Last season, we saw that Kansas City Chiefs Tight End, Travis Kelce, had an affinity for second-gen Chevy Chevelles, when he and Taylor Swift were caught on cam in a 1970 droptop version. Now as we approach the 2024 NFL playoffs, a Chevelle and Kelce once again make headlines together, along with 81 Kansas City high school students that sparked new life in a once-abandoned 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS.
The ‘69 Chevelle, once known as “America’s most popular mid-size car”, was the focus of an electric conversion project completed by the highschoolers. In the three-year, full frame-off, electro-mod resto, the Chevelle was converted into an all-electric version of itself. Now completed and ready to show out, Kelce rolled the Chevelle to this month’s Sunday Night Football match-up versus the Chargers.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Tesla, Chevrolet, MINDDRIVE and Eighty-Seven and Running, the Travis Kelce Foundation.
The Chevelle Electro-Mod Power Came From A Tesla Model S
A 2016 Tesla Model S supplied the donor rear-drive-unit and the 87 kWh battery pack for the ’69 Chevelle’s restoration. To accommodate housing of the Tesla motor and fitment of the Tesla components, the Chevelle’s rear suspension was fabbed, and included custom spindles, and wheel hubs from a C4 Chevy Corvette. With its new electric powertrain, the OG Chevelle produces 450 horses with a 250-mile range.
Other Modernizations Added To The ’69 Chevelle
- Power Windows
- Power Locks
- Power Steering
- Air Conditioning
- Dakota Digitals
- 1,200-Watt Hands-Free Bluetooth Replica Audio System with two 10-inch Subs
The Chevelle Was Redesigned To Incorporate The Electric Motor
In addition to the electric transplant, the project required straightening the Chevelle’s severely bent frame, replacing 60 percent of the body metal, and a complete rework of the car’s five-speed manual shifter. Programming the cable-less Tesla motor to sense the position of the shifter and telling it when to shift was one of the challenges the students encountered while completing the build.
The electrified Chevelle was finished in Garnet Red before being entered into the annual Kelce Car Jam and the 2024 Electrify Showoff competition, where it took Best of Show. The Chevelle SS will be auctioned off in 2025.
The Chevelle EV Swap Was Made Possible By Many
The electric Chevelle project was aided by Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City non-profit organization for children, and Kelce’s own foundation, Eighty-Seven And Running, along with MINDDRIVE, an independent non-profit education provider, Operation Breakthrough, a comprehensive support service for youth from underserved communities, and Ignition lab, a STEM lab for high school students.
“I’m just a guy that plays a silly game in the stadium; you guys make stuff like this happen; so I appreciate you guys big time,” said Kelce.
The anticipated student impact offered participation in the Engineering Design Studio or the Electric Vehicle Design Studio, hands-on technical skills, market value assets and exposure to advanced EV systems, as well as providing inspiration for future careers. Those interested in entering the raffle for the EV ’69 can find more information at Operation Breakthrough. Tickets are $100.
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