This ’72 Chevelle was a father/son project back in the 1990s. Considerable work was done back then to upgrade the car and more work is still needed now, especially with the engine. The seller doesn’t know if this car was a true SS model when he bought it and the VIN doesn’t seem to help, so this is a project that could be completed as a modified SS clone. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the brightly colored Chevy is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $17,666.

The seller and his dad began restoring this 1972 Malibu in 1994, first removing the original motor, transmission, and rear end. According to the VIN, that should have been a 350 cubic inch V8, and its replacement was a 350 ZZ4 Chevy crate small block with high-performance aluminum heads, a forged steel crankshaft, hypereutectic pistons, and a hydraulic roller camshaft and lifters. The seller says it was good for a whopping 385 hp. But that was 45,000 miles ago and the engine doesn’t run now with the seller placing potential blame on a broken rod and a cracked piston. So, the motor will have to be rebuilt or replaced yet again.

Other changes or additions from stock include a 3000-stall converter for the TH-400 automatic transmission. The rear end is now a 12-bolt with posi-traction, the radiator was replaced with an electric fan, the wiring harness was upgraded, and it has new dashboard gauges from Dakota Digital. Oh, all the brakes are now disc rather than disc/drum, too.

While the paint is about 25 years old, the Dodge Viper Red looks good, with stripes, badging, and all. It has a few paint chips to show for its age, of course. The interior has largely been restored with a few details remaining, but things like the headliner and carpeting are new. The seller has a few suggestions on how to complete the project, such as going with fuel injection, replacing the exhaust system, and adding some suspension parts. We’re told the car will likely need $20-30,000 in parts and possibly labor to put this car back on the road in style.