1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

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 SS454 that's already got all the good stuff, including A/C and a 5-speed, 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 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 glossy Cranberry Red 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 correct 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.

High back buckets, a center console, and a Hurst 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, including a correct factory tach, are recessed deep in round nacelles while auxiliary gauges for temperature and oil pressure have been installed down low where the guy next to you won't see them. The 5-speed shifter lives between the seats and the carpets are protected by matching black floor mats. There's a tilt steering column with a custom billet wheel to dress things up a bit, and yes, the A/C works like it should thanks to modern hardware under the hood. There's also an AM/FM/cassette stereo in the original slot and in the trunk you'll find a full-sized spare, just in case.

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 454 cubic inch V8 with goodies from all the big names. Equipped with Edelbrock aluminum heads, a Demon carburetor, a Comp Cams camshaft, and an MSD ignition system to light the fires, all coated in Chevy Orange, it's formidable no matter how you look at it. 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 Tremec 5-speed manual transmission snaps through the gears with authority. There's also a 12-bolt with 4.10s out back, durable enough to handle the big block's power, and with twin Flowmaster mufflers the soundtrack is like an angry god is chasing you. Classic Centerline wheels are one of the better-looking choices for a street brawler, and the look will never go out of style. Staggered tires measuring 215/65/15 up front and 275/60/15 in back 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!