Feature Car for May 2025

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Feature Car of the Month for May 2025

Ivano De Santis / 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

I’ve been a car guy for as long as I can remember, but my obsession with muscle cars really kicked off in high school.

Back then, I drove a 1969 Grand Prix Model J with a 400-cubic-inch engine—a hand-me-down from my parents. Muscle cars were everywhere, but my buddy had a 1970 Chevelle with a 396 Cowl Induction, and it blew me away. From that moment on, I knew I had to own one someday.

Over the years, my love for classic cars never faded. My son and I started going to car shows together, and I’d point out the cars my friends and I drove growing up. I’d tell him about the features that made them special—things you just don’t see in cars today. No matter how many cars we saw, the 1970 Chevelle always stood out to me. That’s when I decided I wasn’t just going to dream about it anymore—I was going to make it happen.

In 2020, I came across an ad in Autobuy magazine for a 1970 Chevelle with a 454 cowl induction. It was listed by a guy in Long Island, New York. I didn’t waste any time; I sent him a deposit and drove down with my son to pick it up. Since January 2022, I’ve been restoring it piece by piece—upgrading the engine, working on the suspension, fixing up the bodywork, and bringing it back to its original colour. It’s still a work in progress, but that’s part of the fun.

I’ll never forget the first time I took it out for a spin. It was early summer 2022, and I drove it to the Markham Stouffville Cruisers car show at the Stouffville Legion Hall. I joined the club not long after and haven’t looked back. The people, the cars, the cruises, and the shows—they’ve all been a blast. Seeing people appreciate these cars, hearing their stories, and trading memories—it’s what makes being part of the car culture community so rewarding. Let’s be honest there’s nothing like getting a thumbs-up from another car enthusiast when you’re out on the road.

Last year was a big one for my Chevelle. It picked up a few awards...like Vehicle of the Week at the Uxbridge Cruise-In (Bonner Boys) and the Lorne Meyer Memorial Award for Best Car at the Highway 11 Cruises C.C.

In addition to the Chevelle, I’ve got a small collection of classics I love driving. I also proudly own; a 1979 Camaro Z28, a 1969 Grand Prix, and a 1972 Fiat 500L that reflects my Italian roots. I’m planning to bring all of them out to this year’s shows and hope people enjoy them as much as I do.

I want to thank the Markham Stouffville Cruisers Club for giving me the chance to share my story. Here’s to another season full of great cars, good friends, and plenty of cruising!

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