1971 Chevrolet Chevelle

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!