[InmanChev]

Hi everyone. I’m just looking for opinions.

I’m in the middle of a long running frame off restoration of a ‘72 ss coupe.

the car is kinda unique in that it came from the factory with a small block and 3 spd on the floor and bench seat.

In the resto, I have been putting things back to factory except in a few instances. I added a classic auto air conditioner, and in the rebuild did put an aluminum intake and edelbrock carb on there.

Here’s the question: should I go all in on a more factory correct driveline and even put the original manifold and 2bbl on, or should I install the 454 and Muncie 4 spd I have sitting in my shop.

why do I ask? Well, I’m not sure I care at the moment, but big block Chevelles sure seem to have more value in the market. Would my unique little 350 SS be of interest? I think so.

So what do you think?

why or why not?

 

[RAIDER SS]

Sure sounds like you are mostly considering market value versus what YOU want to drive, so is that why you ask? Looking to sell it for the most money possible?

I'm not an expert on 72's, but the only thing that resembles "unique" would be the 3 speed. I think that was the standard offering of transmission, so somebody did not pay to upgrade to a 4 speed or AT. And non-optioned cars are the least desirable versions.

IMHO - if you have a great running BB & 4 speed - that installed would probably grab more money versus the original drivetrain, as that combo would be more desirable. With the aftermarket AC it's not a pure stock car anyway.

 

[69SS454]

It's your car. Build the car you like and don't try to please everyone else. It is easy to change an engine later unlike paint color that you are stuck with.

 

[InmanChev]

It's your car. Build the car you like and don't try to please everyone else. It is easy to change an engine later unlike paint color that you are stuck with.

That’s the course I’m on. I’m going mostly back to what it was from the factory except I live in SC and wanted AC. And Raider has it right, it’s not a highly optioned car so it probably isn’t a big deal. I just figured it would be worth some discussion.

I hope to make progress in 2023. Hardest thing to find during the restoration has been time.

 

[shovelrick]

Put the 454 & 4 spd in the car save the 350 & 3 spd for Resale value, put it in storage under a work bench

 

[BillyGman]

So you have this cool classic car that you're restoring, and you're going to simply base your performance choices for this car on how much money you might get for it when you sell it? I don't mean to come across as being arrogant, but do you even like Chevelles?

 

[DZAUTO]

So you have this cool classic car that you're restoring, and you're going to simply base your performance choices for this car on how much money you might get for it when you sell it? I don't mean to come across as being arrogant, but do you even like Chevelles?

I sorta kinda got to go along with this. VERY EARLY Corvettes (57-earlier) and 72-earlier Chevelles are my passion. Thus, future value is NOT a concern of mine. I have them because that is what I like and I do what I personally like to have on them. Neither our 56 Corvette nor our 70 Chevelle are factory correct. They have upgrades and improvements and bigger engines than what was in them when built.
So, if future value is your goal, then spend as little as necessary to increase your investment----------------------------but if having a cool Chevelle that you really like and enjoy is your goal, then any expense is justified for whatever you want.
When the 64 Chevelle came out, I was in the Army, then pre-med after that and I never had an income to make car payments until 72 when I bought my first Chevelle (lost it in a divorce 4yrs later). Finally, in 98, I was able to acquire our present 70 conv, which is in the family to stay this time. I don't care what it costs, whatever is needed will get done. Same for the 56 Vette. It started our as just a plain 56 Corvette. Today, it's a wolf in sheep's skin and I love it!

 

[InmanChev]

So you have this cool classic car that you're restoring, and you're going to simply base your performance choices for this car on how much money you might get for it when you sell it? I don't mean to come across as being arrogant, but do you even like Chevelles?

Ouch. I'll say again, just looking for prevailing opinions and for a little fun. I even wrote I'm not sure I care at the moment about the value thing. Trust me, if it were about the money, I'd already have bucket seats on order and the BB mated to the Muncie. I actually think I'll enjoy it being more unique and I like the (current) oddity of the bench and 3 on the floor (most 3 spds were on the tree if I recall). Real question is should I ditch the edelbrock and go back to the 2bbl intake?

Love Chevelles. The big block is earmarked for my '67 impala, if you want to know the truth. It has just been sitting around the shop for a while and I figured I'd ask the audience. The muncie? I don't know what the muncie will go into. Might just hang it on the wall.

I figured people would provide opinions, not get all spun up about what I might or might not do based on the opinions of others. 'merica these days.

Now, next question: Should I ditch the crappy old Z28 SS rims for some 22" rims? What do you guys think? 😀

 

[The Camaro Guy]

Bench seats were popular back in the day before seat belt laws so your honey could sit right next to you and. . . . . well you get the idea!

 

[NickeyChevelle]

The obvious answer is to install a lookalike SBC Electric Motor from Webb Motorworks! Webb Motorworks | Electric Crate Motor | Small Block & Flathead

Just kidding...................... Maybe.

 

[InmanChev]

The obvious answer is to install a lookalike SBC Electric Motor from Webb Motorworks! Webb Motorworks | Electric Crate Motor | Small Block & Flathead

Just kidding...................... Maybe.

Oof. Can't go electric. Yet. I still like the aggravation and sound of ICE.

 

[RPS]

Oddball combinations are more interesting to me. Go to a car show and you'll see big block after big block and all sorts of optioned out cars.

My 66 SS396 is going together as an example of a base model. Bench seat, HD 3 speed, open diff, etc.

My someday 70 Chevelle is also a base model with six cylinder, three on the tree, rubber floor mat, etc. While most would jerk it over to be a clone ss, production number wise it's as rare as an LS6 70 Chevelle.

Rare, but no one cares. It's up to you.

 

[RPS]

Oh, and I don't care about resale value, that will be my non-gearhead kids' problem when I'm gone.

 

[boyd66k20]

 

[InmanChev]

Oddball combinations are more interesting to me. Go to a car show and you'll see big block after big block and all sorts of optioned out cars.

My 66 SS396 is going together as an example of a base model. Bench seat, HD 3 speed, open diff, etc.

My someday 70 Chevelle is also a base model with six cylinder, three on the tree, rubber floor mat, etc. While most would jerk it over to be a clone ss, production number wise it's as rare as an LS6 70 Chevelle.

Rare, but no one cares. It's up to you.

Love it. That’s the mindset I have had while getting to this point. Can’t tell you how many red chevelles with black interiors I have seen.

Mine is (was) midnight bronze and will be again.

“Rare but no one cares” is a great quote. Might put that on the license plate frame.

 

[blm]

I’d venture to say a lot more people would be interested in a big block/4speed car than a small block anything. Very few are concerned about matching numbers on a small block.
Big block and 4 speed are way more fun. I’ve owned mine 24 years and have never tired of it.

 

[blm]

Bench seats were popular back in the day before seat belt laws so your honey could sit right next to you and. . . . . well you get the idea!

Well I kinda think bench seats were popular with those that didn’t want to fork over the money for buckets. A girl sitting next to you was a 60s/70s thing. Just like hitch hiking and bell bottoms. When was the last time you saw any of those three things?
A girl sitting next to the driver was a by product of the bench seat. The bucket seat was the more desired item back in the day and is to this day. As far as that goes back in 73 I had a 67 Camaro with a 4 speed and a console. When there were three of us in the Camaro my girlfriend at the time would sit on the console between the buckets so nobody would have to sit in the back seat. Dumb I know but that’s what we did back then.

 

[66rat]

Love Chevelles. The big block is earmarked for my '67 impala, if you want to know the truth. It has just been sitting around the shop for a while and I figured I'd ask the audience. The muncie? I don't know what the muncie will go into. Might just hang it on the wall.

Did you say "67 Impala"? I like 67 Impalas, especially when they're of the big block variety.

 

[hydro462]

Always big block on a street engine.
-Keep compression around 8.5-9.3 and use factory cam specs.
-Quadrajet intake and carburetor.
-Keep rear end ratios 3.00 or lower, the 2.73 is my favorite with a 27-28" diameter rear tire.
-If automatic, the Th-400 is unbeatible. It has a real strong coupling converter and a real strong stator so long as your using a high off idle torque cam with a 2 series rear end ratio to give the converter something to dig into.
-Its not how hi the horsepower peaks but how long the engine can stay in the upper horsepower range.

I'd put a seventies low compression 454 truck motor in it with the three speed and a 3.23 10 or 12 bolt, no posi.Having the column shift with all that torque would be such a fun car to drive.

Happy motoring..

 

[InmanChev]

Did you say "67 Impala"? I like 67 Impalas, especially when they're of the big block variety. View attachment 757961

Yeah, it was my son's and my first project. 67 SS. It has a small block in it with a TH400. Have had the big block on the side waiting to go into it for a few years now. It currently has a 12 bolt 2.73 open diff in it. I have a 3.73 posi 12 bolt in the shop that's going to go into it if I ever get to it. As it stands today it's a fun one to drive around and you just don't see many Impalas these days. I have too many fun projects.