Hello everyone, I'm Kelly Williams. I have a 1972 Chevelle Malibu that I purchased in 1987 shortly after my 18th birthday. The first time I laid eyes on it I was in love, but there was a problem, I had no $$. My dad had passed away a year before and I knew I was going to be receiving my portion of his social security when I turned 18 so I asked the guy if he would hold it. He wanted $5,500 ( over priced at the time because they were still bunches of them on the road, but I didn't care). He said if I gave him $500 towards the price he would hold it for me, so we wrote out an agreement and I gave the man $500. Three months later I gave him $5,000 cash and he signed the title, a week after my birthday. ( Yes SS paid that fast then). 33 years later, I am about to title it in my name, long story, get comfortable...... Back to when I got it. I was elated, boy I had a hot rod. Not an SS but had a hot 307 with 202 heads and a cowl induction hood. That 307 was built by a local machine shop and it would dance! There wasn't many cars in Arlington Texas that had anything on me light to light. All that go and not enough whoa!!!! 4 wheel, manual drum brakes. I washed it every week, by hand, talked sweet to it...oh yeah, love I tell ya. Plus it was the last thing my dad bought me, it was money from his labor. A few months later a @##@# pulled out in front of me and my beautiful car was crunched. I was going 60 , locked up the brakes and smashed into his BMW with the right front of my car. It did $7,000 in damage to my car and the insurance company was going to total it. Luckily I had a shoebox ( literally ) full of receipts that the previous owner invested in it and they chose to fix it. Me and my Chevelle spent time in the body shop over that deal. I locked up my right knee standing on the brake pedal and the impact caused some cracked cartilage that had to be removed. The luckiest part was I got it slowed down enough that it just barely bent the right frame horn. I got it back from the body shop just after I was able to walk with crutches, so good timing. A few months later I put my foot through that 307 and ejected no3 connecting rod through the side of the block, a couple of weeks before my 19th birthday. Being a brilliant teenager that already knew everything and didn't care I had already spent most of the insurance money from the accident, but I sure had lots and lots of fun. What follows was a string of stupid decisions that have actually turned out to be how, and why I still have the car. First being since I couldn't drive it there was no need for registration so why pay the title fee. I got a nice 350 four bolt from a local junk yard, had it built up with the remaining money and that's where progress stopped, and stared going backwards. I didn't have $ for a hoist so I removed the front clip so me and a buddy could lift the engine out, and we did. I moved to Houston shortly after that and drug the ole gal with me, in pieces. Over time the engine and my mags got stolen and I moved back to Arlington, Chevelle in tow. I got married, went through Lincoln tech, got all my ASE certifications achieving Master certification ( that I've kept up to this day) and moved to Indiana, Chevelle in tow. Divorce no1 comes around and the Chevelle is just an old junk car so no interest. Fast forward several years and divorce no.2 comes around ( my first two wives thought monogamy was a species of wood) and she wanted my Chevelle sold so she could get half. I will never forget the look on her face and her lawyer when I stated that I have never titled a Chevelle of any year, in any state in my life, I won that one. Wife no 3 hated the fact that I had anything from my past, the things you learn about someone AFTER you marry them. Over time it reached the point of " It's either me or the car" keep in mind I hadn't spent a penny on it or any time on it other than moving it around. So ex-wife no3 out the door and I still have the car. I was a single parent for a long time so no car money, life gets in the way, kids are expensive, then there's collage and so on. I've since moved to Florida, Chevelle in tow. I'm FINALLY at a point where I can start working on "Baby". I just started ordering parts and hopefully I'll get to drive it in the next year or so for the first time since I was 18. I'm including a picture of when I got it down here from Indiana. More pictures as I go. I've been enjoying reading about all the projects here and lots of " look out " tips and look forward to getting to know you folks.
![702709]( "702709")
New member + Chevelle I've had for 33 years
Kellyblues
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
Hello everyone, I'm Kelly Williams. I have a 1972 Chevelle Malibu that I purchased in 1987 shortly after my 18th birthday. The first time I laid eyes on it I was in love, but there was a problem, I had no $$. My dad had passed away a year before and I knew I was going to be receiving my portion of his social security when I turned 18 so I asked the guy if he would hold it. He wanted $5,500 ( over priced at the time because they were still bunches of them on the road, but I didn't care). He said if I gave him $500 towards the price he would hold it for me, so we wrote out an agreement and I gave the man $500. Three months later I gave him $5,000 cash and he signed the title, a week after my birthday. ( Yes SS paid that fast then). 33 years later, I am about to title it in my name, long story, get comfortable...... Back to when I got it. I was elated, boy I had a hot rod. Not an SS but had a hot 307 with 202 heads and a cowl induction hood. That 307 was built by a local machine shop and it would dance! There wasn't many cars in Arlington Texas that had anything on me light to light. All that go and not enough whoa!!!! 4 wheel, manual drum brakes. I washed it every week, by hand, talked sweet to it...oh yeah, love I tell ya. Plus it was the last thing my dad bought me, it was money from his labor. A few months later a @##@# pulled out in front of me and my beautiful car was crunched. I was going 60 , locked up the brakes and smashed into his BMW with the right front of my car. It did $7,000 in damage to my car and the insurance company was going to total it. Luckily I had a shoebox ( literally ) full of receipts that the previous owner invested in it and they chose to fix it. Me and my Chevelle spent time in the body shop over that deal. I locked up my right knee standing on the brake pedal and the impact caused some cracked cartilage that had to be removed. The luckiest part was I got it slowed down enough that it just barely bent the right frame horn. I got it back from the body shop just after I was able to walk with crutches, so good timing. A few months later I put my foot through that 307 and ejected no3 connecting rod through the side of the block, a couple of weeks before my 19th birthday. Being a brilliant teenager that already knew everything and didn't care I had already spent most of the insurance money from the accident, but I sure had lots and lots of fun. What follows was a string of stupid decisions that have actually turned out to be how, and why I still have the car. First being since I couldn't drive it there was no need for registration so why pay the title fee. I got a nice 350 four bolt from a local junk yard, had it built up with the remaining money and that's where progress stopped, and stared going backwards. I didn't have $ for a hoist so I removed the front clip so me and a buddy could lift the engine out, and we did. I moved to Houston shortly after that and drug the ole gal with me, in pieces. Over time the engine and my mags got stolen and I moved back to Arlington, Chevelle in tow. I got married, went through Lincoln tech, got all my ASE certifications achieving Master certification ( that I've kept up to this day) and moved to Indiana, Chevelle in tow. Divorce no1 comes around and the Chevelle is just an old junk car so no interest. Fast forward several years and divorce no.2 comes around ( my first two wives thought monogamy was a species of wood) and she wanted my Chevelle sold so she could get half. I will never forget the look on her face and her lawyer when I stated that I have never titled a Chevelle of any year, in any state in my life, I won that one. Wife no 3 hated the fact that I had anything from my past, the things you learn about someone AFTER you marry them. Over time it reached the point of " It's either me or the car" keep in mind I hadn't spent a penny on it or any time on it other than moving it around. So ex-wife no3 out the door and I still have the car. I was a single parent for a long time so no car money, life gets in the way, kids are expensive, then there's collage and so on. I've since moved to Florida, Chevelle in tow. I'm FINALLY at a point where I can start working on "Baby". I just started ordering parts and hopefully I'll get to drive it in the next year or so for the first time since I was 18. I'm including a picture of when I got it down here from Indiana. More pictures as I go. I've been enjoying reading about all the projects here and lots of " look out " tips and look forward to getting to know you folks.
![702709]( "702709")
1968 Malibu Sport Coupe, 489c.i. 590hp 600tq, TCI 200r4 Freakshow 3,600 stall, 3.73 12 bolt posi
Joined
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15,653 Posts
Welcome to Team Chevelle Kelly, BTDT with the "It's either Me or the "whatever" and I still have the "Whatevers" too LOL, only 1 divorce though so good luck on putting Baby back together so you can enjoy her 
Joined
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1,047 Posts
Welcome to the Forum. You have quite the story! I guess if there's a silver lining it's not only that you still have the car, but also that the aftermarket has come such a long way in the last few years. You can do way more with a build now than you could 15 or 20 years ago...there's never been a better time than now to do a build
This forum is a great resource so don't be afraid to ask questions. More times than I could count, I've received some great advice, recommendations, and constructive criticism from this forum, and I'm sure a lot of other members can say the same. Don't hesitate to post here if you need advice or just to bounce your ideas off of all the members who have done a build or two before.
Take a look through this thread too if you haven't done so yet: What have you done to your car that you would do different today? | Team Chevelle (chevelles.com)
This forum is a great resource so don't be afraid to ask questions. More times than I could count, I've received some great advice, recommendations, and constructive criticism from this forum, and I'm sure a lot of other members can say the same. Don't hesitate to post here if you need advice or just to bounce your ideas off of all the members who have done a build or two before.
Take a look through this thread too if you haven't done so yet: What have you done to your car that you would do different today? | Team Chevelle (chevelles.com)
Joined
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1,909 Posts
i bought my 66 in 1979 when i was a junior in high school.finally got it painted on july 5th and slowly putting it back together,my wife bugs me i should sell it.i tell her it will end up with the grandson or a nephew.but seems she would rather have the money.good luck and welcome aboard.
Joined
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41,598 Posts
Welcome aboard Kelly.
My story is just the opposite of yours, same wife for 63 years, same house for over 50 years, lived around Kansas City for over 83 years.
Told my wife that we might as well sell the 70 convertible since we don't have the money and I don't have the health to finish it and she said NO, we ain't selling it.
Thinking now, maybe I should sell my 69 and use the money to finish HER 70 convertible 454.
Good luck with the 72.
My story is just the opposite of yours, same wife for 63 years, same house for over 50 years, lived around Kansas City for over 83 years.
Told my wife that we might as well sell the 70 convertible since we don't have the money and I don't have the health to finish it and she said NO, we ain't selling it.
Thinking now, maybe I should sell my 69 and use the money to finish HER 70 convertible 454.
Good luck with the 72.
Joined
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3,758 Posts
Great story and welcome to your new family...in Team Chevelle where we all have a baby or two....
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18,738 Posts
Donnow about selling anything Dean, but sure wish hard you and the MRS can finish up that droptop while you can enjoy it!
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3,954 Posts
"Kelleyblues" what a story! the best part is after all these hurdles, you stil have your Chevelle. One of my previous girlfriends also once said to me "it's either me or the car"...i told her that she didn't have the right to say that expecting me to choose between the two. I was very firm about the fact that I had the car before I knew her and that there was no way I was going to sell it. So I turned the situation around and told her to make a choice... "take it or leave it"... She stayed.... (for a few years).
Now back to your car, if you can afford it, now's the time to "upgrade" it to a more modern drivetrain (LS engine and overdrive transmission) then restore the rest of the car and enjoy it and most important keep it forever!
Good luck with your '72!
Claude.
... (for a few years).Now back to your car, if you can afford it, now's the time to "upgrade" it to a more modern drivetrain (LS engine and overdrive transmission) then restore the rest of the car and enjoy it and most important keep it forever!
Good luck with your '72!
Claude.
Yes after 63 years you should finish HER car. Hell after 63 years you should buy her the London Bridge
Joined
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2,996 Posts
Two things I've learned from your story, Kelly. You're stubborn enough that you hung on to your car since 87, and, there's no sense giving you marriage advice. Just kidding. I'm still with wife number 2 for 36 years (since before you bought your Chevelle). The lesson I learned from wife number 1 was to marry a car girl. Get one who loves cars and buys you tools. Good Luck with your Chevelle, you sure deserve it!
Lol, the car isn't the only " whatever " I've chosen myself. Lol. Thanks for the welcome!Welcome to Team Chevelle Kelly, BTDT with the "It's either Me or the "whatever" and I still have the "Whatevers" too LOL, only 1 divorce though so good luck on putting Baby back together so you can enjoy her
Yeah I've been reading those stories. Obviously I'm among my kind
1968 Malibu Sport Coupe, 489c.i. 590hp 600tq, TCI 200r4 Freakshow 3,600 stall, 3.73 12 bolt posi
Joined
·
15,653 Posts
I did have to find a good home for a white pit bull I had in the early 80's that wouldn't let anyone in the house if I wasn't home including my first wife, it took 3 days for me to make that choice " her or the dog" that dog had more sense than I did at the time, he went to a real good home though...I should have kept the dog
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