With its combination of patina, primer, mismatched paint, and likely replaced front fenders, this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle might initially be considered a hard pass for those looking for a solid project. However, once you get down to the frame, the seller describes the condition as the best he’s ever seen, so hopefully, much of the metal effort needed here will be relegated to the body. Right now, the high bid is at $1,050 with no reserve, so if the competition doesn’t go haywire, perhaps the next owner will have some cash left to make all the needed repairs here. This Chevy is located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and can be viewed here on eBay.
The owner believes his Chevelle was originally equipped with the somewhat confusing 402-billed engine, so if that checks out, this would be a positive if it were still under the hood. One of the fenders has a 350 emblem, but keep in mind that’s probably not the original panel. Unfortunately, this one’s a roller, with both the motor and transmission long gone, so it would be a blessing if the buyer happens to have a decent Chevy engine of some sort lying around his garage needing a home. I’m uncertain about the rear end here, as it’s got a single bolt at the bottom, and I thought the big blocks from this era came from the factory with a 12-bolt component. Maybe one of our readers can confirm or deny this.
While most of the body could stand a good smoothing out and a few repairs, the biggest area of concern is the passenger side quarter. Upon first glance, it looks like rust may be the major culprit here. However, the seller thinks what happened was a tire blowout, with a previous owner just cutting the damaged metal away. Hopefully, many of the other panels will be salvageable, but a replacement trunk lid might be a worthwhile investment, considering the amount of corrosion on the bottom side. The headlights, grille, and trim pieces for the front fenders are missing, so these items will need to be sourced as well.
We don’t get to view a panned-out photo of the entire interior, but based on the individual pictures, quite a few parts are missing, and most of what’s still there looks like it will need some attention. The inside floor areas aren’t exactly eye candy, but fortunately, the bottom section appears better, so hopefully that’s just surface rust on the top floorboards. There’s a lot of work to be done here, but if the cost is low enough, maybe this one could become a worthwhile project. What’s a fair price to pay for this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle in its present condition?
Hard pass. No evidence it was a factory big block, no title, gives off a vide that it was previously used as a parts car. This will nickel and dime anyone that tries to piece it together and put it back on the road.
Steve R
That damage could well have occurred during a simple tire change. All it would take is your left forearm to rub on the fender there.
My remark was sarcasm, ‘the lowest form of humor’. I don’t agree, because slapstick is lower, and then there is…not going there.
About GM’s 402, fact is they were factory repaired 396 cases bored oversized to save GM from scrapping them. Marketing offered it as another big block. My dad told me about this back in the day when I was 11.my dad was a toolsetter at the Tonawanda engine plant and worked on all those machine lines that were a city block long. 3 shifts going 24/7 hundreds plus cases were saved I was there for the open houses I read the monthly solidarity bulletin I got into it all at 5 yrs old Iam retired tool & die, mold maker. Built industrial tooling for GM, Keller, ton. Engine plant Gemcor, ford, Harrison Radiator,Tonawanda forge, Delaven Axle,JH Williams, TRW, Borg Worner, moog,Homet, Lockheed Martin, Delphi. Gota stop drag racing is on anyway my two cents, Rich.
Starting in 1970 all “396’s” were overbored by .030 to 402cid, that was 10’s of thousands per year. GM didn’t officially call it a 402 because they had years of marketing behind the 396 and it made little sense to throw that past effort away to rebrand the engine for a mere 6cid increase in displacement.
Steve R
I’d say the present bid is about right..
It will take a lot of money and time to try and restore this one.
If it was a big block car, it would most likely be an SS. Considering it has a Malibu dash, the first thing swapped when cloning, tells me its just a base model Malibu. Posi? Boxed control arms? Big block steering shaft? And those are just the most obvious.
There were non-SS big blocks offered from 1970-1972, they had the sweeping speedometer, unless optional tach/gauges were ordered, base “flat” hood and used 400 fender emblems. The engine used was the LS3 and was available across the line up, 2drs, 4drs, wagons, El Caminos and convertibles. Many have been cloned or parted out, but they do exist. Most Chevelle oriented forums have information about them.
Steve R
Steve,
Agreed. That’s why I said “most likely”. But the other indicators I mentioned should help tell the tale.
I could perhaps swallow the seller’s theory about a tire damaging the right quarter panel if the left wheel opening weren’t jacked up as well.
This is a parts car. Wrong steering wheel but the dash around the radio is not cut up and the rockers and floor pans look ok
The 402 was not badged or advertised for insurance reasons….this is yard art…if you dare.
no title no way. there really aren’t any worthy parts either. yard art?
I’d cry if it was crushed!!!!
Let’s see, Malibu dash, Malibu rear end, Non power brakes, Malibu drum brakes in front, Malibu back bumper. If someone wants to clone this ”Super Sport” into a Malibu, here is your chance. Many of the important Malibu parts have already been added. Malibu cloners need to jump on this.
I owned a Chevelle with a 468 it had good pieces throughout Iif I remember right it dynoed close to 600 HP with a 4 speed lots of HP but big car and I never really cared for it I sold it in a year.
Sold on 4/30/2025 for a high bid of $3,050.
Steve R