First, this is a continuation of my first post:

Take a look at this 71 454 SS and let me know what you think.

I needed to post a different heading because the story continues with a twist. First, the owner sent a copy (pic) of the build sheet and the SS is real!!!!! Take a look at the additional picture I posted of the BS

http://rides.webshots.com/album/556315770SLRYie

I finally spoike with him, and as I supected, he doesn't know Chevelles and how good of a car it truly is because of the proof it is a true SS...at least so far everything is pointing that way. I had to explain the VIN - BS connection and had him read the VIN directly from the car so I could match it up with the fainted BS numbers...which I'll see in person. There's a remote possibility the numbers might even match. He didn't think it was matching numbers because he disconnected the AC, and the water pump is different:D ...he really doens't know what he has.

The problem is so far...the grill is silver...should be black correct?....but more so and the reson for the post....there's no hood pins!! Isn't that impossible without intentionally covering up the holes?

And in regards to the seats (previous post) I told him I'd have them redone to stock($1k) and I'd want to drop in a 4-speed ($2.5K)..therefore deduct $3.5k from the asking price of $24.5k, and I'll do $21k....he said OK.:D He has a landscaping biz and needs to buy a truck asap so he's very flexible.

So what do you think???....need input on that hood pin issue and what do you think of that BS?...and anything else....thanks.

You give the seller too much info.
Why educate him on anything before the sale?
You might educate yourself right out of a deal.

On another note, I don't care how much the seller will pay to have anything done to a car I am selling. It does not come into my price, unless I bring it up to make the sale.

Just make an offer and stand on it. You don't have to defend your offer or why you made it.

Now, I haven't bought/sold hundreds of cars, but enough to understand the low-ball/first-offer scenario, I'm sure he does too. When I short-offer, I just let them know I would be spending additional money that I didn't expect if I buy this car....and leave it at that.

I'd like to see more pics if you do score a deal on this car. And it turns out to be real and numbers matching. Good luck.

DG...I'm testing him to see what he knows about the car...believe me, didn't spend much time to uncover any gems...and I want to see if he's playing me. Still to be seen if I check it out in person..

I'd really like to get some input on the hood pin issue....it's bugging me..and the quality of the BS.

All 71/72 SS cars had hood pins with domed hood or cowl induction hood. The hood may have been replaced at one time (replacement non CI hoods do not have holes) but the radiator support is not drilled for hood pins either. I guess in theory the support could have been replaced w/ hood (collision?). Bottom line is, the build sheet is the FINAL word (if it's real).

Mike...wait a minute....if it has CI, which it does...where are the holes for the hood pins? I doubt they cut a hole for the CI (though possible)...but maybe covered up the hood pins on the CI hood?

Or, was there some ultra rare CI hood with pin delete option?

Hey no BS for 21K if you don't buy the car I'll give you a $500 finders fee and buy it myself.

A grill and hood pins can always be added. If the build sheet ends up matching the car, I wouldn't worry about those little things. It's obvious the car isn't all stock and has had a lot of things changed, but if the car is solid with a build sheet, go for it.

The hood pin thing is killing me...from what I can understand through a zillion posts on this subject...there's no such thing as a cowl induction hood with no pins...it just doesn't exist...right?

Aftermaket hood. Alot of restored cars have repro hoods without hoodpins. Not at all uncomman. $21k for that car even as a clone is a steal I am serious I will buy it without hesitation.

As I posted prior on your first post; it looked like a nice car, but if that Build Sheet matches the car, then I'd quit worrying about the color of the grill and hood pins - both of which can be added.

I noticed on the BS the rear axle was factory posi with 3:31 - real nice, but check to see its the same one on the car. And by the way, the code on the axle would be RV and if it is like a 70, then bring a mirror because it is on the forward side of the axle.

Also, the BS says AM/FM & TPE - It appears in the photo that it is an 8 track - again, real nice. But I also noticed a gauge was installed in between the radio and lighter - oh wells, for 21k, I could live with that.

Also, it shows that steering wheel is on the BS, again, nice.

In regards to the silver grill - a plain jane would have been silver or white or what ever light color they used, but it would also have vertical stainless pieces above and below the SS badge, which are not there. I'm thinking they just liked the grill silver rather than black - hey this is the same person who put white inserts into the seats.

The Exhaust manifolds not only have same crazy silver paint, but shouldn't they have smog equipment or at least plugged holes on a 72??? Unless it was only CA cars that had the smog stuff on the manifolds, but on the BS in boxes 100 and 101 it does say SMOG SYSTEM, but I'm not positive it should be on the manifolds.

Anyways, stop talking to that guy - he's getting smarter. Go down and check it out. BRING CASH.

Oh P.S. - if the build sheet matches and even better if it has matching numbers, you're not really going to cut a hold in the floor for a four speed - are you?

Thanks guys for the additional info, especially insight with the BS and the hood pin concern. It must be a repo hood...fortunately I will be seeing it by the end of the week to confirm everything. I suspect there might have been a accident and they replaced the front clip, hood, and grille...at least that would sound logical.

He's sending me the cowl tag info so I can match it up with the BS...he didn't even know were to look or what it was...scarey.

396driver

Oh P.S. - if the build sheet matches and even better if it has matching numbers, you're not really going to cut a hold in the floor for a four speed - are you?

No I probably won't...especially if it is match #'s. Though I might flip it to get the 70 4 speed that I really want.

Update - received the cowl tag info and it matches the BS and the VIN perfectly. :thumbsup: Going to see the car tomorrow morning prior to going to work - just want to get a general sense that everything is on the up and up. (first thing will be to take a look at the hood pins, or lack thereof). Then on Friday will spend the day going over it with a fine tooth comb...crossing the fingers for the numbers matching.

Check for signs of a front hit collision!!! You already say the grille might be wrong, the core support should have pins/pin holes also look for elongated holes in frame where stuff mounts, and maybe even signs of the frame beng pulled. Look at firewall where fenders bolt on, look at bumper mounting areas too.

Still sounds like a good deal, but he may be playing dumb, knowing exactly what it is/was and what's been replaced.

Bowtie....agreed. I honestly don't think he knows what he has. He has owned it for three years and bought if off his boss. His boss bought it off the original owner. I had to explain to him the cowl tag info and where to look for it...he honestly didn't know what it is or where located.

I'll definitely be checking for damage....thanks.