Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Quite an undertaking, I admire your efforts. Are the four you listed from the registry?

Be very interesting to see how many are out there.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

I have actually met 2 of the three other owners. Of the total, three are TC members and one is not a computer guy.

Of the 4, three are restored and one is a 46k survivor with minor restoration under the hood.

I would love to find one in need of restoration. Maybe in the garage of a little old lady who just just wants to park her car in the garage in the winter and would love for someone to take it away and to give it a good home! LOL

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

I have actually met 2 of the three other owners. Of the total, three are TC members and one is not a computer guy.

Of the 4, three are restored and one is a 46k survivor with minor restoration under the hood.

I would love to find one in need of restoration. Maybe in the garage of a little old lady who just just wants to park her car in the garage in the winter and would love for someone to take it away and to give it a good home! LOL

Wouldn't everyone?

I have to ask, what is the purpose of your quest?

If this is a want ad, it goes in the classified section but I'm sure you know that already.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

I have no idea who would own such a beast


Just Kidding - OK Stan lets get this quest started off....

I went looking through my old paperwork and found one that was on e-bay 11/7/05 It was yellow with a black top I dont know how to research completed listings but the item # was 4583364833.

Hope we can get some help on this one.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Excuse my ig'nance (and hijack), but what is a "W" car?

(I would have done a search, but I think "W" is kinda of vague for search engine criteria )

:beers:
Nelson V.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Excuse my ig'nance (and hijack), but what is a "W" car?

(I would have done a search, but I think "W" is kinda of vague for search engine criteria )

:beers:
Nelson V.

Beginning in 1972 the vin numbers were changed to identify (among other things) the engine designation with a letter. The engine designator "W" meant 454 V8. Since the only way you could get a 454 was with the SS package, a "W" in the vin would prove the car was built as an SS454.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

do canadian cars count???

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

do canadian cars count???

If you have a W in that serial # - we want to know about it. Of course we are counting our friends up North.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Stan

I just checked the member registry

There are ones listed for Sheridan AZ, Kalamazoo MI,Lockport NY*,Wisconsin Rapids WI*

* stated they have build sheets in comments section. I am working with Rich Recuporo who tracks the registry. This may help us track down these guys.:thumbsup:

FYI - for people following this post
According to Dan Carr's poster
There were 70 454 convertibles made in 1972
43 Automatics and 27 Manuals. I believe all of them were Customer Ordered.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Stan

I just checked the member registry

There are ones listed for Sheridan AZ, Kalamazoo MI,Lockport NY*,Wisconsin Rapids WI*

* stated they have build sheets in comments section. I am working with Rich Recuporo who tracks the registry. This may help us track down these guys.:thumbsup:

FYI - for people following this post
According to Dan Carr's poster
There were 70 454 convertibles made in 1972
43 Automatics and 27 Manuals. I believe all of them were Customer Ordered.

Do we have colors? Auto or 4sp? Condition? That would be a great start!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Dean

This is a quest for knowledge. knowledge is power.:thumbsup:

Of course it could be Stan and I beating our drums for some equity between all those 1970 LS6 cars that keep coming off of the assembly line every year. :noway:

Then again - we need something to talk about all winter since its to cold to drive these convertibles in the North East.

Anyway - Rich gave me the keys to the 1972 Registry. I will be going throught the registry and cleaning the data up to make it easier for membmers to research.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Dean

This is a quest for knowledge. knowledge is power.:thumbsup:

Of course it could be Stan and I beating our drums for some equity between all those 1970 LS6 cars that keep coming off of the assembly line every year. :noway:

Then again - we need something to talk about all winter since its to cold to drive these convertibles in the North East.

Anyway - Rich gave me the keys to the 1972 Registry. I will be going throught the registry and cleaning the data up to make it easier for membmers to research.

I know a guy that has an original LS-6 2 dr. hardtop that he owned and sold several times. I don't think he is going to sell it again. How do we get to the want adds to find an item that was moved? I cant find any heading listed as classifieds.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Mark, I knew your car was rare but only 27!!! That's AWESOME!!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

I am searching for information to share with my fellow "W" convertible owners (coupes as well). I am also trying to determine exactly how many of these rare cars exist today and in what condition.

It's sort of like searching for rare parts on EBAY!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

You must be special Mark, ya know Rich doesn't give those keys to just anyone!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Yes they count!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Damn you're quick Mark! Things slow at work are they?

LOL

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Two cars from past magazines:

Feb 1991 Guide to Muscle Cars:
Cream Yellow 4sp no smog restored owned by Milton Robson of Oakwood GA

Dec 1991 Musclecar review
Cream Yellow 4sp restored smog owned by Judi Bucci and Michael Murphy of Delray Beach FL

I thought they may be the same car but the engine detailing is different unless the latter took the time to go over the detailed engine compartment again.

Anyone know the whereabouts of these cars today?

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Two cars from past magazines:

Feb 1991 Guide to Muscle Cars:
Cream Yellow 4sp no smog restored owned by Milton Robson of Oakwood GA

Dec 1991 Musclecar review
Cream Yellow 4sp restored smog owned by Judi Bucci and Michael Murphy of Delray Beach FL

I thought they may be the same car but the engine detailing is different unless the latter took the time to go over the detailed engine compartment again.

Anyone know the whereabouts of these cars today?

i sent you a email that you might find interesting about a cream yellow 4spd car .

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Here is some basic info on the additional w convertibles after I found in the registry.

WI Pewter Silver Metallic - 4 Speed
NY Burnished Copper Met -4 Speed
MI Ascot Blue Met - Auto
AR Cream Yellow - Auto

Any other interest on this thread besides Stan and myself?

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Just envy!

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

You rang? Whats up Mark? and Stan, how are my brothers doing??? I see you've started up my old quest for the big "W" once again. Haven't you guys seen the movie "It's a Mad, Mad World"-lol?

There are two more owners of SS454 4 Speed Converts that I am aware of:
Richard Knipe of Texas and Ralph from Buffalo NY. Both are or were TC members. I found both of them when I started the search about 5 years ago.

Not sure how many are still left, but here are some stats of how many were built:

In 1972 Chevrolet Motor Division manufactured a mere 70 LS5, 454 Convertibles with the RPO Z15 Super Sport Option, aka "W" cars. All were special customer factory orders. Of the 70 units built, 43 were automatics, and only 27 were M22 4 speeds. Of the 27 4 speed cars only 15 had RPO ZL2 Cowl Induction.

That makes these Chevelles some of the rarest ever built! Rumour has it that there is even ONE of the fifteen ZL2 cars that is still out there, is a COPO SP car

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Al Thurber in Rhode Island has one also. It's Mulsanne Blue (I Think) with a white top. It's a ZL2 equipped car too.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

While is is a beautiful car, and a wonderful restoration, the jury is still out as to it's authenticity as a "W" car..

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Al Thurber's car is a legit car, Chuck did a feature on it a while ago.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

I must reiterate again, it is a VERY nice car and appears to be original! But...

A lot of the options were added during the restoration.
It still retains some teltale signs that it was once a small block car (look for yourself)
Take a good look at the VIN plate.

That's all I'm prepared to say....draw your own conclusions.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

“””Any other interest on this thread besides Stan and myself?”””

Yes, keep it going please, then expand it to all 72 “W” builds, convert, coupes, and El Caminos.
Lets find out how many “W” are still out there, last of the (documented) muscle cars, when these are gone there will be no more real ones.

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

this is a short story that a friend of mine back in 72 ordered a 72 ss 454 convert, rode in it many times as well as drove it. it was yellow with a white rag. the dealership he got it from is still in town. it was last known to be in Regina, Sask. Canada he now lives in arkansas,an told me not long ago that only 5 were made in canada not sure about that. if anyone knows of it let me know. thanks

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Any up-dates? Is it possible you found them all?

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Hey Kevin,

I can't believe with all the TC members, we can't find a little more info on these cars.

Anyone out there that can help?

TIA

 

Re: Trying to track down additional 1972 SS 454 Real "W" Convertibles

Nothing yet - I will send out some e-mails this week to see if the four Team Chevelle Members still have them. So - We are roughly up to about 14 so far but need to confirm a few.