Unlike some of you, Barn Finds readers, I’m not a purist. At least where “plain-jane” variants of popular cars are concerned. That’s why this 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle (or maybe not a Chevelle, see below) listed for sale here on eBay appeals so much to me. For starters, it’s a no-reserve auction that’s only been bid up to an affordable $3,600 as I write. If you end up winning the auction the car will be waiting in Jacksonville, Texas to be picked up.
Sure, there’s some rust in the quarter panels. And yes, that was an aftermarket sunroof you saw if you looked closely enough at the top picture. However, the seller is including a brand new roof panel to replace the holed one. The listing also states that the doors open and close well. I wish there were some under car pictures as well, but perhaps someone nearby can take a look if you are interested.
Here’s where I’m going to deviate from what some of you would like. Eventually, I would like to see some other seats in here rather than the bench. Why? Because I have a bad back and prefer more lumbar support than this seat would give me. And I don’t feel bad about it because this isn’t a special version of the car, and I wouldn’t be surprised if parts of it aren’t original anyway. As a matter of fact, decoding the VIN by this page I learned that this isn’t a Chevelle, it’s a Malibu!
It also originally had a 307 V8 rather than the 350 that the seller says is in there now — and by the way, we’re also told the car runs and drives! This picture is all we have under the hood, but the seller says the air conditioning components are in the trunk. Ultimately this is the kind of blank canvas car that one can have fun with while not breaking the bank (and feeling guilty when you don’t restore it to original specification). Anyone else out there a fan along with me?
Agree 100%. This car has already been modified, so no reason to keep it stock. It’s a great blank canvas for the Chevelle (sorry…MALIBU) build of one’s dreams.
I am not a purest, my chevelle was a basic chevelle malibu 300 deluxe
I was lucky to find a 396 out of a 69 ss car, fresh rebuild, the block was the 350 hp block, they changed the heads to the rectangular ports and put in a bigger solid cam with a torker intake that puts the carb a little side ways, be proud of what you have and most of all have fun with it.
This car could be nothing but fun. Especially since it is affordable. Great beginner’s car.
With the headliner already out, i wonder how hard/expensive it would be to replace the aftermarket sunroof – with metal. I would think a vinyl roof in this case would reduce the cost even more, since with paint, the repair would have to be perfect not to show the repair, while vinyl could hide some “sins”.
Would the lack of such a sunroof increase the value of the car a LOT?
Great project, handy welder can fix that roof cheap. I picked mine up for 5700 on Ebay and built mine the way I like it. Fun year project if you have the desire.
nice Chevelle, wheels & paint look great. good job
Did the chevelle happen to come from New Hampshire?