PEARL

A '67 Chevelle SS That Keeps Its Cool

- WORDS BY CHRIS HAMILTON PHOTOS BY JOSUE GARCIA

IN A HOBBY OFTEN DEFINED BY EXCESS, JESSIE THOMAS'S 1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS STANDS OUT PRECISELY BECAUSE IT REFUSES TO SHOUT. KNOWN AS "PEARL," the BIG-BLOCK CHEVELLE WEARS A COAT OF MODERN WHITE DIAMOND TRI-COAT THAT SHIFTS FROM BRIGHT WHITE IN THE FLORIDA SUN TO A SUBTLE PEARL UNDER SHOW LIGHTS. THE PAINT, EXPERTLY APPLIED BY EREK LARSON IN TITUSVILLE, COVERS A BODY THAT REMAINS REMARKABLY FAITHFUL TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN. THE FACTORY BUMPERS ARE THE ORIGINALS, SIMPLY REFINISHED IN SATIN BLACK FOR CONTRAST. AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS ARE THE ONLY VISIBLE CONCESSION TO THE 21ST CENTURY; EVERYTHING ELSE IS PURE 1967 ATTITUDE.