Rare Convertible! 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454/4-Speed
1971 was still a decent year for the early Golden Age of muscle cars, with the Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport being no exception and continuing to offer a potent 454 under the hood. You could still get a convertible too, but Chevrolet only made just over 5,000 droptop Chevelles for ’71, so they’re not seen with the same sort of frequency as their hardtop counterparts. This one left the factory with lots of good stuff including an LS5 motor, and while the car is in need of work or maybe even a complete restoration, this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible here on eBay seems like it’s got plenty of potential. You’ll need to visit Carlisle, Iowa, to check the Chevy out in person, but plan on spending more than $45,700 as that’s where the bidding has gotten up to so far.
From a performance and desirability standpoint, probably the worst news is under the hood. The numbers-matching 454 is long gone, and while there is still an engine of the same displacement present, it’s from 1973. We don’t get any other detailed information regarding the block’s specifics, but the seller does say that the car runs and drives, at least around the block since that’s as far as he’s taken it due to the old tires, brakes needing attention, and age of the belts. But some really positive news is not only is this a 4-Speed car, but the transmission is the original component and the 12-Bolt rear end outback is also the factory part.
Dark green was a popular color in the early seventies, and that’s how this one left the assembly line but the seller mentions that it had one repaint back in the late eighties. The body does have some rust showing, but the owner believes the corrosion is confined to the lower front fenders and quarter panel areas around the wheel openings. We get some photos of the underside and trunk area which seem to back up the seller’s claim that the frame, floors, and rocker panels are all in good shape.
Not much information is provided regarding the interior, but I’m guessing it’s mostly original and would probably benefit from a good refreshing, although the convertible top has already been replaced within the last year. The seller also mentions that up until recently the car sat inside a storage building for the last 25 years, so it’s definitely not been driven very much during this century. Additional good news is the reserve’s been met, so the high bidder will be the next owner of this 1971 Chevelle SS Convertible and will hopefully show it some love quickly and have the Chevy back on the road sooner rather than later. What are your thoughts on this one?
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Comments
I had my first and last and first motor haul in that there car with the concert table down. Back in dows days you couldn’t find a hauler van in the town you know I usually got the one on one street next to Jenkins avenue avenue 27651 still remember it I had to instead eatsput the motor in the rear seet and take the top drop down back in those days it was different I remember the earl oyó oil dropped out all over the damn seats oh those days
wut
There have been a lot of weird trolls here at B.F. lately.
Cool story Mr. President.
Put a 440 in the pass side front seat in a 1976 aspen, drove it 230 miles to the house, like to have never got the thing out but finally did…
A ‘71 Chevelle SS with a non original motor is not worth $45,000.
I remember one just like this in my town about 20 years ago, a triple black conv factory 454 4 speed. but it was factory original and looked like new!
Wanna bet? 454 car adds at least 10. Build sheet adds 10 to 15 easy. This car is worth twice what a Malibu SS clone is. What is a pieced together, Malibu clone worth?
Especially when the 454 from ’73 has the same HP as one from a motor home. (Maybe it came from a motor home ?). ……If you know your stuff, look under the hood at the FACTORY A/C. This car had a low horsepower 454 to begin with. A/C not available with the hot cammed ( low vacuum ) solid lifter motor !
Lots of drunk posters on here today ?
Cool car. Very desirable with the stick, convertible, and big block. But you’ll put another $25k into it, probably. I can’t see $45k as it sits.
Actually, to do it and do it right, you’ll put another 40 to 60 thousand into it.
Just to get started…
Oldtimer, you sure have a gift for story tellin’. You’re like the “Captain My Captain” of Barn Finds.
I’ll never understand why Chevrolet mounted the AC compressor on the left hand side of the engine instead of the right side like Pontiac, Olds, and Buick did. Only Cadillac has a stranger setup with the compressor directly above the crankshaft and 3 feet of radiator hose to get around it.
Nice 71 in really good shape having not been driven much & stored indoors which is a bonus considering the rust issues of 70’s cars & trucks! I have a 70 Chevelle coupe also w bbc;396 ; also not original engine but time correct & original # s matching 4 speed Muncie like this car needs some tlc but totally worth the time but $ is little high considering the work it needs even w big engine most I would bid is $46,500 ?! fair ?! Love the Chevelle’s have to save as many as possible not many originals left out there even though they made 5 k of them but who knows what people did to them back them & crashed many
It’s nice to see that Gerald from “Clarkson’s Farm” has found this Web site.
Lmaooo good comment there’s a lot of gibberish here
Over priced! yes convertible .Yes original rear and transmission. Non original motor and a dog motor in its place. nah id pass.. would not get a return on your investment in my opinion..
Cool car for sure , but 45 k for NOM car ?
Having spun a few classics on a rotisserie, getting this jewel shining again at today’s prices could easily match that number.
Someday soon when the music stops on all these high prices , a lot of people are going to be left standing without a chair ! Lol
Too much for that…if it was numbers matching, then maybe ..
Nice! My fav body style and a vert! Need to see the build sheet for original LS5, LS was a dog in ’72 and not original. The SS gauge pkg and 3;31 posi are promising. Still overpriced for what is there…
Boomhauer lives!
Actually, this car IS worth $45,000.00. At least 2 people have bid that on it, and it WILL go higher. So obviously it is not overpriced. The ad says they have the build sheet. Anyone who wants a ”return on their investment” needs to get out of the old car hobby. Sometimes you might, but some people do actually buy cars sometime with the intention of keeping it because maybe they like it or they want one. Not everyone buys a car with the intention of selling it for a profit.
LS swap it, automatic with shift kit, green with red interior, 24’s, bumping stereo, nah, on second thought, just scrap the rusty pile of crap
Any 71 Chevelle is not worth $45,000 in this condition. People and money are out of control these days.
A buddy of mine had one of these back in the early 80’s. I was riding in the backseat when he left a light real hard. The launch broke the transmission housing completely and the shifter knob went slamming into the passengers left knee. When the driver let off the gas it then slammed into his right knee. I laughed at them both as we drove home in first gear.
You guys stating these old vehicles are going to drop in price if we just wait are badly mistaken. people are going crazy for old American iron, especially overseas. The trends of the past are over, if you don’t own one and you want one you’d better get it now.
$45,700 as of today, on a non-numbers matching ’71 Chevell BB 4 speed conv. that needs total restoration including replacing all the rust I’m seeing just from the pictures. Your going to be way upside down on this one after restoration even if you did the work yourself. Nice restored Chevell’s of equally equipped can be had for $65 – $85,000 (we’re talking Non-Numbers matching) and you can start driving them today instead of spending the next 2-5 years or more putting the same amount of money into this one.
It looks like everyone was right. It was not worth $45,000.00. It sold for $46,100.00. I guess it was worth MORE than 45.