The second generation (1968 to 1972) of the Chevrolet Chevelle was a big seller. Especially the Super Sport editions that were hot during muscle car mania. Because documentation is required to tell a true SS from a clone, these are also popular cars to clone (standard Chevelle to a Super Sport). The seller has a 1972 Chevelle roller, probably a Malibu, which looks like a perfect candidate for duplicating, if the budget is there. Located on the back of a trailer in Everett, Washington, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $9,500 OBO. Thanks for this tip, “Curvette”.
Second-gen Chevelles ended in 1972, and those cars were little-changed over the 1971s since an all-new design (Colonnade) was coming in 1973. 297,600 Chevelles built in 1972 were Malibu Sport Coupes with a V8 engine, while just under 25,000 copies were factory-equipped Super Sports. So that leaves a huge population of Chevelles that could be bought like the seller’s car for a later SS transformation (assuming they weren’t already in the junkyard).
There is no known build sheet for this 1972 Chevelle, so how it was powered when new is an unknown. Perhaps a 350 V8 and a TH-350 automatic transmission once lived under the hood. So, a period-correct 350, 396 (402), or 454 could be installed if you want it to be as accurate as possible. There are no photos of the interior, so we don’t know if one is even there. Assuming it is, a black bench seat set-up is likely.
The seller says the car is mostly rust-free, from living much of its time in a garage and out of the elements. That’s especially important as the back glass is gone, exposing the interior to whatever. The sheet metal isn’t all beat-up and should be solid to work with in a restoration. We’re told a pile of parts will come with the car, either coming from the vehicle or from elsewhere. If you’ve been wanting to build a ’72 Chevelle SS clone, would you start with this one?
This car is way overpriced. There is significant rust visible behind the rear wheels on both quarter panels, it’s missing the drivetrain, there are no pictures of the interior, engine compartment, dash, undercarriage the area around the rear window and trunk. A decent driver 1972 Chevelle should cost mid-teens and a nice one needing nothing, high-teens. The 1972 Chevelle’s SS doesn’t carry a price close to that of a 1970 or earlier, plus the VIN designates which engine originally came installed. Building a clone is expensive, most people want bucket seats, console, floor shift column, tach and gauges, 12 bolt, big block, 4 speed and the requisite SS hood, if someone took the time price out those items it would cost thousands of dollars, in used condition prior to refurbishing.
This car makes no sense as a project, a patient and persistent potential buyer can and will do much better if they keep looking.
Steve R
made a lot of 6 banges and this year is not as popular as the 70 was and I bit over priced in my book maybe 3k tops if its not all rusted out
Please god no. But you know the market will say yes.
My favorite Chevelle will always be the ’69. And I saw so many SS 396s that I was actually getting tired of them. I had a 300 2-Door coupe with a 230 six and three-speed. It got me everywhere I wanted to go and brought me back.
Oh, I took a lot of teasing because of that “Granny” engine under the hood but I loved it just the same. Be it a bit of drinking my own bath water or some stupid thing to make me sell it and buy a Toyota pickup (still to this day the WORST Pos I ever owned). I’ve hunted and hunted but I’m sure that all 2-Doors, whether they were a 300 or a Mailbu got the SS treatment and were called numbers-matching…
At a more realistic price someone with deep pockets could bring it back. Good candidate for a restomod.
way too much for what here. i feel it’s a 3500.00 roller.