he was speeding, he grinned and said, “Probably.
“I parked it,” Routh said. “I was afraid to drive it.”
That was in 1991 and the Chevelle remained in a shed until 2002, when brother Larry bought it and began restoration work.
“When I got it the floorboard was rusted out,” he said, “and the trunk had to be replaced.”
He had it sand blasted and beaded in Greensboro and James Powell did the body work. Frank Routh, who worked for Petty Enterprises, replaced the 283 engine with a 350-cubic inch Corvette plant that he redid to produce 450 horsepower.
Larry Routh replaced the Daytona blue with the lighter-colored LeMans blue, reupholstered the seats in gray and blue covers, did the door panels in white, redid the carpet and dash pads in black and installed a white top.
For his first show, Routh took his Chevelle to Myrtle Beach but not for judging. Since then he’s been a regular at car shows and has the trophies to prove it.
“I drive it every once in a while,” he said. “Mostly I take it to shows and cruise-ins.”
But he never drives it fast like his brother. Honest.
Larry Penkava can be reached at (336) 625-5576 or by e-mail at lpenkava@randolphguide.com
