72 Chevelle SS 396 39k orig mil.

Personally I'd pay around $5,000 for a non running vehicle that's been parked for 20 years! That's a long time to be sitting! Was it stored in a garage? I hope so. Does the engine turn? I would be suspicious of the mileage too. When it was parked it was 28 years old. So that means it was only driven around 1,300 miles per year. It's possible, but unlikely in my opinion. Remember, this vehicle only has a 5 digit odometer! It could easily have 136,000 miles on it! Or more! Why was the vehicle parked? Did the owner die and the family couldn't bear to part with it? That happens. But it could have been parked because someone was racing it and blew the engine. So it was parked until "later" when it would be fixed. If it truly is a barn find, great. But I wouldn't pay $20,000 for it! That's just me. Hope that helps! Jim

Post some photos. I think this car is worth a good bit but not 20 grand.

I wish I could put up some photos but it’s not my vehicle. It feels a little weird to post photos someone else’s car especially on a forum thats well known like car gurus. Not sure if the owner would appreciate that. I want to stay on his good side. It’s definetely a barn find. But it’s not in a barn. Just covered with blue tarp. Smells awful. The mice have dumped a load of you know what on top of the carb air cleaner. It still has the sticker that says 402 cu inch. It’s not faded, fully readable. And no, I’m not saying just because the sticker is still there doesn’t confirm orig miles. It’s a combination of items in the interior that is telling a story. I will decide by next weekend. If price was 15k that’s more reasonable. Going to try and catch him in a good mood. Maybe take him out for a beer and have a man to man about it. I’m buying, and when he finishes the first one I’m buying another, and another and another etc... Thanks

With it being parked outside for all those years it's picked up a LOT of moisture and I bet the underbody has a lot of rust damage! Plus mice love to chew on wiring and vacuum hoses! The engine may not be salvageable either! Have you tried turning the engine over by hand? Use a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt and see if the engine is free. If it's not, I'd walk away from it! To restore this vehicle will cost more than you can get out of it. With the additional information, it's definitely not worth $20,000. One last thing to consider is that by 1972 the muscle car era was coming to a close. Horsepower was rated, for the first time, as SAE net, the engines had been detuned to meet emissions standards, and these Chevelles, while desirable, aren't nearly as desirable as the previous generation. If it were me, I wouldn't buy it. Just my thoughts. Hope that helps! Jim

Go on Hemming's or Hagerty to check values. Until you can do an inspection you should not make an offer. Like Js says you should check for rust as body work is extremely expensive. Is this a cowl induction car? Keep in mind that restoration costs will probably exceed the car value by a lot.

Top value when restored to a high standard is probably around 60k. Restoration costs if you pay someone to do the work could (and would) exceed $100,000.

Hey guys ! I have not done anything physically to the car at all. I’ve not tryed to start it, or turn it by hand or anything like that. The owner said it runs. I looked under the hood and the underbelly of the vehicle and did see some rust at the lower bottom panels. I did notice some gap differences between the body panels. That definitely caught my attention. I did not express my curiosity about that with the owner. It was just a mental note. The paint looks original. Nothing about it looks like a repaint. The hood stripes are original and looked normally faded and warn. I noticed the squared off edges on the hood stripes. I was already aware that the Arlington Texas plant made boxed edges on the hood stripes, which was incorrectly done. All other plants manufacturing the car had rounded edged hood stripes. This was confirmation of the hood stripe being orig. Maybe someone out there can explain this and make it a little clearer than I am. I did read the cowl tag. It is a code 75 / B car. Which translates to Cranberry red and the B indicates black vinyl top. The vinyl top is gone and there are some rust spots at the corners of the roof where the vinyl top layed all those years. Like I said previously, the factory sticker near the top of radiator support is indicating 402 cu inch motor. This acknowledges my awareness that a 402 cu inch motor was a SS 396 model from the factory. I did take a few Picts of the labels. I’m a little confused as to the why the 5 /23/69 date code on the sticker. This car is a 71or 72 car. Can anyone analyze this ? By the way, you gotta admit the white stickers on top of radiator support being so clearly able to be read is also another indication of originality. This is one of the themes I mentioned before that’s telling a story about this car that its original miles. (not the only theme) but just one of multiple themes about the interior that’s confirming my thoughts. There’s also a thin white dashboard sticker, “please wear seatbelt for safety” or something to this affect as the message given. Still has factory 8 track deck. Driver/passenger seats look good. I’m finally coming to realization that this car is going to need a lot of work to bring it back to life. I don’t imagine just buying some plugs and wires and draining the tank of the old gasoline and then it magically starts running. Here’s what I think happened. I was driving by and saw it under the car cover and instantly realized that it was a Chevelle. I noticed all 4 tires from under the plastic tarp that were completely on the ground, flat as pancakes. I said to myself, this car has been sitting in this spot a very long time. I instantly thought, I wonder if the owner wants to sell. Next thought that came to mind is my “barn find” Chevelle I’ve been hoping to find all my life. I literally stopped my car got out and walked over to the property and inquired with the persons on the property where it was sitting. They went and got the owner, He said, “yeah ! I’d probably sell it”, hasn’t ran in 20 years and I’m probably not going to follow thru with the plans I had for it” It was an older gentleman that owned it. We had conversation about it for about 15 min. Of course I asked him what kind of price he had in mind, and this is when he said 20 grand. I was thinking hmmm, seems kind of pricey for its condition. He then went into explanation about it having only 39k miles original etc..... He was busy and wasn’t able to take the cover off and let me take a look at it. We set up a time for few days later for me to take a closer look. I did come back a few days later and asked a few questions and took a few Picts. The owner gave me his number and I said let me do a little research on it. I have not been back since. I think the excitement of finding it was blocking my ability to analyze and calculate cost to get running. I’ve had a chance to calm down now from my excitement and really think about what’s going on with this car. So to be honest I’m probably not going to pursue it. It if was a convertible SS ? Now that’s a totally different scenario that I would probably go ahead and invest. But, it’s not convertible so my enthusiasm about it has just about drained out of me. Mainly because of 2 reasons. The price and its current condition with that price attached Js08016 said something about mice love to eat wires and chew on rubber hoses. What a nightmare if I had to pay to have this thing re-wired. I’m thinking, I’m not gona be hooked into this thing 60 / 70 grand. That’s not what I had in mind for it. Now, Im on this roller coaster of “ I think I’m going to go ahead and buy it” then the next day I say to myself, naww, forget it. Sorry to ramble on for so long guys but you did notice my screen name right ?

Picture of label on top radiator support.

Cowl tag

.......

I’ve had a change of mind about the Chevelle 72. I’m going to go ahead and make the purchase. Will try to negotiate. Reason change of mind is I won’t get another opportunity to buy one of these at a price like this. These cars a selling 35 / to 40,000. In 10 years they will be even more rare. I will regret not buying it and wish that I did when I was given the opportunity.

That's your decision. I wish you the best of luck with it! I hope everything turns out well and how you envision the car! Thank you for the best answer click too! Jim

Good luck with the restoration project. Keep us up to date.

Thanks. Hope it all works out also. It’s not very often that one comes across a 70’s Chevelle with less than 40k orig mile. These cars have no specific quoted value. People that price these cars at such rediculous prices know there not worth that amount but what they also know is that someone will still buy it with no hesitation. Chevelle is a brand that’s going up in value faster than any other brand. No Reserve Classic’s muscle cars has a 70 Chevelle for 97k. Probably sold already. Will try to post a few pict of “as is” condition Thanks Js08016

You're welcome. I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing about your progress too! Jim

Hey readers ! I had another visit with the Chevelle Friday afternoon. I took a few more Picts to of interior. If there was any doubt in my mind about “ if” the miles were actually original, I have ultimately came to a conclusion that “yes” absolutely with no doubt they are orig mile 39k. Here are a few more Picts that confirm my conclusion.

Cigarette lighter still intact looks untouched / 8 Tract tape deck still intact.

Original window sticker. Books and manuals. I’m sure there will still be doubts even with my findings shown here, however if you’re a real car guy you know how to look interior of a car and tell how far that car has been driven. I truly think it’s worth every penny of 20 grand but only because of its original miles. Thanks guys..

Thanks for sharing the pictures! That's really neat! I love stuff like this! The original documents, especially the original window sticker! Plus the second set of original keys that have never been used! That's awesome!! It looks like a well optioned car! If you get the original title from 1972 I'd photocopy it before you turn it in, just to have as a keepsake!! Those original documents also increase the value of the vehicle! Very cool!! Jim

Hey Js08016 / readers.. Yes this information brings about a whole new energy for it. I wanted to be careful and not get duped. I’ve not bought it yet. I needed to get its legitimacy confirmed before taking that major step towards purchase. Hope to be able to post Picts of actual car in next few days after purchase. I’m going to check but I think it’s still sitting on the original tires. I have no plan to paint it or do anything to it for a while. Not sure what direction I want to go with it towards its future. Keep it as is ? Start restoration ? Thanks !

All that documentation is a gold mine of information. I can't read the writing in the photo but it looks like you have the original build sheet/window sticker. Check the VIN and engine number and then make an offer. Keep in mind that if there is body rot the car will be a bottomless pit of repair bills.

Hey there F O R. Yes for some reason when I posted the document it became distorted. I was quite disappointed it’s not readable. It’s kind of exciting to be able to read the original window sticker that officiates this cars options. Without a build sheet or factory window sticker it’s options are just speculation. I would be worried that this car was just a SS clone, but not at all. You prob can’t read it but the SS option is noted as Z 15. I might try to post window sticker again to see if it post correctly. I’m sure the build sheet is present. I heard most of the time it’s attached to the bottom of the rear seat. I’ve checked the vin # and engine number. It is a matching numbers car. There is some rust. A Few spots here and there mostly located on bottom panel of doors. It’s very minor rust. There is quite a bit of surface rust on front and rear bumpers. It’s probably accumulating in others spots I have not discovered yet, I guess that’s expected. I agree, body rot can be the deal breaker. I’m pretty lucky to have this opportunity to purchase something like this.The reason I say that is because the car is not advertised anywhere, If it was, I would be in a bidding battle with multiple potential buyers. No way ! I would walk away from it if that was the case. The guy told me take my time he’s not advertising it so I’m going to wait until Friday to purchase it. “ I think “ anyways guys, I’m rambling again so I will stop here. Stay tuned !

Looking forward to seeing your project unfold!! You should also invest in a factory shop manual and a Fisher Body Manual for the car! It will be very helpful as your restoration progresses. Try Faxon Auto Literature in Riverside CA for good quality reasonably priced reprints. They have a website and I've bought from them. Jim

Ok, thanks. Still a little undecided on if I should restore or keep it on its current condition. I’m invisioning it’s worth in about 10 years with the “ patina” look of all 4 tires so flat that the cracks in the tires have now turned into look like canyons in the mountains. I will continue my mental debate. Thanks guy !

You want to drive it don't you? At a minimum you are looking at hoses, belts, the fuel system and brake system. New tires obviously and a complete fluid change.

Well, to be honest I don’t want to drive it. I will do all the necessary treatment to bring back to life. I will be satisfied just to know it’s in the garage. May Drive it to good guys car show and maybe a few others. Probably sounds a little odd but...

Lots of people don't want to drive their collector cars. Maybe they don't want to increase the mileage or maybe take a chance of someone else crashing into it. Everyone enjoys their collector vehicles in a different way I guess. Jim

I would drive it but that is me. What you do is your business. Good luck and thanks for keeping us informed.

I agree, I'd drive it too. But that's just me. Jim

Yes that’s how I feel. I have a few other toys. I won’t be specific but there’s a few other nice toys. I just like to look at them tinker under the hood, and just feel good there mine.

I am a collector. Collectors don’t usually drive there collection. There Just for conversation and a occasional trip to a car show. Good guys to be specific. Probably won’t have one this year because..... well you why. But yes, still contemplating the Chevelle buy...

Jay Leno drives all his cars. He restores them to 100 points and then drives them down to near 0 points and then starts over again.

Hey there F_O_R. I am a big fan of Jay Leno. OK, cool to know he drives his cars. Quite a nice collection he has. I watch Jay Leno‘s garage all the time. Kind of hard to believe Any man that has 100’s of cars to believe he drives all of them into the ground then builds them all over again. But I get your point. There’s still some value in the choice to drive your toys or not or just on occasion. We’re all unique in our ways and what we choose to do and not do. I respect everyone whether there like me or completely opposite. Alright guy. Hoping for us all to be able to gather up this summer and see what else is out there.

He is the ultimate car guy. Nothing wrong with your choice. Enjoy it and pass it on to the next guy when you are ready.