Not many guys get a second chance with a lost love.

But Dale Skidmore did.

When Skidmore was still in high school, his dad Ron hooked him up with a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle.

“I got it when I was sophomore in high school,” he said. “It was all stock, with a 307 (cubic-inch engine) and the single exhaust.”

Skidmore tooled around in the Chevelle throughout high school and sold the car right after graduation.

He moved on to other automotive projects, including a souped up Chevy truck.

Ten years later, the Chevelle reappeared in Skidmore’s life.

“The guy I sold it to liked the truck I had,” Skidmore said. “So I told him he could have it for some cash and the Chevelle back.”

Soon the Chevelle found itself back in the Skidmore’s garage.

Reunited, Skidmore decided to take a new tack with the car, starting from scratch to convert the car into a real “Muscle Machine.”

“I just wanted big everything,” he said. “I collect the Muscle Machines (die cast cars with exaggerated features) and I wanted it like that. Big wheels. Big hood. Big engine.”

After a couple of years of work and about $25,000 cash, Skidmore’s vision was realized.

Now the car, painted a pale blue-gray with hideaway flames, bears little resemblance to his high school sweetheart.

The cars sits close to the ground, boasts fat rubber all around, and has an enormous hood scoop feeding air to a beastly 454-cubic-inch engine.

Skidmore said he’s not exactly sure just how fast the car is, but that’s okay because it’s built for the street not the drag strip.

“I wouldn’t want to blow it up at the strip,” he said. “I’d rather blow it up on the street.”

This weekend Skidmore’s ‘69 Chevelle will be among the more than 2,000 cars on display at the 21st Annual Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals Hot Rod and Custom Car Show at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center. It’s the third year in a row he’s shown the car.

Normally reserved for older hot rods, the Goodguys Show recently expanded to include muscle cars up to 1972 – which allowed Skidmore to show off the car.

“They loved it,” he said. “The first year I showed it, it made their magazine for the show,” Skidmore said. “The younger people appreciate it because it’s wild. Some of the older people think I’ve gone too far.”

The Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals, featuring more than 2,000 pre-1972 hot rods, customs and classics, begins 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25 at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center. The show continues from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 27. Admission is $17 for adults, $6 for children 7 to 10. Kids 6 years old and younger are free. Parking is free. For more information visit www.goodguys.com.

Sumner Reporter Editor Shawn Skager can be reached at sskager@sumnerreporter.com or 253-826-3260 ext. 5050.