Hello all, I am new here (obviously) and looking at purchasing a chevelle locally. I am scheduled to see the car Thursday but wanted to know what to look out for. Im not looking to spend a bundle. I just want something really good looking and driveable while I work on it. I found this car on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170426437471&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Im 80% sure its not a true SS. He also lists it as a 72 but from the turn signals it looks like a 71. I just want to know some things to look out for when I go and look at this car. I dont want to make a really stupid investment in my dream car. All the radio crap will come out so Im not worried about that.
My main questions are (so far):

-What is the history of the car
-What is the vin
-Do they have the protecto plate
-Any frame damage
-Ever in any accidents
-What was the original engine
-Was it ever column shift or always floor shift
-Disc brakes or all drums
-Power steering and Power brakes

If you all can give me any more insight on what to ask and what to look for to make a wise investment I would really really appreciate it. Thank you all in advance and hope you all had a great holiday.

Mike
New Jersey

Welcome to TC................

The interior door panels are Malibu but the car is not a Malibu. It was born with a 350 4 bbl under the hood. It's not an SS because only the Malibu models got the SS option and it does not have an SS type dash. The grille & head lights are 72 but turn signals are 71, it has PS & PB. I think it started life as a straight stick and the VIN is listed in the auction.............

A ton of changes (too many to list) have been made to the car which is either good or bad depending on what YOU want.

My thoughts - Former race car with no original drive train, so I wouldn't worry about a Protecto Plate. That rear gear with a spool is going to be miserable 99% of the time on the street. Weird rear stripes that stop at the edge of the trunk. That has to be one of the most expensive exhaust systems ever put on a chevelle, what did they charge by the inch? Would have been a nice car to buy before he "invested" all that money in wheels, tires, exhaust, stereo, etc. Suspect the reserve is pretty high. If the body is rust free, and it may be if it spent a lot of time as a drag only car, it could be a great start for a high perf street car. But, if you're worried about Protecto plates, matching numbers, true SS, etc, this probably isn't the car for you, since it is none of these. Good luck, Jim.

His reserve is 12500. I was planning on offering him 10500 depending on what I saw. Do you feel it's a dumb investment? If it's not a Malibu and it's not an SS then what can it be? Why would the spool be bad on the road?

His reserve is 12500. I was planning on offering him 10500 depending on what I saw. Do you feel it's a dumb investment? If it's not a Malibu and it's not an SS then what can it be? Why would the spool be bad on the road?

Spools are made for straight line drag racing and lack the use of spider gears needed to make turning easier. Spools are specifically designed for racing.

His reserve is 12500.Why would the spool be bad on the road?

I had a rear end welded once when I was 16 - (Same thing as a spool) and THE worst thing I have ever done to a vehicle, It was a stick shift and if you were going around a corner everything was squeeling & bound up and it made it hard to shift. (while turning) - You definately DON'T want the spool for street driving.

LK

His reserve is 12500. I was planning on offering him 10500 depending on what I saw. Do you feel it's a dumb investment? If it's not a Malibu and it's not an SS then what can it be? Why would the spool be bad on the road?

A plain Chevelle model; they offered a "Heavy Chevy" option on this model but need original paper work to prove it.......

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to pass on it. If I am going to invest the money into a chevelle I want to know exactly what Im getting. I found a 71 Chevelle SS with a non matching 454 in it I may look into. They want 18,000 for it which seems reasonable to me for a 4 speed, correct paint and interior according to the trim tag and VIN.

3K for rims and tires.:clonk:

Better yet, $3k for ugly rims and tires.

pass on it....
lots going on...with it... and really think something that is your first should be a little more tangible and credible for the buck.

I'm guessing it's a good one to pass on as well...I bet you'd spend more time trying to keep this thing on the road than you would cruzing and enjoying it.

Mike I'm also in NJ (near the Princeton area),,,I'm no expert but I've been around these cars for a while. If I can ever help drop me a line.

Good Luck and remember 'the hunt' is half the fun !

Mike, dont go into it as investing X number of dollars. Investments should make you money in the long run. A chevelle is going to cost you money to own it. For most of us, its a money losing proposition. But is it worth it? yes! If you have the cash. Make a list of must haves. Say bucket seats, 4 speed, stereo etc. and start your search, now is definetly the time to buy, just take your time. jim

If it's rust free, it could be a great car for someone who wanted a modified, non matching number car for 12,500. Lots of potential, in my mind, the rear stripes would bother me the most, although I'm not a fan of those wheels either. Jim