I am starting a frame up on a 1970 chevelle convertible Big block 396 its kind of weid that this car wasnt an SS since it also came with a 4 speed I am all new to this and I had wanted to make it an SS clone will this hurt the value of the car?

Do you have any feedback on the pro touring class how does this affect the value of the car

If it was my car, I'd be proud to display a malibu 400 conv. You won't see another one in the same field. I don't have any production figures on your car but I'd bet it's just a few hundred. :thumbsup:

Jerry

So, you're saying your car came from the factory originally with a 396 (actually it was a 402) and a 4-speed? I don't know specific production numbers but I can't imagine there were a lot equiped like this. In the past, a lot of these original BB non-SS cars have been cloned so there are even fewer running around as they left the factory.

I'm a guy who like originality so I'm not one to ask about pro touring. If it was mine, I'd be leaving it intact as it came from the factory but that is just one guys opinion. It is your car. Do that which makes you happy! :thumbsup:

Steve, here's a good DVD by Hot Rod Mag. about a 70 vertible restoration. I watch it alot to learn floorpans, etc.

http://www.howtoasap.com/hotrod.html

I have a 1970 chevelle convertable which I am getting ready to restore and I am getting mixed vibes about how to do it Some car enthusiests tell me to go pro touring class and others are telling me to restore it back to original its not an SS but does have a 396 and a 4 speed in it I had wanted to clone it Is that a good idea

I have a 1970 chevelle convertable which I am getting ready to restore and I am getting mixed vibes about how to do it Some car enthusiests tell me to go pro touring class and others are telling me to restore it back to original its not an SS but does have a 396 and a 4 speed in it I had wanted to clone it Is that a good idea

Factory 396 / 4-spd in a non-ss 1970 convertible? Restore it to original, IMO.

Would making it a clone hurt the value engine and trans numbers match

Thank you for the info about the DVD I am actually doing the floor pan and trunk pan over I purchased whole pans with all the braces pre installed along with the rocker panels I am basicly replacing the whole rear end of the car

Great looking car you have there Is that chevey torch red my cars original color is cranberry red

is the motor original to the or numbers matching?if the 396 motor is original and its just a malibu then you have a rare car.check out this link

http://www.malibu400.com/

if it not numbers matching do what you want.good luck

If you don't have the original engine and trans, modify away.
If you restore it back to orginal, what motor and trans are you planning on using?

http://www.shapeconsulting.com/malibu400/index.htm

check this out

Is the engine #'s matching or not? I think that would be the deciding factor for me. It all depends on what you want the car to do for you! I love a good muscle car to drive, but the restored originals also have their place in the hobby.

Steve, your head's probably spinning if you indeed have an actual malibu 400 conv. According to robo3's link, the production totals for your car are very low, maybe in the single digits! I know this is conjecture, but it would seem that if someone in that era was ordering a big block in a non SS car, it was because they wanted the grunt but couldn't pony up for the extra dough or that they plainly didn't want the "kid's car" notariety. Because of that theory, I would say the common breakdown of prod. numbers wouldn't apply here and that if someone ordered a convertible they already had the funds and didn't care about the sporty look. IMHO, they probably wanted it for towing which would lean favorably towards the larger cars, maybe station wagons or 4 door versions. Food for thought.:D

Jerry

The numbers match and the motor is a 402 I just checked it

My head is totally spinning right now