There is no doubt that some barn finds are better than others, with some vehicles being more desirable than others. When it does come to the question of desirability, this 1972 Chevelle SS 454 would have to rate somewhere towards the top end of the scale. It appears to be an essentially complete and unmolested vehicle, and the owner states that it has very little rust. It will still require a full restoration, but once this work has been completed, the end result will be a very potent classic that is sure to grab plenty of attention wherever it goes. Located in Corinth, Kentucky, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on Facebook. The asking price has been set at $29,000, although the owner may entertain the idea of a trade.
The Chevelle is finished in Cranberry Red, and there is some evidence to suggest that it was also originally fitted with a vinyl top. Vehicles finished in Cranberry were only available with vinyl in either black or white, but given the color of the interior trim, I tend to think that this car probably wore white. There is some slight rust visible in the supplied photos, but given the quality of these photos, it is difficult to draw a firm conclusion on just how extensive this might be. The owner does state that the Chevelle has little rust, which does give us cause to be at least cautiously optimistic. This vehicle is 1-of-3,659 Chevelles to roll off the production line in 1972 fitted with the cowl induction hood, and it appears that this might be complete. Under the layer of dust, we can see that the car is fitted with tinted glass, and this all looks like it might be in good condition.
Under the hood of the SS, we find the awesome 454ci V8 engine, along with a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 270hp available under the driver’s right foot, the Chevelle was a car that could certainly get up and moving. A 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds was pretty respectable, but a ¼ mile ET of 15 seconds was probably more indicative of the car’s true potential. In standard form, it would tend to run out of legs at around the 100mph mark, but it certainly got there pretty quickly. The good news here is that the 454 does run. It isn’t clear how long the vehicle has been inactive for, but if the rust issues are of a minor nature, it might just be possible to return the SS to active duty fairly easily, with the restoration work being undertaken as time and circumstances allow.
The pleasant surprises continue when we move inside the Chevelle. White upholstery, bucket seats, a console, and air conditioning, all combine to make for a pretty pleasant environment. It looks like the front seats will require new covers, but the rest of the interior trim and upholstery looks like it might respond well to a good clean. The dash is original and in good condition, and apart from the front seat covers, the only other interior item that might require serious attention is the carpet. It’s hard to see its overall condition, but I do believe that it is starting to look a bit worn in spots. Still, if that’s all that requires attention, whipping the interior into shape could be a pretty inexpensive undertaking.
I doubt that many of our Barn Finds readers need me to tell them just how popular the Chevelle SS 454 is. These are a firm favorite amongst classic car enthusiasts, and values have tended to hold very firm in recent times. A good original example will easily command a value of $45,000, while a pristine example with the cowl induction can push that figure past $65,000. As a project car, this isn’t a particularly cheap buy, but if it is as solid, clean, and original as the owner would seem to suggest, it could be a fairly straightforward restoration project. That makes it well worth considering if you are after something a bit special.
I guess I don’t have to put any effort at all into getting good photographs on anything I might want to sell. At least if it is considered desirable by a chunk of the target audience. Just snap a couple of mediocre ones, put it out there for big $$$. My reaction is that this is likely a bondomobile done up some time back, with the plastic filler covered by a cheapo paint job.
I take issue with the concept of this car running out of steam about the time it reaches triple digits on the speedo. My ’69 car would pull until the speedometer was buried, took about half a mile to get there. Recognizing that while the power-strangling emissions regulations were taking hold, this was still a big engine in a medium-sized chassis.
It’s the Tinder rule. If the photos are taken too close up, you know there are issues.
Just glad to see the Quadrajet still attached.
I don’t have to sell so no low ballers. You don’t find them very often in this condition. What condition, you cant tell by the lousy pics. Personal message gets a phone number, or an audience with the pope. Guy sounds like a d*ck. Might expect this from somebody on facebook marketplace, trying to sell a car for 29 large. Among other things it had a vinyl top so look for roof rot. I’d say look at the car and make an offer but you may be wasting your time. SMFH.
Cheers
GPC
So riddle me this, Batman. Can anyone explain why someone selling a car for thousands of dollars cannot put forth the effort to move the thing outside to take some useful photos? It remains an enduring mystery, along with not removing the boxes of junk in/on the car, or the would be flipper who shoots all his pictures with the car on his rented trailer. Most peculiar.
IMO the collar for the air cleaner doesn’t look like a quadrajet to me.
That is a Q-Jet. What you see on top of it is a round spacer that came on all 70-72 Chevelle SS’s when the cowl induction hood was ordered. It’s there to raise the air cleaner up to mate to the hole in the hood.
Help Please:
So just for the sake of a insurance appraisal value as my father the owner I don’t agree on a solid price to value it for insurance. Also this Is not and will not be for sale now or hopefully never leaving family.
What would a all original 1970 SS396 Cortez Silver black stripes, Cowl induction, protecto plate, original bill of sale and any parts purchased documented demand in value in today’s market? Original paint, original interior, Factory Bench Seat 4spd all documented since new. All the nice bells and whistles when it comes to driveline. Winner 2 years in a row at Detroit Auto Show for Most Original Muscle Car. Original spare tire in trunk. Can’t remember mileage and have currently owned for last 30 years.
Any thoughts and please remove if against posting rules.
Unfortunately photo not supported but paint is shiny, clean with very little paint Issues only on top of fender creases showing thin. If website moderator wants picture to show he can contact me.
I did appraisals of a category of personal property (not cars) for many years, with education, certifications, equipment, and experience to back up my opinion. I charged for it. Insurance companies were happy, as their risk was well-defined.
There are people who specialize in market-based evaluations of special-interest and collector cars. Often, they have significant experience in judging the originality/correctness of one or more marques as an additional skill.
Find several, then choose one based on what you can determine about the individual’s or company’s capability. I’d want to see a sample report. IMO, to document a car properly, the written description should be very detailed, and have plenty of supporting photographs as well.
Worth every penny you spend. Then shop for insurance which will properly cover you in case of a partial or total loss. Make sure that any policy includes a description of covered activities. If a car is totaled at a strip, and that was not specifically allowed, don’t expect a dime.
As far as seeking opinions here about value… you get what you pay for!
You can just use stated value insurance. It’s easy, no research, no Mumbo Jumbo. JC Taylor and Hagerty do this routinely. Make up your value and send them a check. Done.
Go to Hagerty website. Their value guide will give you a reasonable value range for yourvehicle. It takes into account car’s condition. If you need more than that, heed @Daydreambeliver ‘s advice.
Thanks for the help guys. I went on to Haggerty site and lit looks like there are 4 levels. I printed in off for dad but feel his is at the top of the range. So to be more than fair it would fall between Concours and excellent condition. Car his 100% original and no body parts ever removed so body lines factory, no rust top bottom or underside of car. Not even surface rust under floor boards. Interior is original with no stains tears or holes drilled in any interior panels. Original radio etc. engine compartment clean as new and everything in place. Can judge colors being mismatched as its all original. Haggerty puts this is a range of “Good” at 63k average “Excellent” at 79k and “Concours” at 98k
Now I know that some will say it can’t be a Excellent to Concours but it’s a Super Nice Survivor of which has won every show it has been placed in up until he got bored with going. My guess is 75-80k for insurance purposes.
Not a fan of poorly shown Chevelles or their lazy owners. 29k is TV money which we all know is BS. Don’t like to be harsh but this is a silly listing and belongs on Fakebook!
If it runs, why not pull it outside, wash it, and take some decent pics? I’m not paying extra for you barn dust bro…
No way a 72 with diminished horsepower will command that kind of money. As previous comment stated that is TV money which we all know is bull. It looks like a 10K car.
Here’s my two cents: there are just as many jerk buyers as there are jerk sellers. The most recent buyer was someone who super-low-balled my clean 2006 Ranger, saying that he was trying to save-up for the car, hoping that it would still be available (I think he offered $2800 and my firm and posted as such sell price was $6,000). He needed a car for work he said, and he really, really wanted that Ranger, so I went along—“Ah man, I just sold my 2002 Trailblazer for $2500–it would have been great for you, and in your price range! (True story). A week later, he had saved another $1K and so he is up to $3800. I replied: “Wow, you saved another grand in a week…at that rate, in 2-3 weeks you will be there!” (at $6,000). The following week, he had saved another $700, and I replied, “ I am so sorry, but you know the price.” I did not hear from him the next week (I wonder why?)…but I sold the truck for my asking price that week…So, my point being, it is not just sellers who are a problem.
A 1972 with ac is basically a sled. Prices are dropping unless you have a mint restored 100%
example or an excellent condition low mileage original.
After viewing numerous adds and considering we all need a good laugh, I have compiled a list of rules for posting an add. And yes I’m being a bit sarcastic!
1. Be as vague as possible ie. Vehicle for sale.
2. Take as many photos in the dark as possible.
3. Never show the entire vehicle in the shot.
4. Make the buyer aware that you are not serious with statements like, “Just testing the waters.” or “Trade only!”
5. Try to complicate the buying process by requiring Pay Pal or a certified check on the Bank of England or better still ask for payment in gold coins.
6. Be sure to state that you don’t have the title but your brother in law’s mother knows a neighbor whose cousin has it and that it won’t be any problem.
7. Show photos at “odd” angles ie. upside down, sideways, or a shot from a tall building. Better still are out of focus photos.
8. Leave a phone number but explain that you are selling it for a friend.
9. Have a human interest story to “enhance” vehicle interest ie. It was my grandmother’s second car and she only used it to go to bingo on Friday nights!
10. Show what the car could look like after the buyer has spent his life savings restoring it!
Hope you all enjoyed this list-I’m sure you can add some more to it!!!
As to you guys and value. Price guides are that. Just price guides. It is only worth what someone is willing to pay. I was the editor of Hemmings Muscle Machines in 2005, when anything with a Hemi was bringing $500,000 and up at Mecum and BJ. I also was in charge of doing our price guide. Ton of work and nothing but complaints from muscle car owners on value of their cars. We even ran a disclaimer on how we reached out numbers and emphasized it was a guide. This guy is so full.of BS with this common A body car. For 29 K, I can buy a 70 Corvette with a 350 hp small block and have changed left over. Vinyl top car. No thanks. Had a 70 GTO with a vinyl top from southern California in the 80s. Still had rust under that roof. A bodies leak.
Well let’s start from the top, it’s not a 70 or 71, so hp is compromised according to legend, Chevy might have been lying about hp #s to escape Ralph Nader and the boys, but legend sez it’s not worthy of the crown, the market rite now is not something to gamble with on a car that’s probably worth 40 all dressed up, and I mean perfect, so how much is this thing worth, maybe 18,000, wanna be generous and say 20
There really was only one version of the 454 in a Chevelle that really got it on to the point of becoming a legend beyond just Chevy people.
The ’70 LS 6. The one rated at 450 horsepower. The LS 5? Not even in the same league as far as I’m concerned. Only made 4500 plus of the LS 6, more than the lower powered model which was unusual, but Everybody who’s into cars knows them. This ’72 version, for me anyways, rides on the coat tails so to speak of the big dog LS 6 from ’70. Still a cool car though.