Goodguys names Matt Jewell’s 1970 Chevelle 2026 Forgeline Street Machine of the Year

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association gave its 2026 Forgeline Street Machine of the Year award to Matt Jewell’s 1970 Chevelle during the Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, on July 11. The six-year build by Eddie’s Rod & Custom blends classic Chevelle styling with extensive custom fabrication and more than 1,300 horsepower.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights one of the most heavily modified street machines in Goodguys’ annual Top 12 competition. - The Chevelle shows how high-end restomod builds now combine original-era styling with modern power, braking and suspension hardware. - Goodguys will name seven more vehicles across the rest of the 2026 season to complete its Top 12 of the Year awards program presented by BASF.

What happened: - Goodguys Rod & Custom Association named Matt Jewell’s 1970 Chevelle the 2026 Forgeline Street Machine of the Year. - The award was presented at the Goodguys 28th Summit Racing Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance in Columbus, Ohio, on July 11. - Eddie Pettus and the team at Eddie’s Rod & Custom rebuilt the car after Jewell owned it for more than 30 years.

The details: - The 1970 Chevelle Super Sport kept its Chevrolet heritage but received major body modifications. - The build includes fender extensions, sectioned panels, hand-fabricated bumpers, a custom hood, a custom deck lid and modified roof lines. - The interior blends original styling cues with a custom cabin built using 3D scanning and printing technology and finished in leather by Avante Garde Design. - The original chassis was replaced with a custom Roadster Shop assembly. - The chassis uses coil-overs, Brembo brakes and a cantilever independent rear suspension. - One-off machined wheels support the suspension setup. - Steve Morris Engines built the twin-turbocharged Chevy LS3 engine. - The engine makes more than 1,300 horsepower. - The build took six years from start to finish.

Between the lines: - The award reflects how top street machine builds are judged on both craftsmanship and integration of modern performance systems. - The Chevelle’s combination of classic muscle-car identity and contemporary hardware fits the direction of the highest-end restomod scene. - Goodguys is using the Top 12 awards program to keep attention on multiple vehicle categories through the 2026 season.

What's next: - Goodguys will continue announcing the remaining Top 12 of the Year winners during the 2026 season. - The remaining awards include Snap-on Muscle Car of the Year, Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine, Vintage Air Custom Rod, Truck of the Year Early presented by LMC Truck, Dakota Digital Truck of the Year Late, Scott’s Hot Rods Custom of the Year and the Goodguys’ Most Bitchin’ presented by BASF. - More details about the Chevelle are available on Goodguys Fuel Curve.

The bottom line: - Matt Jewell’s 1970 Chevelle is now Goodguys’ benchmark street machine for 2026, and the build mixes show-car craftsmanship with serious modern performance.