[Pboomer03]

So ive been reading posts on Heavy Chevy's and read lots of opinions. Im looking to get some newer insight on a path to take with my Heavy Chevy. I have a 71 HC (Vin 134371) and am trying to figure out if 1) I go back to as original as possible or 2) go rogue with it (make it a driver with personal taste touches) or 3) SS Clone. Pics are attached. I have no plans to sell, but also would like to be cognizant of ROI when investing this kind of money into a muscle car.

I know they are rare but not sure how they hold value in the current and foreseeable market.

Thanks in advance for the input

Paul

 

[toofastforyou]

I'd go the "SS" clone way…but that's me. :yes:

Claude.

 

[SS4Real]

I'd go any way but the SS clone.....

 

[HKalin]

When I bought my car I felt it had a lot of potential to become a nice street car. I've got involved with detailing my car out and made changes while I went along. I don't believe in turning a non SS car into one and I'm more than satisfied with having a "Plain Jane" Malibu personalized to my own liking.

 

[dell72]

I've always liked the look of the "HEAVY CHEVY". Something different from the usual SS & SS clones. No offense to the Super Sport guys, I just enjoy cars that aren't seen as much and a little different from the norm. Think about how many Heavy Chevy's you've seen as car shows and cruise nights. There are probably people out there who have never heard of or seen one. JMO

 

[depley]

original, Heavy Chevy is different from everything else, much more attention than a run of the mill clone SS

 

[Pboomer03]

I agree, ive been to a few car shows and SS's definitely own them. I really like the black heavy chevys, one recently sold but it doesnt say price (http://www.onlinemotorsports.com/detail-1971-chevrolet-chevelle-heavy_chevy-used-10410846.html) The real question is, will they hold their value relative to the $ it takes to dial them in?

 

[NickeyChevelle]

original, Heavy Chevy is different from everything else, much more attention than a run of the mill clone SS

I agree. I believe(and have absolutely no data whatsoever to back me up on my opinion) that a real (faithfully restored) Heavy Chevy would be worth more than a clone of an SS...

She looks bitchin' as is, and she'll look even better with the Heavy Chevy graphics.

 

[RAMBO]

Heavy Chevy is cool on its own. If you know it is one, and like the looks, then go for it.

Resale value will reflect how well you are able to recreate the heavy chevy only bits (interior stuff really), and the overall build quality of the car.

I think a well done, tastefully updated (thinking drivetrain & suspension since the HC wasn't much to write home about performance wise) a True Heavy chevy will out value a comperable SS Clone, simply because its something different and "real"

I have nothing to back that up though, just my thoughts

 

[grr456]

A friend of mine bought a 71 or 72 Heavy Chevy brand new. I think it had a 454, but not 100% sure. I know it wasn't a small block. After I got out of the Army in 1972, we took a trip to NYC from Michigan. I just remember that car being one of the slowest BB cars I had ever been in and it only got something like 8 mpg. It is a good thing gas was about 30cents per gallon...

I am kinda glad they don't build things the way they used to...

Just my .02.....grr

 

[cherry72ss]

I would keep the car as a real HC. I have an SS clone myself, but if it was a real heavy chevy I would want it to stay that way. Add the graphics and it will look cool and its something you don't see all the time.

 

[chuckd71]

ROI is going to basically zero, and this isn't really an investment in that respect. You'll put more in than you'll ever get out. Which option is your favorite? Heavy Chevy would be less commonly seen than an SS, if individuality matter to you at all.

 

[BBarrRanch]

Back in High school one of my best friends had a blue Heavy Chevy. The car was an awesome shade of blue and my buddy had it repainted and customized the stripes on the side by making them wider than the factory decals, his were painted on. I sure wish I had a picture but in my opinion Heavys are awesome !! So many good memories in that car !! I have not seen one anywhere in my travels for years.

 

[68Cpe307]

Another vote for HC or to your own taste and no to clone.

 

[VinceS427bb]

outside heavy chevy
inside nicer

 

[1966_L78]

IMO,

Its all up to what YOU want out of the car... MY first choice would be to go "rogue" as you called it... make it your own, but I think the Heavy Chevy decals/stripes look cool...

Are you going to drive it a lot? Or park it at shows? Spend the time/money/effort on a "correct" NC interior?

I see nothing wrong with SS clones, and I think a "proper" clone (BB, dash, etc) will bring more value than a comparable HC (the exception might be a matching numbers BB HC)...

I also think for a "driver", the HC is cool, because it isn't seen very often, and it still have somewhat of a "performance" look to it...


Personally, I like the 71-72 SS wheels better than the HC wheels, but that's just me... At one time I even considered using the 71/72 SS wheels and Heavy Chevy decals on my '70, because its kind of an obscure, but cool model... And you can really screw with some people's minds with a heavy Chevy...

 

[Pboomer03]

From the sounds of it a HC would definitely be unique, I love the look and think going to an SS clone might not be worth it. Given the number of clones out there right i like the idea of not going with the crowd (even though SS clones look sweet).

 

[Pboomer03]

1966_L78 - I will drive this whenever i can. I will go to the shows but my whole plan with this is to have a car that i can use whenever i want.

 

[DaleM]

A friend of mine bought a 71 or 72 Heavy Chevy brand new. I think it had a 454, but not 100% sure. I know it wasn't a small block. After I got out of the Army in 1972, we took a trip to NYC from Michigan. I just remember that car being one of the slowest BB cars I had ever been in and it only got something like 8 mpg. It is a good thing gas was about 30cents per gallon...

I am kinda glad they don't build things the way they used to...

Just my .02.....grr

No 454 in a HC, 402 yes. The 454 was reserved exclusively for the Malibu with Z15 SS option, in fact the 454 required the SS option and that was only available in the Malibu series. If it was a 72 and TH400 it could have had the 2.73:1 rear end which would make a relatively heavy car (no pun intended) slow to react.

Actually gas was about $0.55-$0.60 a gallon in 72 according to multiple results of a Google search. That's $3.12-$3.41 in 2014 dollars. Not such a good deal when one looks back on it.

So ive been reading posts on Heavy Chevy's and read lots of opinions. Im looking to get some newer insight on a path to take with my Heavy Chevy. I have a 71 HC (Vin 134371) and am trying to figure out if 1) I go back to as original as possible or 2) go rogue with it (make it a driver with personal taste touches) or 3) SS Clone. Pics are attached. I have no plans to sell, but also would like to be cognizant of ROI when investing this kind of money into a muscle car.

Paul

If, IF it's a documented YF3 car meaning you have paperwork showing RPO YF3 was ordered with it I'd definitely keep it YF3 - stripes, base interior and all - no Malibu seats, door panels, carpet, etc. If you just think it is a Heavy Chevy but have no docs on it then build to your taste.

True Heavy Chevy's aren't that common to find, documented ones even fewer, and documented black ones are probably fairly rare although almost 40% of all 13437 sport coupes were optioned with it You can always upgrade the engine for performance and if you have the original engine, stash it away with all the correct brackets/nuts/bolts/pieces.

ROI is really dependent on the quality of the car, how much you can do to keep costs down and how much needs to be farmed out. However, if you're looking to flip the car for a profit...well...probably not going to happen. :thumbsup:

 

[Pboomer03]

No 454 in a HC, 402 yes. The 454 was reserved exclusively for the Malibu with Z15 SS option, in fact the 454 required the SS option and that was only available in the Malibu series. If it was a 72 and TH400 it could have had the 2.73:1 rear end which would make a relatively heavy car (no pun intended) slow to react.

Actually gas was about $0.55-$0.60 a gallon in 72 according to multiple results of a Google search. That's $3.12-$3.41 in 2014 dollars. Not such a good deal when one looks back on it.


If, IF it's a documented YF3 car meaning you have paperwork showing RPO YF3 was ordered with it I'd definitely keep it YF3 - stripes, base interior and all - no Malibu seats, door panels, carpet, etc. If you just think it is a Heavy Chevy but have no docs on it then build to your taste.

True Heavy Chevy's aren't that common to find, documented ones even fewer, and documented black ones are probably fairly rare although almost 40% of all 13437 sport coupes were optioned with it You can always upgrade the engine for performance and if you have the original engine, stash it away with all the correct brackets/nuts/bolts/pieces.

ROI is really dependent on the quality of the car, how much you can do to keep costs down and how much needs to be farmed out. However, if you're looking to flip the car for a profit...well...probably not going to happen. :thumbsup:

Doesn't the 13437 start to the vin indicate the heavy chevy package? Would i need to provide a build sheet in order to verify it is an original HC? Did they produce a non heavy chevy with the 13437 vin?

http://macswebs.com/yf3registry/tech/71guide.htm