I bought my first toy car after 23 years this April. My work kept me real busy until early June, when I finally got this girl road worthy. I've had her on the road for only a few weeks now.

'67 SS 396 all original except motor and a really f'ed up paint job. Good metal. Strong 396 ( out of a '68 Camaro ) but I don't think the motor was balanced. Unbalanced motors are a total no go with me. I can't have any fun when I feel the bottom end shaking. DONT EVER DO A HOT REBUILD WITHOUT BALANCING THE RECIP ASSEMBLY!

Anyway, I was planning on puttting my '67 L88 in this car either as an L88 or an L72 with tripower.

I bought the car for $5500 and have approximately another 1200 into it.

The guy who set up the front end was smitten with the car and is willing to give me 7000 for her. Not much profit for the approx 40 hours of work I have into it. ( But I haven't done this in over 20 years, it would've taken any one of you guys 10-15 hours to do the same work I'm sure ).

After I put a needed coat of wax on her, I realized that the paint is worse than I thought. She'll have to be completely stripped to get it right. I wanted the car back to the original Bolero red.

I'm going to drive around to a few paint shops to see what I'm up against. I'm guessing $4-5000 for the paint work. Lots of labor in stripping.

So, do I wheel my '67 and look for another home for my L88? The car will have 6800 plus 3000 for the L88 ( motor work I can do!), plus 4500 for paint = 14300. WOW.

I can probably find a 67/68 Vette for that kind of cash. ( Actually prefer the early 'Elles to Vettes or Camaros ).

What would you do?

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[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

Gene, the question is, what do YOU want to do? It's your car and you know that, in this hobby, you (almost)never build a car and sell it for more than you have into it. I'm building my '67 now (and have been for nearly 2 years) and I'm looking forward to hearing it and driving it SOOOO bad!! Personally, I'd take your Chevelle (454?) over a Vette any day. But if sinking a ton of money to make it what you want isn't feasable, then find another car that you'd be happier with and is closer to being completed. But I vote for sticking with the Chevelle!

DaDon, it's a 396 not original. ANd the engine isn't balanced so I'll rip it up if I drive it the way I want.

It's a tough call. I'm smitten with the Chevelle! I really like the early ones. I was planning on doing a Skip Cain type 427 tri buildup on her. I'll never get the $20,000+ that Skip got 'cause my '67 won't be as professional as his. Irrelevant really 'cause I'll never sell it when it's done.

BTW, there is nothing like rowing through the gears in a 4 speed BBC car. Nothing. I always had T350's and 400 in my early cars. That was the thing to do in the late 70 's. Now I'm older, more nostalgic and love the feel of a stick! Getting a stout big block spinning at close to 7 is such a rush. The only thing close that I've felt since then is falling out of a prefectly good airplane!

Don, hurry up with that '67! You're gonna love it!



[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

OK Tri Man, here is a deal. I will trade you my 93 LT-1 vette for the 67 and all the parts, and I do mean all the parts, 27, tri setup. You don't need to paint jack.

You get a 93 torch red coupe, all options, even ride control, all original, nice car.

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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu

Gene, A bud of mine had a 350 Nova that would shake our teeth out when he buzzed it up. Found out he used an external blanced 400 flywheel. Swapped it out for the internal balance wheel and the motor was smooth as silk.

I'm all for keeping the Chevelle. Good, clean, rust free bodies are hard to find. If it were me, I'd go with that nasty L-88 and let the big dog eat! Rob

Wally, you don't understand. I meticulously rebuilt the L88 when I was 17/18. Had to sell it to a friend before I ever got a chance to play -- college. ( It cost me $600 back in 1978 which was alot of beans for a high school kid, even with two jobs.)

It sort of stayed "in the family" and I bought it back last year. I'll never sell that motor again. Ever. ( Plus I bought it back for 1800 which was a steal ).

Come to find out from a Corvette guy in my home town that it was a "crate" motor,i.e., bought from Chevy in 1968 as an engine assembly, never in a car. He knew the motor and the guy I bought it from.

And I think WOW, what a prefect motor to put in a '67 Chevelle. And I'll call it a wannbe COPO. And the original 396 was spun out by my '67s first owner. Just seemed to fit together too well.

Rob, the 396 doesn't shake your teeth out. It's subtle. I used to work on motor every day as a machinists apprentice. Maybe I'm too fastidiuos or meticulous about it, but I will not take her above 5000. I don't think it's a 454 balancer.



[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

Gene,
My opinion may not mean much here (we're putting a 350 in our '67 and I've never owned or even driven a BB car), but a 3x2 427-urged '67 sounds way too cool! There's just something about it...

TH, no I appreciate your input. I totally share your sentiment. It seems foolish for a guy like me who makes decisions about, literally, millions of dollars to be so perplexed about a piece of iron ( not my own money, gentlemen just what I do to pay my bills ). I guess I'm looking for a sign or a gut feeling as to which way to go. All your help is appreciated.

Wally, BTW and I don't mean anything personal about this. A late model Vette, while a very nice car, is too "yuppie" for me. Yuppieness really tweaks me.( much to my wife's chagrin ) Alot of my friends are. And alot aren't. I have no right to judge others. It's not rational and maybe unfair, but I pride myself in my attempt to be unyuppie. I spit, I swear, and I'm the only one of my buds I know that had the felling that I had to serve in uniform. Duty, honor, country. But your offer is kind and more than fair. And if my wife knew of it, it'd be a done deal.



[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

I can tell you that $14300 will only buy a 67 Vette that needs lots (and I mean Lots!) of work. I have over $35,000 in my 65 Vette and over $11,000 in my 68 Malibu. I couldn't sell either car for what I have in them. If anybody ever built a project car only to make money off of it, or even sell it for what you have in it, no one would ever start a project. Do what makes you happy and don't worry about it!!

Bob, you're right. I couldn't touch an original 67 BBC Vette. I've seen a few fixer-uppers ( mostly ex drag cars ). And if you mean it'll be a bigger money pit then your point is well taken. I noticed the huge premium on Vette parts when I bought my tripower intake.

If 4th gen vettes are yuppie, then 5th gen vettes are even worse. I don't know what you would call it. Maybe, for grandma and grandpa. Thats what people call the C4 when they have never experienced one. Try driving one at an autocross. You will want one so bad it will be all you can think about. Or just find a friend that will let you take it out for a spin. Nothing like it. Nothing. Most people never experience it, until you do you will not understand. The C4 is a real racecar, harsh, fast, mean. Kinda like a good handling Chevelle. The C5 is a cruiser, comfortable, quiet, boring. ie Grandpa's Caddi


[This message has been edited by David Nafarrete (edited 07-08-99).]

Yep, I will put my bone stock C-4 with traction control beside any 4 speed rat motor chevelle and kick his big behind off the line, then when the first small corner comes up, wave bye bye.

There is no comparison between the early straight axle cars with 53 chevy half ton truck font ends and the late C-4.

Oh well, it was just a thought.

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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu

Gene,
If this is, or could become, the car you always wanted, do it to it and keep it.It's like Rob said, good clean no-rust bodies are hard to find. Yes, you can find another, at what price? If you are not a numbers purist and you like this car and can build it the way you want it, get it done and keep it. The days of wood ships and men of steel are gone. The days of steel Chevelles will also pass. Get yours now. (and the deuce coupes are damn near gone)

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David, point taken. I've never driven one. Also academic since I'll NEVER sell my L88 again. I had the pleasure of rowing through the gears in a '67 Vette 427 and thought that was wonderfully raw! I'm sure Wally's Vette is totally cool too. Pushing my '67 through a fast corner would be suicidal!

Gentlemen, I just want a nice car to put my L88 in, no more, no less. Will it be the fastest, the best, the coolest? Don't care.

Wally, are you absolutely serious about your swap offer or are you just tuggin' my chain. A mere mention of this to my BOSS would mean a trip to MD.

I shouldn't have made the yuppie comment. You fellas don't know me but my Chevelle is sort of an escape from the very stuffy professional world I deal in. A relief actually. And David, I would rather drag than autocross any day. Just my preference. Maybe I'll grow up some day!

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

I would hang on to her go looking at what you get for 7 grand I looked for a couple of years I am over 7 grand now it still needs paint and thats not counting the new eng that is long over due to be installed . Before you sell actually look at the cars in local papers etc . I think you may change your mind MIKE

Gene- The question you have to ask yourself, is, "What can I buy for $14,300.00???"
Look through the car ads here, and maybe Hemmings. Picture what your car will look like when it's done. If you can find a car that's equivilent in price, quality, and optioned the way you want, that is done, and done right, then sell it. I can tell you that $14 K will buy a nice '67, but can you find one like you want? Tough call!
If it were I, I might pimp the guy a bit...maybe $8 or 9 K...
I really think you'd be better off keeping it and doing it like you want it. Like as mentioned, clean bodies are becoming harder to find!
Good luck.

gene,
I would go with the soild lift,fire breather in the 67,I got a ce 427 in my 67ss,It seems right at home.open the hood and it still makes the hair on my neck stand up.this combo just seems to make people goose pimple,+4-speed.I have been asked if i can see when im on it.I love this combo,makes ya kinda feel like your driving a c.o.p.o.I think you would be very happy with this set up.but thats just my opinion,I could be wrong.good luck with what ya do. 67rat member #199

to the C-4 guys
c-4 vettes are very high likings to me,but I like the nastalgic thing(yeh I know NICE SPELLING)nothin like raw,rip your head off horsepower.theres just something about a ill handleing car with gobbs of power that I love.I have high respect for c-4s. awsome cars!67rat member #199

I'd sell and try to find a car w/out and engine that had an excellent body and had already been painted. Maybe I accidentally ate some dreamsicles but I would think you could get a pretty slick motorless ride for 7 grand. If you did alot of shopping around and you know better, and a 67 is EXACTLY what you want, then I recommend keeping it.

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Mike
formerly known as gotapileof70Malibu (so add 80 to my number of posts)
'70 Malibu
'70 Malibu convertible

Well Gene, the very first guy who seen your Chevelle apparently wants to buy it. That means that you can probably enjoy it and sell it whenever you please. Don't rush it right now. It's summer, have a little fun and THEN decide.

This decision sounds like the very thing that you are trying to 'escape from' in the workplace. Nothing wrong with a vette, but I think the crowd you are looking for drives Chevelles!

[This message has been edited by Al (edited 07-08-99).]

Gene -

Glad to see that you've posted here before deciding to sell the car. Add one more vote for NOT selling it. You know that along with others here, I've followed your progress on the car since before you bought it. $15K is not much to have into a big-block car, so I wouldn't let that discourage you. Have the car media-blasted for $500-$600 - the stripping is a piece of cake that way. If you finish the car and you have less than $20K into it, I'd say you did really well. And I'd also say that you could probably get close to that back out of it if you had to.

I imagine you pulling into the local burger joint or wherever the cruise nights are held, and having everyone turn their heads and flock around the awesome Chevelle with paint like glass and a rumpity-rump motor that gives you goosebumps. That pride that you feel when you step out and open the hood will be worth every penny and hour you've put into the car.

We all know you'll do the car right, no matter which route you go. You were very fortunate to find this car in the condition it was. You will spend years trying to find another one. Just check the wanted section to see how many unfulfilled dreams there are. Don't let yours be one of them!

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Rainer - Team Chevelle #50 - Gold Member
'68 SS396
'70 LS3 400 Malibu
& the newest - '70 Malibu convertible!
rseitz@chevelles.com

Gene I say keep the car, fix it up with a nice paint job, and get that 3x2 427 in it. Drive it for a year or two and then decide if you want something else... you can always put the 396 back in and probably sell it for a pretty penny.. One great thing about these cars is they only increase in value with time.

Wally: I agree about the cornering of the vette but off the line they arent THAT fast. what does that C4 run in the quarter, not much compared to any decent big block chevelle

Mike

Well, Al hit my tactical decision on the head. The car doesn't look that bad and I'm going to have a little fun with it. I wish I hadn't gone with the 2 chamber mufflers though. It's like a hollow boom box at a light.

All the "heavy lifting" is done. Brakes, shifter, ignition, front end. Now it's just little things like seat belts!

Tomorrow I'm driving her in to work and visiting two paint shops. One in the early AM and one during lunch. The one during lunch just finished a '56 Belair I saw. It's beautiful! The car is for sale, $50,000. Yeeow. The owner has a '68 'Elle, so maybe he can do me solid.

Ragtop. That's exactly what my buddy keeps saying. "I'll find you a mint Camaro for 7!" I don't mind Camaros but I prefer the Chevelle. Plus the full frame and extra 300 lbs I think helps in a street car with 500+ ponies on tap. Incidentally, there's a numbers matching resored 68 ragtop in the local paper for 8000. That's hard to believe.


67RAT. You and I must be tuned to the same frequency. I like all good cars. I don't even know what C-4, C-5 and all that means. The last c-4 I played with was in a Claymore. I like the nostalgia of it. And you're right. I can imagine the hair on the back of my neck standing up when I lift the hood of this gorgeous Bolero red '67 Chevelle and lo and behold, a nasty, polished up '67 L88 (L72) is under the hood. Maybe not as slick as a new C-5, but in my eyes, humbly, waaaay cooler and a real piece of auto history. Plus, I wouldn't have any hesitation taking on anything, anything at all. I'm not real comfortable going 140 mph for an extended period even in a new vette. Neither are the local boys in blue. But a 12 or 11 sec blast is more my style. And safer.

I really appreciate all your input. Al's advice is well taken - I've got a few more cruise nights to go to!

BTW, I finally have pix and my local photo guy is going to scan a couple for me. Is there a place to post these on the site and is it tricky to do so. I assume we don't want real high res due to memory constraints.

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-08-99).]

Gene,

I vote with Keep The Velle gang! The car sounds like it has all the potential and there is nothing like hearing/feeling the rumble of a great Big Block. I work in the High Tech business and it sure is cool to lose the white collar for a white t-shirt and a rumlin' ride! Make your statement and let everyone enjoy your passion for it!

Pedal to the metal Bud! It's real & it's honest!

Gene, I own a 68 El Camino with 468" big block,700R4,4.10 cog,17" & 20" Torq-Thrusts,,you know,all the good stuff. I also own a '90 ZR-1 Corvette,Lingenfelter & DRM built LT-5,4.27 cogs,Brembo brakes,18" OZ Mito wheels & Michelin Pilot tires,and too much more to mention. The ZR-1 will run high 11's, run 195+mph with a gear change,get 22mpg, corner at 1G,,all the good stuff. To make a long story short,if I had to sell either car, it would be no contest; the ZR-1 would go first. Why? The ZR-1 is ten times the car my Elky is but the Elky stirs my soul like nothing else. $14K for a killer 67 Chevelle with L88 or L71? Come on,,get real. $14K is peanuts for a one-off car of that caliber. If you sell it, you WILL regret it. Trust me on that.

Gene.

Keep her.

You should know about the investments… which is the least important part.
Can you look in the mirror the next day after the sell??? Come on, man. It is not about the bucks!! Most likely you will buy her back next week, with double price…

I have that same “yuppie/unyuppie” problem, tho I have solved it already w/o car.

But this yuppie-thing goes both ways. Some Impala SS owners are like “I would rather drive a BMW 750iL if I´d have the money”, Camaro is substitute for a Ferrari-dream for some etc. That is hard to understand for me.. Big block rumble vs some pathetic whine, 3rd gear smoking vs. puny take off chirp, guts vs luxury, price etc etc… Come on!

C4 – Vette associates with C4 to me, back 2 back with 69…
Really really great cars, particulary for top speed warriors, 700++ HP and 220+ MPH is the way to go..

Anything under 150 mph -> chevelle is by far the best, IMHO..

Bottom line- keep her or trade for another chevelle… no third way, period. (imho..)

Vortech

P.S. Install those seat belts ASAP, man, ya hear! Some FWD speeding a-hole might hit ya! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif
You need at least one unbroken hand to utilize your training and settle the score… Plead to temporary insanity later.. ;)

Canuck, you understand my "white collar" deal perfectly. It's not as bad as it used to be since I left a monster co to start my own a little while ago, but it's a relief to throw a black T shirt on and go! And I don't have to pretend I golf!!!( I'd rather fish any day.)

Clint, buddy you got some nice rides! I was actually thinking about an Elky first, but my design consultant ( read wife ) hated them. She doesn't like the old boxy Chevelle either but is at least willing to put up with it. Your last sentence is etched in my mind. Thanks.

Vortech, how are ya? This isn't an investment thing at all. My $5500 would have been way better off in stocks over the long run ( and short run it turns out). The car isn't a money thing, and, my wife and I talked about this the other day, I don't think it's much of an ego thing either. I love these machines. I love tinkering with them. I don't really care to show it off and all that. I just want to run it. When it's done, though, I'll certainly park it at some shows, tell the judges to leave her alone and let folks see what pure muscle was all about.

BTW,I can't believe GM had a corporate policy to not put anything bigger than 400 ci in the early A-bodies. Did Ralph Nader scare them ? The insurance co's? The Corvette execs? What? I sort of want to change that and show what could've been if GM execs has any guts at all. How popular would a 427 fired 67/68/69 Chevelle have been?

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-09-99).]

Gene,

"my design consultant ( read wife )" !!
LOL!! Quote of the day, for sure!! LOL!!

BTW, I hope to meet Jeff Carpenter from Kansas tomorrow, yess, he is coming to Tallinn with girlfriend, cant wait to meet them and show them around the place!

Damn, that strong dollar is making everything so expensive for me! Damn! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
Estonian crown is pegged to DM, so the rate is pure robbery now!

Black T-s rule, Gene, they RULE!

And if you have *almost* finished your car and park it at some shows, the judges dont want to leave it alone and will embarrass you with some trophys!

Yes, Clint (Eastwood?, Magnum?) 44. I forgot to tell that you have the best rides! Some day i will annoy you with a wad of questons about that 700R4 installation! What kind of LPE LT-5 do you have in your ZR-1? 400cid/575hp??

For all, I am sad to retell the fact that GM/Chevy corporate activities have been anti-performance so too often... I lost my count long time ago... Perhaps thats why i am not into #s matching... cuz corporate always are into strangling performance..

But that is where underground/aftermarket comes in! Yeehea!!

Vortech,
proud to be a chevelle fan!

Well, I stopped in today with my 'Elle to get a paint quote from one of the best in our area and an appraisal from Bob Harris at Camaro Specialties. Here's an excerpt from Bob's appraisal, " Gene's 67 Chevelle is a very low milage, original body car. ... The car is in need of cosmetic work and paint to be of collector/show quality but is presentable as is and has tons of potential."

Well Skip, wherever you are, send some Divine intervention my way so I can get this resitification up to your standards please.

Case closed. Thnaks for all your posts.

Gene Chas
Gold 62
'67 SS 396 soon-to-be SS427

Hey Gene,
Glad to hear you're keepin' it! I was following your post through everyday but I thought I wasn't to qualified in telling you to keep it, when in the Members section I post a similar thing you guys say keep it and I sell her off to the original owner! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif Oh well glad to hear it, maybe you can post the background image of Skip's car to keep you motivated.(the pics are here: http://www.chevelles.com/backgrounds/index.shtml ) (Let his creations live on while he rest's in peace!) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif
Good Luck!

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Steve
64SS-327-4spd-sold to Original owner!
In process of finding a 65
Team Chevelle Member #71