Buried below all of those bits and pieces is a potentially nice project car that has sat in the same spot for the past 35-years. Barn Finder local_sheriff must have a real eagle-eye because he spotted this beauty for us, so thank you so much for that. Hiding there is a 1969 Chevelle Deluxe 300 Sport Coupe, and while it will need a complete restoration, it looks to be a solid candidate for this. Located in East Haven, Connecticut, the Chevelle is listed for sale here on eBay. The good news is that bidding has so far only reached $2,226 in what is a No Reserve auction.
When it was new, the Chevelle wore the very attractive Glacier Blue paint. This has been changed at some point in the past, and while it probably seemed like a good idea at the time, I can’t help but think just how much nicer the car must have looked in that original shade. The Chevelle appears to be essentially quite solid, and the worst of the rust seems to be confined to the driver’s side of the vehicle. There is some rust in both the front and rear floors on that side, although it isn’t particularly bad. There is also some rust visible in the lower quarter panel and lower fender on the same side. There is some rust showing on the passenger side, but it is actually quite minor, which is pretty good news. The rest of the car looks to be quite good, with only surface corrosion to be addressed.
The interior is a different matter, because not only has the Medium Blue trim seen better days, but the Chevelle has been the home for a family of mice for an extended period of time. I’m glad that we can’t smell the inside of the car because I doubt that it would be pleasant. The dash itself looks okay, although the original radio is missing. However, the next owner will be essentially starting from scratch inside the car, and they will also need to eliminate the distinctive odor of mouse that will be present. This may entail replacing the seat padding to achieve this.
Under the hood of the Chevelle used to be the home of the 250ci Turbo-Thrift 6-cylinder engine. This and the original transmission went many years ago, although the original 10-bolt rear end is still present. In place of the original engine and transmission, we now find a 1968 Camaro MA-Code 327ci V8, and a Turbo 350 transmission. After sitting for so many decades, the owner filled the cylinder with oil when the car was dragged out of hiding. He then changed the oil and filter, primed the oil pump, and that mighty 327 kicked back into life. He says that it sounds nice and healthy, with little smoke. After a bit more work, the car not only runs, but it moves under its own power. It will obviously need more work before it is ready for the road, not the least of which is to get the brakes working.
The Chevelle remains a popular choice amongst Bow-Tie enthusiasts on the hunt for a project car. This one looks like it is a pretty reasonable prospect for restoration, and since it is no longer a numbers-matching car, it gives the next owner plenty of options to consider without having to worry about modifying a potentially valuable original classic. Bidding hasn’t been quite as strong as I would have expected, so this might be a great car to watch because the buyer might be able to secure it at a pretty reasonable price.
It’s rough. The bondo is really thick on the passenger side quarter panel, see picture #7, it makes you wonder how much rust has been previously “fixed”. It’s a stripped down model that’s rare because nobody ordered them, that alone doesn’t make it desirable. This car needs everything, I’d be surprised if it gets much above $4,000.
Steve R
Damn! This really gets my blood pressure up! The first new car I had was a ‘69 300 coupe. Right down to the dog dish hubcaps. Mine was a six (230) and 3 speed manual and if this ever headed my way I would try very hard to put a six back in it. I just sold two old cars; I wonder if my wife would notice….
Bidding now at $2,700.00. Creeping. But, I’m not surprised, what with all the work that needs doing. I like the engine swap. But, to me, that’s the only good thing I see. Even with the low bids, there is too much for this old man to tackle. Pass.
Steve R,
One of my favorite sayings is:
Often times the reason something is rare, is due to the fact that few people bought one when new, or wanted one as a used version, and even today no one wants it!
For this reason and more, rarity does not equate to value. It’s often the opposite!
Being a Framingham Massachusetts built car there’s a good chance it’s never been out of New England. He’s letting the market set the price. I hope it doesn’t just go to a flipper.
I have never understood people commenting on BF with such hatred for people who flip cars. What’s wrong with being a flipper? I’ve flipped a lot of cars, and most times they go to people who are actually going to do something with them, not just park it in a garage and dump trash all over it. I’m not ashamed to buy a car and sell it for a profit. It’s called capitalism and it’s part of what makes this country the best on the planet!
Because I’d rather see it go to someone who will want it for more than just an object to make money on. Someone who will use it to teach their kids about cars and how to work on them. Someone who will pass on the knowledge and share great times with their children and grandchildren. Make it into a family heirloom they can look at and remember the times spent together.
Not someone who wants to make a quick buck with no regard for what it could be.
TJohnson & JW454,
For 50 years I’ve been flipping and SAVING cars that would have likely been sent to the crusher.
I’ve found cars sitting in garages, neglected for decades, and the heirs or the attorneys are ready to send them to the junk man, or the junk man contacts me with the car after he’s been told to take it away.
JW454 – You say “Someone who will use it to teach their kids about cars and how to work on them. Someone who will pass on the knowledge and share great times with their children and grandchildren. Make it into a family heirloom they can look at and remember the times spent together.”
Many people I know in the “business” of flipping cars really do some of the things you mention. I helped many a teen boy become interested in vintage cars & trucks, and start the road towards a career as a mechanic.
I also changed a vehicle from being a non-runner, ready for the crusher, to a vehicle that ran but needed more work, into a car I could then SELL [or shall we say I found a new caretaker for the vehicle] to a family who could THEN begin the creation of a great vehicle to be treasured and passed down in the family.
Most guys I know who buy & sell vehicles quickly, doing so out of their home or garage, do it FIRST out a love and devotion to older vehicles, and an additional way to make a living, “Not someone who wants to make a quick buck with no regard for what it could be.”
It’s already in the hands of a flipper.
Very good point!
Man, I thought my garage was a bit untidy…I’m looking pretty good right about now!
geomechs, really? Nobody wants to go slower. Unless you want to swap a BMW six into it…
Lowriders like to go slower, Skorzeny. Slow is cool, man.
Bob
Oh, I like going fast too. But when I had my Chevelle I learned to appreciate a six. When I bought my car, I knew I couldn’t afford to keep an SS396 and the Malibu with a 350 was tempting. They had a 300 4-door with a 307. If that engine would’ve been in the coupe it would’ve been a no-brainer. I had to walk by the six-banger many times before I actually bit the bullet. I might add that I took a lot of ribbing when I showed up in my hick town. I did a couple of real good smoke shows where I had those 7.75×14 2-ply tires lit up before anyone took me seriously.
What the heck is it with cars backwards on trailers. That never ends well. Is this a red neck speed secret? Morley
That car was winched out of that garage is my guess.
Great car to get!! Man I’m going to give it a try!!
Rex; your story explains why many of us (me included) don’t like flippers. One thing is buying a car for personal use, improving it while he/she enjoys the ride and selling it later.
The issue as I see it is there seems to be people snooping up old folks’ vehicles, buy it for pocket change to ‘take off their burden’ without any intention of keeping it (maybe even lie to them claiming this is a car he/she has always wanted!), for then to advertise it same day for maybe 1000s more than what it cost. And the only thing they’ve done to it is filling air in the tires!
The way I see it that’s close to theft and it only contributes to maximize the price on cars that are already increasing in value. I see it as a very shameful activity
Taking advantage of someone in any situation is unacceptable behavior. With that said I have never come across a situation described above, where some little old lady is selling her late husband’s classic for pennies on the dollar. 90 percent of the time it boils down to somebody thinking there car is worth 10 times more than it actually is. The cars that I bought from people who have had them for years, most needing complete restoration, a lot of times tell me they paid little to nothing for it years ago and can’t believe how much they just sold it for. Case in point, I bought a 56 Chevy 210 2dr sedan with factory a/c from a guy who parked it in that same spot in 1964. He paid $450 for it in 1961. I paid $3750 for it and sold it for $7900. The car has since underwent a complete restoration and looks beautiful. That is not theft Local Sheriff!! Do I feel bad about it, hell no!! If I had not come around it would still be rotting in the same spot. As for JW454, those cars sold by a flipper for a profit, are almost always the best thing for the car. I don’t know what you do for a living, but I guarantee it is something that results in a profit. This is capitalism, if you don’t like it try moving to Venezuela, where the government has leveled the playing field, and everyone makes nothing!
The pictured is ” not a 300 deluxe”. This is a 2dr hard top, I am a former owner of a 1969 SS 396 300 deluxe, which I bought in 1969.