The timing chain dropped so we put a 302 in her. My father had the foresight to keep the original engine. We plan on rebuilding the 289 soon. When the engine is done we will take out the 302 clean and paint the engine compartment and drop her back in.

        After college, I bought a different car to drive and the California Special sat in my parents driveway. My dad and I worked on her a little at a time. We changed a fender both doors, put new carpet,and a new headliner. We sanded her down to bare metal and took her to the paint shop. When she came home she was a pretty candyapple red with black hood stripes and black side stripes.

        I work for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The jail in Castaic used to have an upholstry shop. I had the seats re-upholstered there, in the early 1990's. I did not want vinyl since it gets really hot where I live. So I had them re done in the original pattern using commercial grade fabric. I am pleased with the way they turned out.

        This car has always ran good and even though I do not drive her alot since she now sits in my parents garage 100 miles away from me, she always starts right up and runs great.