Maybe it's true. There is safety in numbers. Like 454 or 365.
Those are the displacement and horsepower figures of the big-block
residing beneath the hood of Kenneth Arms' '71 Super Sport convertible.
And believe us, with that much motivation available, getting out
of harms way is n-o-o-o problem! Kenneth's convertible wasn't
always the picture perfect Chevelle shown here. Regular use and
time had both taken their toll when his good friend Nolan Keatts
first came across it several years back, parked in the driveway
of the original owner. But Nolan recognized the potential of the
downtrodden droptop, and after negotiating its purchase, began
an ambitious resurrection. Although the body has been fully attended
to. New GM sheetmetal replaced the original flanks and fenders
before the body was covered in the original Cranberry red. Likewise,
a new top and interior were installed as the Chevelle began to
take shape under the expert hand of Keatts.
Chevelle stylists incorporated single headlamps and relocated park / turn lamp assemblies into the '71's front end. The broad hood stripes remained a part of the Super Sport's visuals, warning the competition that the SS was Something Special.
Options are part of what make any car more valuable, and of the LS5 engine and foldaway top aren't enough to get the attention of most Chevelle aficionados,then the cowl induction, air conditioning, power top, tilt wheel, gauge package, AM-FM stereo,and tinted glass should. Sharp-eyed purists out there are probably bemoaning the non-original 8-inch rally wheels and BF Goodrich radial rubber, but Kenneth prefers them over the five-spoke rims originally installed of "71 Super Sports . And, (just to put everyone's minds at ease) he's still got the restored original safely stashed away if the urge should ever hit him to put the Chevelle back to its fully original configuration.
With only 5089 Chevelle convertibles built in 1971, it's probably
a safe bet that only a handful were fitted with the SS454 package.
However, with the demise of the LS6, if Chevelle lovers wanted
a 454 in their '71 it had to be an LS5. The '71 LS5 wasn't exactly
the same engine, either, that had been offered the year before.
Tightening emissions and the anticipation of unleaded fuels forced
a lowering of the compression ratio from 10.25 to 1 to 8.5 to
1, although the horsepower rating moved up slightly from year's
previous 360 to 365. According to GM literature, even with reduced
compression, the breathing improvements provided by the new "open
chamber" heads justified the increase. As you might expect,
the number of LS5 assembly line installations went form 4298 in
'70 to 90502 for the '71 model year run.
A fully detailed engine compartment boasts a 365 hp 454, cowl induction, and factory A/C. Look close and you'll even see the charcoal canister still in place on the driver's side fender well.
It may not be as full as the engine compartment, but the trunk of Arms' '71 is just as immaculate. When was the last time you saw a plastic jack cover still in the trunk?
Any way you look at it, Kenneth's rare, red ragtop is just the
ticket for cruising with the top down on those balmy summer nights.
And speaking of tickets, with its bright red paint and powerful
454, maybe there isn't all that much safety in numbers. You better
check that rearview mirror, Kenneth, before cracking the whip
on those 365 horses!
Interior accouterments include bucket seats, console, tach and gauges, tilt wheel, and a cool breeze blowing from the dash.
