1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 454

Priced pretty high given how much work it needs.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4783079170.html

 

Considering it's got very recent rebuilds on the engine and transmission, and a lot of new suspension components, I don't think the asking price is too far out of line.

Since the floors need to be redone, this would be a great project for someone with body experience.

 

It also still gets down to how rare these things are though.

 

What complicates things with the '73 Malibu SS wagon is that the 'SS' that year was not its own model - it was simply an option package, available only on the Malibu colonade coupe and the wagon. Because of this, there's little that can be done to 'prove' any particular vehicle was actually a true 'SS' vehicle.

This one certainly looks accurate, with the 'SS' specific lower two-tone treatment on the sides. Grill should also be blacked out with a 'SS' emblem. I think the rear liftgate is supposed to have a 'SS' emblem as well.

 

Ok so if it was an option pack from the factory, would there not have been something in the VIN perhaps? How did they know that it was destined to be an SS?

It would certainly be in the build sheet but how often do you see these remain intact with their respective survivor? Is this the only place you would find this information?

 

If I was to restore this car, I would use the replacement fenders the seller has along with reproduction badging and actually keep the originals in tacked with the original badging in their present state. You could hang them flat up and out of the way on the wall of your garage. That way they could follow with the car forever, at least verifying the fenders came from an SS.

 

The VIN on this particular vehicle would only decode the engine, and whether it was a 2-seat or 3-seat wagon. The fact that it's a 454 does not guaranty that it's a true SS, as you could order the 454 without the SS package.

My feeling on this one is that it is a true 'SS' wagon. I'd be a bit more suspicious if it was all fixed up and shiny, with perhaps something not quite adding up. Seller mentions the 'SS' interior door trim panels. Those would be difficult to source.

 

Out of curiosity, I figure someone here will know the answer, did the 1973 Chevelle have the long sweeping speedometer and the SS optioned ones have the round speedometer?

 

Thanks Krash, I sort of thought this was the case. That is why I would keep the original fenders, but I may also be tempted to keep the original door cards as well as these would prove that they were from an SS (yes not necessarily this one of coarse) because from the pics, the drivers side one is cactus anyway so they will need to be reproduced and then replaced regardless.

This is what I was looking for, something that only appeared in the SS model other than just stick on badging etc.

 

Yes - here was the standard rectangular 1973 Chevelle instrument cluster. Speedometer, gas gauge and clock ( if you bought the clock option .)

 

Correctamundo!

'SS' instrument cluster, per the ad vehicle:


'Standard' '73 Chevelle instrument cluster:
(wagon brochure page - it's at the bottom of the page)
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chevy/73wag/bilder/10.jpg

 

Well there you go, great observation 1tireman!

 

The Malibu SS option got you the standard Monte Carlo instrument panel with individual tell-tale lights as opposed to the Chevelle rectangular cluster. But the actual functional gauges were still another additional cost option. This wagon does not have them - just the idiot lights. Here's what it looks like with full factory gauges.

 

Would be even nicer, if it had the Laguna S-3 buckets and floor console

Because of that mill, the fun factor alone justifies the price

 

Still $6300 with no takers.