1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Tribute
"There was another flavor of Chevelle from 70-72 called the Malibu 400. It was labeled the 400ci 4 barrel engine when it really displaced 402ci. It was a marketing ploy, nothing more. The 396 was actually redesigned in the late 1969 model year to displace 402ci. The SS396 name wasn't dropped in 1970. The 396 emblem was dropped off the fenders beginning in the 1971 model year. It was also noted on the air cleaner decal that the engine was now referred to as a 402. The other thing was the fact that there was a corporate ban on engines over 400ci in mid sized cars until 1970 when the ban was lifted and the 454ci V8 became available." Thx to Chevelle.com forum pages.
For consignment, a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS tribute with a freshly rebuilt engine, a new vinyl top, lots of newer mechanical items, and a presentation that will have the Chevy guys scratching their heads.
Exterior
Beautiful Orange paint coats this car like a fresh persimmon, and it's complemented by the black stripes and new black vinyl top. An SS grille emblem begins the transformation and just behind it, a cowl hood rises to the occasion and is held down with hood pins. Is this the 396 or 454? Well, according to the emblems on the side, it's a 454, but we'll find out soon. Clean chrome bumpers are beautiful bookends to this car and the chrome is picked up by the 18-inch US Mag wheels which tuck the tires up into the well, and these tires carry an early 2021 date code. Thus, the car has a lowered stance and smooth body lines unencumbered by side molding. The underappreciated rear side marker is a sporty little design consisting of seven short bars, while epic round tail lights take up residency in the back just above oval chrome exhaust tips. The vinyl top, window trim and other metal work, and paint is in fantastic condition. Imperfections include some rust and roughness under the rocker panel, mostly out of sight. And that's it!
Interior
Clean and firm door panels with pleated insert design look stunning in black vinyl and metallic trim, along with accompanying SS badge. Black bucket seats, also vinyl, are tall backed and include headrests and aside from one mark on the driver's seat, look fantastically clean, and that condition transfers to the back bench where the textured vinyl barely looks touched. The 3 spoke steering wheel leads to a circle filled dash that includes gauges, knobs, and lights in a symmetrical arrangement that provides essential information to the driver. More toward the center, we find an AM/FM radio and climate controls to the right of that. In the center console, a stirrup style shifter, sometimes called a horseshoe shifter, is epic in every way as it glides over the center indicator panel. Chevrolet oughta bring this one back! Black looped carpet covers the floor protected by factory type plastic sheets while the headliner, also black, is high and tight. The trunk has a small mat partially covering the floor.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, we find a very clean and very orange period correct rebuilt 402ciV8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and 454 decals on the air cleaner. It's been 100 miles since the rebuild. Based on the free space in the engine bay, most people will recognize the tribute. Headers route the exhaust downward. A resealed TH400 3-speed automatic sends power to the 12 bolt and 3.31 gears replete with Positraction. Power brakes are supplied and split discs to the front and drums to the rear. A new alternator and power steering pump have been added.
Undercarriage
Newer exhaust work catches our eye in this clean underside with dual exhaust finding stainless steel mufflers before heading out via chrome tips. There's also a chrome differential cover and spotless gas tank. Up front the flexplate and torque converter are uncovered and what we're not seeing is oil leaks, very much surface rust, nor grease build up on the knuckles. Coil springs are up front and a four link with coils is out back.
Drive-Ability
A prime of the carb and off we went in this orange blast that handled great, tracked well, and had decent acceleration. On top of that, it happens to sound great too! Our test revealed a few things that are not operational, and they include the clock, the horn, the reverse lights, and the wipers. The A/C has been removed so naturally that's not going to be available. All other items such as lights and gauges work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
With or without the SS badges, this is a beauty. Nothing quite like a clean A-body on 18-inch wheels and this one is gleaming with chrome and color. All the goodness of an SS without the collector car price, you will not be disappointed with this well sorted Chevelle. Orange you glad you came to this website?
136371R111505
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
1-1971
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
111505-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 71 13647-1971 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY R08295-Arlington Body #
TR 705-Black Elk Coated Vinyl & Black Coated Vinyl
PNT 62 62-Burnt Orange
09B-2nd Week September
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