After reading this forum extensively, asking a few questions and soliciting a few opinions, I got my Chevelle about six weeks ago. Everyone's help here was instrumental in this. I started out looking for a 70, 71 or 72, but ended up with a 69 (that year just started to grow on me for some reason). Its been in and out of the shop with a few issues since I got it, but I think its at least close to good to go now. Spent some time detailing it out a bit and thought I'd share a few pictures. The gentleman I bought it from put it together for his daughter, she drove it for a while, and then ended up wanting a more "regular" type of car. Its a Malibu (California car), originally a 350/Turbo 350 car. The original motor was replaced with a 350 from a 69 El Camino, with a four bolt main, and a modern ignition. Most of the interior is new: door panels front and back, headliner, carpet and dash pad. All of the rubber weatherstripping and rubber molding are new, as well as rechromed bumpers front and back. It has factory air now blowing cold (I had to have a new blower motor put in), as well as power front disc brakes. It has a pretty nice Hugger Orange paint job done five or six years ago, with the 70 spec stripes, and all emblems removed and holes welded in. Only rust I could find is on the passenger side inner fender well, so I am planning to replace those with plastic as funds allow. The battery tray looks like it will need some attention as well. Also, the odometer doesn't work. The front bench seat obviously needs to be re-covered, but along with the car, the seller gave me two buckets with brand new covers already installed, the seat rails, a new back seat cover to match the fronts, a Horseshoe shifter and cable, a console, and a tilt steering column. He also threw in a like new looking SS tach with the gauges around it. He never got around to installing all of this stuff, so I'll have it done someday. For the time being, I will just enjoy it how it sits now. What do you guys think, the good, the bad and the ugly?



http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt269/jusrlax/?albumview=grid

I like it, it looks like a really nice car.:thumbsup:

Rob

Looks real good Mark. Congrats on your purchase. :thumbsup:

It looks like a good one to start with. The things that come with it allow you to personalize the car without a lot of further expense and learn about these cars.

Hope it is everything you want it to be until the next one.....and the next one......and all those beyond.

Thats awesome congratulations! I just purchased mine. A 72 SS with a 350 I cant wait to get it! Z

nice i got a 69 also but not in that condition, was orignally thinking huggar orange but after looking at that car i am jealous its sweet looking congrads

That's a nice one! Congrats. :thumbsup:

Thanks, guys. I am cursed with the combination of liking old cars but having very limited mechanical ability (I am an Accountant). From reading here, I came to the conclusion that I would be money ahead (especially with how the toy market is now) if I bought something that was already done or close to done, and learn to love that car. I started out looking at $8k-$10k cars, saw quite a bit of junk, and decided to raise my budget some so that I could have a nice driver without (hopefully) having to constantly put more funds into it. As far as the Hugger Orange, it wouldn't have been my first choice (plus my wife hates it), but it has grown on me some.

Good looking car!

Looks good!!

You selected the perfect year! Great looking car,,confrats. have fun with it !

Nice car, I'm jelous - You have AC. :D

LK