Chevrolet treated the 1971 Chevelle to a styling refresh, its third since a redesign of the A-body intermediate in 1968. Gone were the dual headlights the Chevelle had carried from Day 1, replaced by large, singular peepers on each side. Chevy built early 190,000 Malibu Sport Coupes with a V8 in 1971 (a decline from the year before), much like the seller’s faded survivor. Located in Spokane, Washington, this “cream puff” (the seller’s words, not mine) is available here on craigslist for a dollar shy of $20,000, and is a tip brought to us by “Curvette”.
Based on the seller’s enthusiastic description and a plethora of photos, this Chevy may be one of the most rust-free examples left out there. And not restored. The light green paint no longer has a shine, and we’re not sure about the mildly contrasting vinyl top. The interior is black, and the pics are only of the nice door panels, but we’re told the seats need to be redone, along with other stuff. The indicated 74,000 miles are no doubt right on.
We’re told the 350 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel?) runs and is flanked by a functional TH-350 automatic transmission. The car has power steering and brakes, as you would expect, and the factory air conditioning may or may not be functional. We suspect this vehicle was a barn find of sorts, explaining a lack of history and its declining cosmetics.
The seller seems to favor an SS clone as the future of this Chevy. It already has the plastic inner fenders common to the Super Sport. I’d go with a stock Malibu restoration, though you could run it largely as-is with a splash of clear coat. The seller prefers cash but would consider trading for a Chevy Blazer from 1973 to 1975. What would you do at $20k?
This car is way overpriced, it may start but won’t go far without a radiator, the AC belt is missing so it will likely need a substantial amount of money to make it operational. Other than the door panels the interior sounds worn out, by the time you buy bucket seat cores, console, floor shifter, floor shift column you are looking at $1,500 plus new seat foam, covers and installation. The grill is broken and front bumper is bent, there are only 3 rally rims. You are basically getting a roller in an ugly color that needs a total restoration for $20,000. There are better deals out there.
Steve R
The only thing going for it is that it doesn’t appear hopelessly rotted, which is significant, but they’re dreaming at that price.
I’ve never liked this light green and still don’t. Like Steve R said, too much money.
So $20k is the new $3500, that is what these non-badged cars pulled for years and now a car that is barely a roller is $20k? Someone with misguided ambition will buy it (for probably close to $20k), take it apart and soon realize there is no end in site and will sell the shell and a garage full of parts for $8500. Interior, engine, suspension, wheels, tires, paint…..damn money pit.
Had one the same ugly color that I purchased used in 1974. Mine had the same ugly color interior with only 21,000 showing on the clock. Paid 1800 for it and purchased from a dealership. My how times have changed!
I think 5-7k is a better price being a 1971 Chevelle owner my self. Yes it is rust free and ha A/C. ralley wheels missing along with radiator fan shroud. Some more pictures of the dash and undercarriage since it is on a lift in a garage. It can still be saved and rebuilt but is probably all original underneath such as all suspension, brakes etc.
more like corn puff – $20k for a running driving stopping car maybe-but for a non op – radiator missing he’s about 10K-12K too high – not sure what he has done to determine what s going on underneath that vinyl top but unless they have peeled it back it’s a gamble.
The internet, especially Craigslist, has spawned a new generation of car salesmen. Surprised this Chevelle wasn’t pictured still sitting on the trailer at the first gas station stop after yanking it out of a shed. Seller forgot the familiar phrase; “No low ballers, I know what I got”. Whatever. But it will be “an easy SS clone”. So easy, he isn’t going to attempt the job?… Genius.
But he did use the meaningless words, survivor and original. The only other things he left out were original or one family owned and a fake claim of low mileage.
Steve R
Makes me sick that I sold my 1972 Chevelle in 2001 for $4,000 :(
i think the cream is sour in this puff. this dude is wacked right out of his skull. this look like it hasn’t run in years. yeah, its rust free but still needs 20to 30k to restore it and most likely will become a red ss clone. the prices of plain beat up Chevelle make me sick
This car is too expensive to turn into a clone. It’s not an indication the market is out of whack, but of a seller that is. That’s nothing new and will never change. He’ll eventually figure out his price is unrealistic or he’ll be one of those guys that has his car in the market for years.
This is the type of ad me and my buddies would laugh at when we’d meet at the local 7-11 every Friday morning in the early-1980’s to read through the new edition Auto Trader.
Steve R