might be getting a chevelle, any advice?
Thread Starter
Time will tell
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 0
might be getting a chevelle, any advice?
This weekend I might be putting a deposit on a 1972 Chevelle, said to be SS. Currently, the car isnt drivable becasue the guy selling it is in the process of installing a big block. I have only owned one older car before this, a 1974 Buick Century 350, and had no problems with it. Is there anything in particular I should look for before I buy it? Like, common rust spots for this model? Maybe little things I may not have taken into consideration? Any help is appreciated.
By the way, I am putting a very small deposit on it considering the engine is not in the car yet.
By the way, I am putting a very small deposit on it considering the engine is not in the car yet.
I have fuzzy eyebrows
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 0
Definately just put enough money on it to secure it, no more. Get something in writing. Seen too many deals gone wrong.
I dont have any experiance on what to look for...Im sure there are a few here who do....good luck.
I dont have any experiance on what to look for...Im sure there are a few here who do....good luck.
__________________
if it's cheap & reliable, it ain't fast, if it's fast & cheap, it ain't reliable, if it's fast & reliable, it ain't cheap
if it's cheap & reliable, it ain't fast, if it's fast & cheap, it ain't reliable, if it's fast & reliable, it ain't cheap
The Happy Mrs.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 0
I just got a new catalog last week that gives the breakdown of the vin #'s, it actually said that a coulple yrs (71 and 72 were a couple of them I think) vin #'s that acutually will not tell you if its a true SS. I was suprised. I will bring it w/ me to work tomorrow since we still have no power at home or phone line.
The book also gives the break down of all the numbers for the orig. color, int. color, etc..
As far as rust, check at the base of the back window under the two bottom corners, thats real common, where the seam is for the quarters and the piece under the window. Also all around the trunk lid, look inside the trunk REAL good. Run your hands in the trunk down in by the wheel well. If it ever leaked it will be rusted down there too, but you have to reach way down there and all around to feel it. Check from outside by the tire all along the wheel well from the outside also and the lip of the wheel well. If it has rocker panels, look real close at them it could be rusted under them too. Also around the front window pillars. I can name so many places its not even funny, can you tell where I've had rust
. But I still wouldn't sell it!
What kind of shape is the car in? Is it somewhat restored? Power brakes, and steering? Drum brakes all around?
Check all the rubber around the windows, trunk, doors etc., also, thats potential for a leak. See if there dry rotted.
Ask if he has reciepts from what hes done to the car. Just some things down the road from buying mine I had to do was a steering box, all bushings, shocks, springs, misc. brake lines from being old and rotted. It's just what goes along w/ old cars
.
Good luck!
The book also gives the break down of all the numbers for the orig. color, int. color, etc..
As far as rust, check at the base of the back window under the two bottom corners, thats real common, where the seam is for the quarters and the piece under the window. Also all around the trunk lid, look inside the trunk REAL good. Run your hands in the trunk down in by the wheel well. If it ever leaked it will be rusted down there too, but you have to reach way down there and all around to feel it. Check from outside by the tire all along the wheel well from the outside also and the lip of the wheel well. If it has rocker panels, look real close at them it could be rusted under them too. Also around the front window pillars. I can name so many places its not even funny, can you tell where I've had rust
. But I still wouldn't sell it!What kind of shape is the car in? Is it somewhat restored? Power brakes, and steering? Drum brakes all around?
Check all the rubber around the windows, trunk, doors etc., also, thats potential for a leak. See if there dry rotted.
Ask if he has reciepts from what hes done to the car. Just some things down the road from buying mine I had to do was a steering box, all bushings, shocks, springs, misc. brake lines from being old and rotted. It's just what goes along w/ old cars
.Good luck!
The Happy Mrs.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 0
Oh yeah, check the frame too!! It's a full frame car, and if it was up north theres rust under there. Try to get under it, or get it on a lift. Follow the whole frame, especially under the doors.
Come get Some
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Originally posted by HerHotRod
I just got a new catalog last week that gives the breakdown of the vin #'s, it actually said that a coulple yrs (71 and 72 were a couple of them I think) vin #'s that acutually will not tell you if its a true SS. I was suprised. I will bring it w/ me to work tomorrow since we still have no power at home or phone line.
The book also gives the break down of all the numbers for the orig. color, int. color, etc..
As far as rust, check at the base of the back window under the two bottom corners, thats real common, where the seam is for the quarters and the piece under the window. Also all around the trunk lid, look inside the trunk REAL good. Run your hands in the trunk down in by the wheel well. If it ever leaked it will be rusted down there too, but you have to reach way down there and all around to feel it. Check from outside by the tire all along the wheel well from the outside also and the lip of the wheel well. If it has rocker panels, look real close at them it could be rusted under them too. Also around the front window pillars. I can name so many places its not even funny, can you tell where I've had rust. But I still wouldn't sell it!
What kind of shape is the car in? Is it somewhat restored? Power brakes, and steering? Drum brakes all around?
Check all the rubber around the windows, trunk, doors etc., also, thats potential for a leak. See if there dry rotted.
Ask if he has reciepts from what hes done to the car. Just some things down the road from buying mine I had to do was a steering box, all bushings, shocks, springs, misc. brake lines from being old and rotted. It's just what goes along w/ old cars
.
Good luck!
I just got a new catalog last week that gives the breakdown of the vin #'s, it actually said that a coulple yrs (71 and 72 were a couple of them I think) vin #'s that acutually will not tell you if its a true SS. I was suprised. I will bring it w/ me to work tomorrow since we still have no power at home or phone line.
The book also gives the break down of all the numbers for the orig. color, int. color, etc..
As far as rust, check at the base of the back window under the two bottom corners, thats real common, where the seam is for the quarters and the piece under the window. Also all around the trunk lid, look inside the trunk REAL good. Run your hands in the trunk down in by the wheel well. If it ever leaked it will be rusted down there too, but you have to reach way down there and all around to feel it. Check from outside by the tire all along the wheel well from the outside also and the lip of the wheel well. If it has rocker panels, look real close at them it could be rusted under them too. Also around the front window pillars. I can name so many places its not even funny, can you tell where I've had rust
. But I still wouldn't sell it!What kind of shape is the car in? Is it somewhat restored? Power brakes, and steering? Drum brakes all around?
Check all the rubber around the windows, trunk, doors etc., also, thats potential for a leak. See if there dry rotted.
Ask if he has reciepts from what hes done to the car. Just some things down the road from buying mine I had to do was a steering box, all bushings, shocks, springs, misc. brake lines from being old and rotted. It's just what goes along w/ old cars
.Good luck!
I would not stress enough to VERIFY that it is a real Super Sport. There are too many con artists in the world.
Plus check out Team Chevelle Forums (www.chevelles.com), there is a wealth of information on these classics there.
Welcome to the wonderful world of classic autos; and be ready to devote a lot of your life to it.
__________________
Only The Strong Survive.
Only The Strong Survive.
Originally Posted by BigBadBuick
Raise your kids not to be unruly punk ass fucktards and you won't ever have that problem 
I didn't see him attack any other kids on the bus.
I didn't see him attack any other kids on the bus.
The Happy Mrs.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 0
Originally posted by Shockwave
I would not stress enough to VERIFY that it is a real Super Sport. There are too many con artists in the world.
................
I would not stress enough to VERIFY that it is a real Super Sport. There are too many con artists in the world.
................
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 17,444
Likes: 0
Not for nothin', but if it's a real SS, why is he dropping a different motor in it? Something tells me it's just badged up SS, so offer to pay him accordingly. Without the block and heads having matching casting numbers, the value of the car goes WAY down, honest-to-god SS or not.
And yeah, don't worry Janien(sp?), mine's a real SS too
And yeah, don't worry Janien(sp?), mine's a real SS too
