For many, 1971 was the last year for the true muscle car. Rising insurance costs and increasing emphasis on lower emissions were starting to take their toll. The Super Sport was no longer a series of its own, but an option you could order with the Malibu. The seller believes this ’71 Malibu is a true SS 454 but it’s hard to verify one of these without a build sheet and the one with this car is almost unreadable. This Chevy is a project that didn’t get finished before the owner passed away. It’s available in Gentry, Arkansas, and here on eBay where the Buy It Now price is $12,000 (or Make Offer).
Apparently, the previous owner began a frame-off restoration as the body was separated from the chassis. That frame may have been sent off to be renewed and never came back. So, what’s there now sits unconnected on a good Chevelle frame that’s said to be rust-free. The buyer will likely opt for new suspension and brake components as what’s there (drum brakes, 10-bolt rear-end) doesn’t jive with what’s left of the build sheet.
In 1971, if you wanted a Super Sport, you checked RPO Z15 off the order sheet just as 19,293 folks did. That got you the 402 (aka 396) cubic inch V8 or the 454 big-block (which found its way into 9,502 of the cars). Though the fender script indicates this was an SS 454 car, that’s not hard to duplicate. But both the engine and Turbo-Hydramatic that were in this car have long since flown the coop. The automobile was purchased new in Texas, the seller bought it in Oklahoma, and the license plate reads Florida, so this Chevy has been all over the South.
When new, this Chevrolet was finished in Cranberry Red with a white vinyl top and Saddle Tan interior. The machine has received at least one repaint with white stripes and the vinyl top was removed years ago. The interior has changed colors to black and the seats look to be in surprisingly good condition. The windshield is MIA, but the rest of the glass is still there. The trunk is full of parts, including some A/C equipment and one SS wheel. The car rolls on tires mounted to 1970-era Rally wheels.
If it helps, the seller will throw in a 396 engine block and heads (circa 1970) along with a TH-400 transmission and driveshaft. But if you’re going to restore this car as an SS 454, at least the engine will end up being excess baggage. It’s not uncommon for premium versions of a real SS 454 to fetch close to six figures, but this one is going to take a lot of time and budget to even get close.
Car is no longer the great SS that left the factory. Minus motor , transmission, differential and frame what’s left? Build a clone sorry bad word tribute.
71 is the best looking of all the shovels in my opinion, 68 being second. this thing is begging for a 572, a 4l80e, and a 9inch. cranberry red with black stripes and american racing slot mags.
I was thinking a 427, an M-22, a 12-Bolt Posi, Primer, and some Cragars.
572, your choice of manual transmission, tuxedo black and no stripes. I agree on the 9″ and slot mags though.
71 was already on the down hill side for muscle cars. 70 was the high water year.
It would be red with white stripes, white interior 454, 400 automatic with air,
It SCREAMS Fake SS to me. When you have been around these cars and owned many of them….fakes and REAL ones….you can just spot certain things about one. The fender emblem pic shows holes that were not factory punched…and it also has what’s left of sticky stuff that held a 454 emblem on the fender…which tells me it was an after market emblem. It’s Dash appears to have been out of a late 1972 that once had the seat belt light beside the lighter…it’s been drilled out with a big hole now…which is what many folks does to hide the fact that it came out of a late 1972 vehicle. They usually install some sort of gauge in that spot. I’ve seen this done many times thru the last 45 years. That headlight switch doesn’t look correct to me either…that’s usually a dead give away also that it’s Dash has been swapped out. Those A51 Bucket Seats are not correct patterns for a 71-72…they appear to be from a Monte Carlo if you look closely at them. I say it’s a WannaBe SS…does it have potential?? Of course it does…after all it’s a CHEVELLE :-) …bring it back to life and just enjoy it as much as possible….regardless if it’s a REAL Super Sport or not. I think it was “cloned” back in the 1970’s or early 80’s…but we all have an opinion don’t we LOL.