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Big Block Bruiser? 1972 Chevelle SS 454

Said to be a real-deal 454 Chevelle Super Sport, this 1972 version needs a bit of help to return it to its former glory. Currently located in Fort Lupton, Colorado, listed for sale here on eBay with an opening bid price of $5,000. The ad makes some pretty impressive claims including a lot of original, numbers matching parts. If all the details in the ad are true, this car should easily find a new home.

As you can tell from the first picture and the nose-up stance, the engine and transmission have been removed. The ad says the engine is the numbers matching 454 cid and the transmission is a Turbo 400. The sale price is also includes the following: correct intake manifold, cylinder heads, carb, exhaust manifolds and valve covers. The interior is really dusty and crusty. It’s hard to tell how much is salvageable.

There is a bit of rust around the wheel openings and some near the trunk. Otherwise from the limited pictures, the body seems fairly solid. As long as there aren’t major rust issues with the frame or body, this seems like a fairly straight forward project. Engine and transmission freshened up and reinstalled. Interior cleaned up. Fresh paint and this has the potential to be a really nice and fun muscle car.

Comments

  1. Avatar 4.0 2005 mutstang

    My father had a 69 ss 396 sitting behind the house for 20 year’s he had a 70s 454 motor in the garage along with tons of holly carbs and parts by the truck load. Amazing the car had little rust and the interior was in fair condition. I wanted it but he fell into financial burden and the hole bundle was sold for 10 grand all numbers matched and the car was gone except for the impression in the blacktop were the rims left indents lol . these are the grandfather’s of race cars today’s.

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  2. Avatar Steve R

    The seller is correct. Chevrolet incorporated the engine size into the VIN in 1972, W is the letter designation for the 454 and the 454 was only available with an SS. So yes, this is a factory big block SS. The seller would need to provide pictures of the VIN stamped into the engine pad as evidence it’s matching numbers.

    This will find a new home since it is a no-reserve auction with a reasonable, for a true SS 454, opening bid.

    Steve R

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    • Avatar Sal Monelli

      Yes..In 1972 finally incorporated the engine code in the VIN, removing any doubt of a car’s authenticity … Too bad they hadn’t done this a few years earlier…. my guess is we would have a whole lot fewer “real” 1970 LS-6 Chevelles !!’

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  3. Avatar 68custom

    Lot of work to restore this one but worthy of restoration since it is a factory 454 and a 72 which is surely fairly rare. You could get the SS package with a 307 for 72 if I am not mistaken and I have seen very few big block 72s. what happened to the interior though? looks like it was in a flood? good luck to the next owner.

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    • Avatar Rabbit

      I believe the base SS motor was a 350/4bbl. However…..the infamous Heavy Chevy came base with a 307. All the package guaranteed you was a V8 & the ugly color-keyed 6-hole wheels, plus the graphics package. Mine was a 307 PG. All looks, no go.

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  4. Avatar Dan

    Pretty sure a 350 was the smallest engine you could get with the SS package in 1972…

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    • Avatar DR Member

      Unfortunately a 307 2bbl could be had in a SS Chevelle in 1972.

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  5. Avatar GSCHEVY

    Well I suppose it’s a starting point.
    Attached is my 72 that I factory ordered new.
    It was an LS5, four speed, bench seat with cowl induction. Sold it to get married to wife #1. Should have kept the car :-)

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    • Avatar Nick

      Dude, what were you thinking ????

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    • Avatar Kelly Waldrop

      I can relate. Had an LS6. Sold to brother in law(her side of family) for 1800. Never did collect all the money.

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    • Avatar Richey Kerr

      Still have my first wife and my Chevelle, hoping to keep both, wish me luck!if I have to give up one or the other you can guess what my choice one don’t complain and ready to be driven at any time. Tried to keep this clean ☺

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    • Avatar Mike

      I’m with you there’s nothing like the dude with the power

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  6. Avatar Joe h

    In 1967 I was 12, when the Camaro appeared a switch flipped and I became a car guy. In 1975 I started looking for a 4 speed Camaro SS. Prices were high and ended up with a 69 SS Chevelle. Two years later I bought a Camaro and didn’t like it, sold it and got another Chevelle. I love the looks of the Camaro but I’d rather drive a Chevelle!

    Like 0

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