hey im 17 and i was wondering how much my chevelle was worth.
here is pretty much all the info you need, and more, ive done alot of research so far and found some great info heres some info, plus some pics:
if u want to see pic of my car i made a myspace for it,
got to www.myspace.com/72_chevelle_ss_454 (http://www.myspace.com/72_chevelle_ss_454) the spaces are underscores but the line covers them up

miles: only 68,000
year: 1972
make:chevrolet
model:chevelle SS malibu edition(malibu is just better trimming)
eng:454
gear ratio: 4:11
vin: 1D37w2k625### (w=454)(1D37=malibu 2-door hrdtop sport coupe)
cowltag:
ST72 13637 K 015005BDY
. TR 704 A51 68 68PNT
. 05A 08221 L W
so how much do ya think she's worth?

Actually all SS models are Malibus. 136 indicates Malibu which SS, (all of them I believe) will already have that 136. I may have that wrong. Also, the "1D37" that indicates Malibu Sport Coupe, all SS cars were sport coupes so thats not the best way to determine any value. Yours is a 72 so you have the 5th digit in the vin that tells the engine size. In your case, a "W". Meaning its the 454 engine. 454 was only available in the SS model.

Is that the original engine and transmission? Looks like a nice car to me. I would say at least 10-13K for starters if not matching.

yeah its the orriginal engine and trasnmission, and ive been researching it too, i already knew about the cowltag and th "w", lol so did you go to the website and look at the pics. why do u think its only worth 10-13k . why is it that everyone on ebay is wanting ang geting 30-130k for thiers when their car dosent even look that good, and most of them r clones. what do u think i have to do to the car to make it worth more, i was planning on fixing it up and turning it into a show car, how come some cars are worth so much when they have like 140k miles on them and mine only has 68k. so do u think this is a good car or not because if its not then im just going to sell it to someone and get a better one. thanks
shawn:confused: :clonk:

To make it worth a little more.........make it more stock looking. Get rid of the fuel cell, Get yourself some original style ralley wheels. Try tp keep your modifications "invisible" or minor.such as a cam & intake swap. Your car IS a good car to keep but try to keep from modifying it too much.

No, it isn't worth it. You should just sell it to me for $500.00. Whatta ya say?

LOL

Original/stock type parts will make it worth more. Getting rid of the "hot rod" parts is very good advice if you want to maximize the value of your SS. Nice ride.

thanks guys ill keep that in mind. but what do u think its worth, as is, and what could it be worth when stock

Cleanliness does wonders for value... and it doesn't cost much, it just takes elbow grease and time.

Ditch the paper filter and get a K&N, loose the matching breathers and get some nice plain/round ones. Ditch rubber hoses where ever you can, especially fuel lines. Re-route and hide as much electrical as possible. Replace rusty old hardware in prominant places with new (ss or grade 8). Get some nice ceramic coated headers, because they are nice big beautiful parts that don't cost a fortune. Plastic fuel cells look cheap to me, but a beaded aluminum one would look nice back there. Eliminate any weird squeaks, rattles, or other noises. Get under that baby and make sure everything is tight, check for leaks, and make sure your exhaust is hanging tight and even. Look for missing hardware, inspect bushings, suspension, and brakes.

You can do a lot without spending a bunch of money. I'm assuming it runs good and you stay on top of regular service. Your '72 has potential. Just a serious cleaning job would make it look a 100% better though.

so did you go to the website and look at the pics. why do u think its only worth 10-13k. what do u think i have to do to the car to make it worth more, i was planning on fixing it up and turning it into a show car, how come some cars are worth so much when they have like 140k miles on them and mine only has 68k. so do u think this is a good car or not because if its not then im just going to sell it to someone and get a better one. thanks
shawn:confused: :clonk:

I wasnt meaning an insult in my reply. That was refering to it not having the original engine and the many hot rod parts on it, like whats already been mentioned. With the original engine and the low mileage, it is certainly worth substanially more. It could easily be brought back to stock. Yes, I did check out the pics, I like it. I wish I had a 72 W car myself also. Been looking for a w code El Camino for quite sometime now.

thanks guys ill keep that in mind. but what do u think its worth, as is, and what could it be worth when stock
mine is in similar condition but with more "stock type parts" & has been appraised at $20,000 (3 yrs ago) as is since it is #'s matching & low miles.

I'd like to add that you should get the area around that battery cleaned up or that acid will eat a big ass hole in your trunk. Mine battery ate away the body mount on the front grill support. I'd put it in one of those plastic boxes they use for boats.
The fuel cell is the biggest thing that would keep me from buying your car, this is just what I think. Your interior looks pretty nice. I just passed on a pretty decent SS Camino (72) this past summer because of the home made fuel cell they had right behind the cab. They were only wanting $3500. It was wearing original paint with a few rust bubbles and had a non original 283. But it was a blue car with white stripes. I wish I would have went ahead and bought it though. I know it was a real deal SS.

if your 17 why would you want to sell a car like that you can get all the chicks with that thing. I wish i had my 66 when i was in high school

oh i dont have it yet it arives on friday, i wasjust wondering what it was worth, because im already in it 12 grand. i was in an accident 2 years ago and this is one of my dream cars so i bought it with my settlment money. im ging to fix her up a bit and turn it into a show car. and since i know most of you guys/girls on her are pretty smart i kinda wanted some oppenions on what to do and how much its worth.

Instead of thinking of its worth right now, do what you would like to it and make it the way it makes you happy.

When your there, then re-visit the what's it worth section.

In the meantime sit back, relax, get to know everyone and get ready for some fun and hard work.

Believe me it will be worth it in the long run.
One thing you will learn, you will never sell it for what you have into it, unless your extremely lucky or you get it for a song and do ALL the work on it yourself. Also, you will ALWAYS feel it is worth more than others offer, that's just the nature of the beast.

BTW, Welcome to the best site on the net!!!!! :)

Wow, you sure have some special interests there.....



Anyhow, Here's what I'd do with your car....
First and foremost, that fuel cell has to go. Put the battery back up front where it goes. Ditch the wheels, lose the exhaust and get some factory style back on there. I'd replace the valve covers, air cleaner, and take some scrubbing bubbles to that engine bay. Next I'd remove the front seats and go nuts on that interior with a shop vac. Replace the rubber molding and such.

PS, is that a SCREWDRIVER holding the hood up? new hood springs FIRST and foremost.


To make a long story short.... take a step back, and say... "HEY, what doesn't look right". Go from there.

Wow, you sure have some special interests there.....



Anyhow, Here's what I'd do with your car....
First and foremost, that fuel cell has to go. Put the battery back up front where it goes. Ditch the wheels, lose the exhaust and get some factory style back on there. I'd replace the valve covers, air cleaner, and take some scrubbing bubbles to that engine bay. Next I'd remove the front seats and go nuts on that interior with a shop vac. Replace the rubber molding and such.

PS, is that a SCREWDRIVER holding the hood up? new hood springs FIRST and foremost.


To make a long story short.... take a step back, and say... "HEY, what doesn't look right". Go from there.
This is a better version of what I was trying to say....good advice here IMO

Wow, you sure have some special interests there.....



Anyhow, Here's what I'd do with your car....
First and foremost, that fuel cell has to go. Put the battery back up front where it goes. Ditch the wheels, lose the exhaust and get some factory style back on there. I'd replace the valve covers, air cleaner, and take some scrubbing bubbles to that engine bay. Next I'd remove the front seats and go nuts on that interior with a shop vac. Replace the rubber molding and such.

PS, is that a SCREWDRIVER holding the hood up? new hood springs FIRST and foremost.


To make a long story short.... take a step back, and say... "HEY, what doesn't look right". Go from there.

I noticed the screwdriver too. Also looks like the steering gear box is that for power steering but no power steering pump. The short water pump is incorrect. Looks like the alternator is mounted funky. Fuel regulator mounting with its yards of fuel line could be more tastefully done. SS trunk stripes are incorrect.

If your goal is to go back stock you have a big big mountain to climb. You do have the makings of a nice driver. As stated 10-13K doesn't seem out of line.

What do you think it's worth, or from the sounds of it you just bought it, what did you pay for it (not being nosey)? If it's your dream car as stated,why worry about it. All the advice to clean it up, pay atention to detail, and loose some of the modifications(fuel cell, battery in trunk etc.) are excellent suggestions. It's a nice car with lots of potential to enjoy, and also keep it's value. Clean it up and drive it, and them ask what it's worth after every time you get a nod or thumbs up when you drive it. GOOD LUCK

As it sits, I'd say you paid it's current value. You didn't get a fantastic deal, but you didn't get a bad one either.

I just sold my W code car on ebay last week for 10k. Check past auctions to check out condition. It was very decent.


bob

Who rigged up the fuel line? Coming over the firewall down the driver's side apron then back across the font of the engine? Just my opinion but you might want to rethink the wording in your General Interest link. :(

Just my opinion but you might want to rethink the wording in your General Interest link.

Yeah, he might break his screw driver :D It also says he doesnt have any friends, I wonder why that is?

I would say.... one meeeelion dollars!

Seriously man, clean it up, make it safe, and loose the cocky attitude.

why is it that everyone on ebay is wanting ang geting 30-130k for thiers when their car dosent even look that good, and most of them r clones.

Because ebay is the one place where litterally anything sells, reguardless of if it's junk or not, there are fools out there willing to blow their hard earned money in a bidding war.

thanks man, i dont know why but the shipping companny is screwing me over they were supposed to pick it up thursday and it be here friday, now its suposadly geting picked up tuesday. but, yeah, im going to do some serious work on her. i already have everything im going to buy saved to my favorites , and my uncle works with apolstry so im going to have him do the interior and im going to put some extreme work on the engien in cleaning it up and making her look nice
Wow, you sure have some special interests there.....



Anyhow, Here's what I'd do with your car....
First and foremost, that fuel cell has to go. Put the battery back up front where it goes. Ditch the wheels, lose the exhaust and get some factory style back on there. I'd replace the valve covers, air cleaner, and take some scrubbing bubbles to that engine bay. Next I'd remove the front seats and go nuts on that interior with a shop vac. Replace the rubber molding and such.

PS, is that a SCREWDRIVER holding the hood up? new hood springs FIRST and foremost.


To make a long story short.... take a step back, and say... "HEY, what doesn't look right". Go from there.

yeah, im going to do some serious work on her. i already have everything im going to buy saved to my favorites , and my uncle works with apolstry so im going to have him do the interior and im going to put some extreme work on the engien in cleaning it up and making her look nice


A cars beauty is a subjective thing, but to maximize the value, its best to stay "stock", or very close to it. IF you were to sell one day, most likely the big dollars would come for something "stock", and moreso because its a matching number 454 SS car...

Its your car, and you can modify it the way you want, but it probably won't be worth much more than a clone (maybe even less) or even a Malibu street machine... It seems the guys that are willing to spend big money are going to look for quality and a good investment. Stock Musclecars seem to typically pull the most money. If its NOT stock, there might be fewer people with the same taste as you (and therefore harder to sell)...

There are some mods that might NOT affect the value too much.

You can still have it look very close to stock yet perform well and be easily returned to stock in the future...

Good luck

Oh yeah, be careful of "Ebay" or Auction comparisons... Things are not always as they seem. Many cars on Ebay "sell", but deals often fall through, etc... Some people list their cars (or reserves) well above "realistic" values...