TC member #2672
I started searching for a Chevelle and spent over a year looking. I looked at a few that were pretty far gone. Then as I was checking the classifieds on Team Chevelle (something I did every day!) I saw an ad for a 72 Malibu in the DFW Metroplex. I called the guy and set up a time to visit on Sunday. As I drove up to his house I saw a 72 Cheyenne in the driveway and thought his ad was wrong. He says no the Chevelle is out back in the garage. It was not a garage. It was an oversized shed that someone barely fit a garage door onto. There she sat. I knew immediately that no matter what was wrong with the car mechanically that I was buying this car. I walked around the car and checked it over for rust, telltale bondo signs and dents. 
It was clean! I was thrilled. As we discussed the issues with the car he let me know that it would not go into gear as all the trans fluid had leaked out. But, fill it up and it would be fine. I then asked for him to start it up. It fired up but was definitely not in tune. BUT, it ran! I made an offer of $2500 and he agreed. I came back after work the next day. I had the wife, kids and a towrope in the truck just in case.
We did all the paperwork and exchanged cash and keys. My son (4 at the time) got into his car seat next to me and we started the 15-minute trek home. As we rounded the 1st corner we set off a car alarm with the loud exhaust. My son and I smiled at each other. We pulled into rush hour traffic and the car died. After a couple tries we got her started again and blew a huge black cloud of smoke out. At the first stoplight we figured out quickly this was going to be a “one foot on the gas one foot on the brake” ride. I got a little overzealous at one intersection and spun the tires. My son laughed and said that was cool.
We got her home safe and sound and started really checking her over. I swapped out the Carter 750 carb for a smaller one, got the front u-joint replaced (it had a truck yoke on the front with the smaller u-joint so it made a “little” noise. I did a tune up on the car and replaced the trans pan gasket. When I dropped the pan I found the kick down bracket in 2 pieces lying in the bottom. (That reminds me, I need to drop the pan and replace it.) After that, I had a car I could run around the neighborhood in. The back tires were too big and definitely caused rubbing issues. I made my 1st E-bay purchase of wheels and tires and WOW! Then as I was cruising around 1 day she started running rough. After a quick check, yep I popped a head and had anti-freeze in the oil. A rebuilt set of heads and we were back in service. After several months I had another head pop. I finally have a decent rebuilt set on her now.
Time for paint –
I decided it was time to get her painted. I talked with several gear head friends and found a shop in a little town close by. I talked to the guy and decided to bring her out. I stripped off everything I could as well as stripped the interior. Quick piece of advice – do not attempt to drive your car while sitting on your haunches. It does NOT work. Instead use a small lawn chair that your wife thinks of. It worked great. The body shop guy goes over the car and keeps saying, “These cars always rust here. Except this car.” After he goes over the whole car we talk about colors. I say bright yellow with SS stripes. He gives me a very funny look and says OK; it’s your car. We than agree on cost and I left him the car and the keys. After he tells me 4 weeks (I knew better) I got her back after 5 months. During those 5 months I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned and cleaned the parts I pulled off. I taped and repainted and cleaned some more.
The big day –
I brought the car home. Man was it beautiful! The color was perfect! I then started re-assembling the car. It took me several weekends but I loved every minute of it. I was down to getting new front glass and getting the back glass installed. I re-installed the white bucket seat interior (not original) and it looked great with the color combo.
She has been back together for a while now. The previous owner put in a round gauge dash out of a Monte Carlo and I have since pulled it and re-painted and fixed all of the gauges and lights. I have been doing little things here and there. Plans for 2007 are rear gear, posi unit and suspension rebuild with poly bushings. I have accomplished the rear gears and a PowerTrax Lock Right. Plans for 2008 are a rebuild to 383 and 700R4 trans. Then one of these years I will re-do the interior.
One last thing, everything except the body and paint has been done by me. I plan on doing everything myself. That way I know its done right or who to blame if it isn’t.
Since owning this car I have had 2 others, a 72 Wagon and a 71 Malibu. They have both moved on to deserving owners and I still keep in touch with the fine gentleman who bought the wagon and one of my buddies bought my 71. I am sure I will have a few more as time goes on but I will always keep my first one.
The car is an original Arlington, TX car and was a 350 4 barrel, bench seat, covert tan, vinyl top car. Now it is the way I want it.
Details:
- 1. SS Clone??? More like – build it as I want it!
- 2. Paint - PPG Chrome Yellow with black SS stripes under 3 coats of clear
- 3. Wheels – 16 x 7 Torq Thrust II (front), 16 x 8 Torq Thrust II (back)
- 4. Non-functional Cowl Induction hood from Dynacorn
- 5. SS dash from Monte Carlo rebuilt (minus wood grain)
- 6. Edelbrock intake and carb with headers
- 7. B&M Mega Shifter
- 8. Stock and leaky 350 motor - will be changed to 383.
- 9. Leaky TH350 trans with a TransGo shift kit, almost got the leaks taken care of.
- 10. Stock 12 bolt rear-end with 3.73 gears and a Power Trax Lock Right
- 11. Suspension to be rebuilt
- 12. Interior to be re-done in current colors
- 13. Total investment in car is approximately $14,000 including purchase
More photos in the September issue of Chevy Punch Online Magazine
