Vehicle Description
If you want a musclebound Chevelle, you can track down some old
heap and restore it, making it just what you want. Or you can
simply come in and buy this 1971 Chevelle SS hardtop that's already
got all the good stuff, including a big block and factory A/C, and
costs a lot less than what it would take to build it yourself.
Big bad Chevelles never go out of style, and while 1971 wasn't the
peak for performance from the factory, today they can be fortified
with some of the nastiest powerplants ever devised. Many fans also
prefer the 1971's single headlight look, which seamlessly blends
with the rounded A-body shape. Thanks to a dedicated restorer, the
sheetmetal looks quite good with straight panels that are worthy of
being covered in that sizzling yellow paint. It's not a trailer
queen, but the shine is brilliant and believe me, nobody's going to
argue with a car that looks like this, especially not with a big
block under the hood. Painted-on black stripes, a cowl-induction
hood with pins, and SS badges are additional warning signs that
this is not a car to be trifled with on the street. Chrome bumpers,
nice stainless trim, and those four round taillights out back are
every bit as distinctive as the engine note.
Factory buckets, a center console, and a horseshoe shifter are the
highlights of the nicely refinished interior. Correct black
reproduction seat covers give the Chevelle an upscale look that's
also quite comfortable, and the wide back seat is good for road
trips. Factory gauges cover the basics and the round gauges were
only found in the SS models, so this one is probably legit. It
feels plenty potent from behind the wheel and once the engine
fires, nobody will be asking questions. The coolest shifter in the
world lives between the seats and the carpets are protected by
matching black rubber floor mats. There's also an AM/FM/cassette
stereo in the original slot, cold factory A/C, and in the trunk
you'll find correct spatter-finish paint, a reproduction mat, and a
full-sized spare tire.
But you and I both know the reason we love Chevelles is because
their engine bays are big enough to handle the biggest of big
blocks. In this car's case, it's a brutal 402 cubic inch V8 with
goodies from all the big names. There's a proper cowl-induction air
cleaner on top, proudly advertising this is a 402 with 345
horsepower, big block chrome valve covers, and all the cast iron is
coated in Chevy Orange. Spend a weekend cleaning it up a bit and
you will have one nasty A-body. Power steering and brakes mean that
having that big chunk of horsepower over the front wheels isn't a
chore to drive, and the quick-shifting TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission snaps through the gears with authority. There's also a
12-bolt out back, durable enough to handle the big block's power,
and with twin Magnaflow mufflers the soundtrack is like an angry
god is chasing you. Charcoal SS wheels are one of the
better-looking choices for a street brawler, and the look will
never go out of style. Fat 15-inch BFGoodrich T/A radials give it
just a bit of rake that makes all the difference.
This is already the Chevelle you were planning on building for
yourself, all finished and ready to enjoy. All you need to do is
pick up the phone and call!