Sometimes it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the story from the pictures. It’s clear that work on this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle has stopped mid-refurbishment, with parts and tools left haphazardly around the garage, including what I believe is a big-block Chevy engine. It’s located somewhere in Oregon and you can find out where by contacting the folks in the sales listing here on classiccardeals.com. The asking price is $17,995.
It’s clear that the seller was working on repairing the body of the Chevelle when work stopped. There’s a lot of shiny metal and a plethora of new patch panels that have either been mounted or at least positioned for future work. If you take a second look at the engine picture at the top of the post, you’ll see what appear to be new inner wheel wells awaiting installation.
The body appears straight and I’m thinking the trunk lid, hood, and doors have either already been completed or didn’t need any work. The seller tells us that the car had previously been stored in a barn for 20 years and that the plan was to clone an SS 454. That seems a shame with the car being a matching numbers, well-equipped car that already features a big-block 402, Turbo 400 transmission with console shifter and bucket seats. The seller has the build sheet for documentation and points out that the car is also equipped with a tachometer, “all the SS gear”, a 12-bolt rear end, and 2 sets of rally wheels.
The seats already appear to be restored, and the patch panels seem to fit well where they have been clamped in place.
As best as I can tell, the 402 big-block was only offered in “LS3” form in 1971, which was rated at 300 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 400 ft-lb. of torque at 3,200 rpm–pretty impressive numbers! Of course, that’s before the SAE “net” measurement system lowered all quoted power specs, but still impressive. I’m pretty sure you could bury that needle at 120 when the car was new. So what do you think? Would you proceed with the seller’s original plan to clone an SS454 with the new LS6 the seller has ready to go? Or would you sell that engine and use the proceeds to finish off the work that’s been started?
…sell the LS6, bring back to original…that would make the most sense…
If the future for this Chevelle is a “Tribute Clone” I would go ahead and let the LS motor go and replace it with the 396 or in this case a 454 which was factory produced in 1970. When you start moving non era components into a rebuild, that changes the status or category of what you are really seeking to accomplish! Keep it as authentic as possible, that is a Tribute!
the LS6 is a factory motor in 1970….450hp
Another dime a dozen Chevelle
I firmly believe there are more Chevelles and Camaros now, than were originally built, they are probably mating on a farm in Pennsylvania somewhere
ha ha….just like more ss now then came down assembly line!!!
and v8 mustang that were ever built, and 32 fords that were ever built, there more 32 ford registered in cali alone than were ever built
I have no idea if $17,998 is good for what still has to be done. I’d rebuild the 402 and use the 454 in another project but to each their own.