Hello all and thank you everyone for your valuable input. I am going to start my search for a 70-72 Chevelle and I have a view criteria I would like to meet. One I would like it to be a summer driver not a car you park in a climate controlled room and go out and rub it down every so often. I do however have a climate controlled space to store it in the winter here in Minneapolis. I tend to research the hell out of all my purchases, I am just dipping my toes in the water now on my research.

I would like a hugger orange convertible 70-72, my budget is about 25K. I need advise on where to start and how to research and what to look for as I begin my quest for my Chevelle. Any words of advise you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome Dave, you certainly came to the right site for advice. As for a Huggger Orange drop top for 25K, that may be a bit of a stretch. I think you need to look around at all the current sites that advertise 70-72 Chevelles to get a feel for the market. Also you need to be a little more specific in your search. Are you looking for a true SS car or will a well done clone suit your needs? Check around and if you find a car that peaks your interest, gather as much info AND pictures of the car. Then comeback to the WIW section and ask for everyones' opinion, believe me they'll give you an honest opinion about the car. Good luck hunting!!:thumbsup:

How about this one...While it is not my sought after orange, what do you think the value of this car is?

http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds/photoads/corwin0309/index.html

Dave, here's a car for comparison. It's a 70 drop top clone with a very nice body on it. I think this car is a deal for the money and it looks like it was, as it sold immediately.

http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds/photoads/corwin0309/index.html

Dave, you beat me to it while I was posting the last reply. That car was a very good deal IMO and it sold right away, what's that tell you. I would have bought that car in a second had I been in the market for a drop top. The point being here, if this car were an original Hugger Orange car, I believe the price would be substancially more. Hugger Orange, I believe usually denotes a real SS car and they command significantly more money if done somewhat correctly. A true 70 SS Hugger Orange vert done rather correctly may be in the 40/60K or more range depending on quality and options.

25k can buy alot of car in this market. A member recently sold a 71/72 convertible documented SS NOM for 22k, and it was a nice car. For 25k you should have no problem finding a 71/72 vert nicely done clone, or documented SS. I have seen many selling at these prices. Hugger Orange may take a little while to find, but you can always have one painted. ;)

What is the best source to find quality cars? Ebay has to be a HUGE crap shoot suggestions on where to look?

Dave, you beat me to it while I was posting the last reply. That car was a very good deal IMO and it sold right away, what's that tell you. I would have bought that car in a second had I been in the market for a drop top. The point being here, if this car were an original Hugger Orange car, I believe the price would be substancially more. Hugger Orange, I believe usually denotes a real SS car and they command significantly more money if done somewhat correctly. A true 70 SS Hugger Orange vert done rather correctly may be in the 40/60K or more range depending on quality and options.
How do you know it is sold?

How about this one, in my back yard no less!

http://www.musclecarsonsale.com/muscle-cars-for-sale/l0878.php

nice, but overpriced IMO. I would not want to pay 30K for a car that needs power brakes.

and stay away from dealers.

How about this one, in my back yard no less!

http://www.musclecarsonsale.com/muscle-cars-for-sale/l0878.php

nice car...its just more of a weekend cruise car/or take it down the track once in awhile toy.
To make it "look" pseudo correct would require the dash and disc brakes..and that point,you might as well look at more correct cars for 25-30K
I venture 18-20K for that car,and it would be all about the paint/bodywork quality and hopefully the drivetrain was no $800 454 transplant/engine paint from a Suburban that never saw a rebuild ;)

..and did ANYONE notice that it started life as a 72 Malibu????? :rolleyes:

it appears to be a nice car if you are not concerned about originality..so pay accordingly
at least it has the correct "round hole" upper alternator bracket :D

How do you know it is sold?

I called him a day after it was listed for a friend of mine. Sold 6K deposit!

I say just find a 70-72 Malibu 'vert with the right color top and interior. Worry about the orange later. Don't get caught up in all this true ss monkey business or whatever. I'll bet you could find a halfway decent one of those for 15-18 grand. Pay someone the rest of your $25k budget to full paint it in orange. :thumbsup:

Dave, here's a car for comparison. It's a 70 drop top clone with a very nice body on it. I think this car is a deal for the money and it looks like it was, as it sold immediately.

http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds/photoads/corwin0309/index.html

WOW!

That thing is gorgeous. Great price.

:thumbsup:

RMX

Another good site to go to is cars on line.

Here is a link to Chevelles: http://www.cars-on-line.com/chevelle.html

Thanks everyone for the input...I love the car that was up on this sites classifieds. I wish I would have found it sooner. I am out of my depth as I just know enough to be dangerous, I am very nervous about my future purchase so I appreciate the hand holding.

Dave,
Hi and welcome to Team Chevelle. And as the name implies,,Team,,meaning we do better at this together than alone.

My experience tells me that you can get a lot of car for 20K - 25K. Take a look at the pic in my signature. It's a 69 drop top that has had a complete frame off with NOS replacements fenders and quarters, power top, new interior, buckets, floor consul. Car is super clean,,and I mean clean! And it has one hell of a paint job on it,,I paid $17K . Although it did have a small block, manual steering and drum brakes. (but not anymore!- just finishing a BB conversion with power steering, ft disks and ps).

When the SS tribute is finished I'll have $22K into the car,,(sold the small block and tranny)but it could have been driven the way it was when purchased (even if just adding the disk and PS)

I found the car on EBay went to look at it and won the auction. Despite it's flaws,,EBay is still a good way to search. But you can also check out Hemming and Auto Trader which has a section for classic cars. Also go to local car shows, cruzin-in's,,if you network into the culture things pop up.

Good luck,,I'm sure you'll do well (the orange may be a bit of a stickler on the search, but its out there). BTW I'd look hard at the one for sale on our site http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds/photoads/corwin0309/index.html (it's still looks like it's for sale)

The 70 mentioned above is a perfect example of this market. If a car is priced at value it will sell and pretty quickly. Focus in on exactly what you want and be prepared to act. So many people let good buy after good buy slip by them and then get frustrated; then buy something they really do not want at too much money.

Dave,
Hi and welcome to Team Chevelle. And as the name implies,,Team,,meaning we do better at this together than alone.

My experience tells me that you can get a lot of car for 20K - 25K. Take a look at the pic in my signature. It's a 69 drop top that has had a complete frame off with NOS replacements fenders and quarters, power top, new interior, buckets, floor consul. Car is super clean,,and I mean clean! And it has one hell of a paint job on it,,I paid $17K . Although it did have a small block, manual steering and drum brakes. (but not anymore!- just finishing a BB conversion with power steering, ft disks and ps).

When the SS tribute is finished I'll have $22K into the car,,(sold the small block and tranny)but it could have been driven the way it was when purchased (even if just adding the disk and PS)

I found the car on EBay went to look at it and won the auction. Despite it's flaws,,EBay is still a good way to search. But you can also check out Hemming and Auto Trader which has a section for classic cars. Also go to local car shows, cruzin-in's,,if you network into the culture things pop up.

Good luck,,I'm sure you'll do well (the orange may be a bit of a stickler on the search, but its out there). BTW I'd look hard at the one for sale on our site http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds/photoads/corwin0309/index.html (it's still looks like it's for sale)

Thanks so much for the response. The above car has been mentioned several times. I have e-mailed and called the seller a couple of times with no response. If it is sold he should tag it sold or simply respond as I would buy that car. I have to believe given the fact he has not responded it is sold.

Dave, I believe the car is waiting for transport and I also believe there is a waiting list if something should happen to the first deal.

Dave, I believe the car is waiting for transport and I also believe there is a waiting list if something should happen to the first deal.

:( a day late and a dollar short. I bet the seller feels like he left money on the table!

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160333737138&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

Dave with very little time left and looking like it might not meet reserve, you, me and the rest of the world have no idea what it will take to buy the car. Contact the owner by phone and do some research. Bring what you find back here.

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160333737138&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=


I believe he is looking for a convertible.

LK

I searched for 2 years to find a 70 Chevelle - you must have patience.

There is a lot of junk out there so be careful. I paid $31K for a perfect 10
Show Car. Car has $29K in receipts plus $10K for paint and the cost of the car. Has a Tremec 5 speed with 532HP.

Numbers matching cars are over rated - over priced and who really cares?

Not exactly what you're looking for but... (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Chevelle-Convertible-1969-Chevelle-Convertible_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ300314433225QQs spagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101)

Wait, this one's ready for paint...but a few miles away. (http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1135408218.html)

This one looks pretty good too (http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/cto/1128121549.html)

I searched for 2 years to find a 70 Chevelle - you must have patience.

There is a lot of junk out there so be careful. I paid $31K for a perfect 10
Show Car. Car has $29K in receipts plus $10K for paint and the cost of the car. Has a Tremec 5 speed with 532HP.

Numbers matching cars are over rated - over priced and who really cares?

Where did you end up finding yours?