Officer finds his Chevrolet Chevelle dream car
Members of law enforcement are highly trained to keep alert for the unusual, suspicious and, at times, very cool. What most of us casually glance over, lawmen can quickly identify and assess.
In Sgt. Jerry Coglianese's case, it was just a corner peaking out on a covered car in a suburban driveway.
That sighting led the muscle car enthusiast to his 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.
“About five years ago, I heard word of a guy in the area who owned both a '67 and '68 Chevelle,” the Prospect Heights resident said. “I already had a '66 GTO but I have to admit, I like Chevelles a little bit better.”
Unable to locate the unknown owner at area cruise nights, Coglianese kept his eyes peeled and while on patrol spied some vintage Chevrolet sheet metal.
“I happened to see him one day and just the front of the '68 was peaking out of his garage,” he said. The smitten police officer struck up a conversation and soon the owner led him into the garage and revealed the second bow tie bruiser.
“Once he peeled back the cover, I asked if he was interested in selling it … and right away he said no.”
Coglianese's determination wasn't for nothing, though, as a month later he was alerted the '67 was indeed for sale — but with “first dibs” going to a family friend. If the deal fell through, the vintage vehicle was his for the taking.
The next day, Coglianese was told the sale didn't materialize.
“I immediately called my wife, Laura, and told her I had found the car of my dreams. Needless to say, she wasn't too happy with the thought of two classic cars parked in the garage and a son in need of college tuition,” Coglianese said.
After a very quick parting with the goat, Coglianese became the proud owner of the pristine SS. It was then he learned this classic had a previous history with a lawman behind the wood-rimmed wheel.
“I found out it was previously bought off a Chicago cop,” he said.
Just three short years prior to its purchase by Coglianese, the intermediate owner had subjected the Chevelle to a full rotisserie overhaul, leaving nothing overlooked or untouched. Under hood, the iconic 396-cubic-inch big block V-8 was left installed and is responsible for 400 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque. The driving experience is aided with the addition of a Hotchkis sport suspension helping to transfer all that earthshaking power.
All the original sheet metal was retained and straightened before a delectable coat of Butternut Yellow was applied.
“It's the factory color and while some may be put off by it, I enjoy the fact that it's different,” Coglianese said.
The most noticeable deviation Coglianese made on the Chevelle was with its rolling stock. “I replaced the original 15-inch wheels with a set of 17-inch chrome Coys wheels. They really add a bit more attitude.”
With patrolman Coglianese still on the beat and in love with his Chevelle, that former owner may want to keep a firm grasp on the keys to his '68.