When it comes to Chevrolet Chevelles from the golden muscle car era, there's no denying that the 1970 SS 454 LS6 is the most desirable rig out there. And the 1965 Z-16 is probably next in line regarding value and appeal. The 1972 Chevelle you see here is not an LS6 or a Z-16, but it's just as incredible. How come? Well, it's a low-mileage, all-original, and unmolested survivor.
A one-owner car, this Chevelle SS has been pampered since day one. It hasn't been driven in the rain, and the owner kept it on blocks during the winter to preserve the original tires. That's right, although this hardtop is 51 years old as of 2023, it still rides on factory rubber. The original spare is also in excellent condition.
Is it still in 100% original condition, though? Well, the owner swapped the factory valve covers for Corvette LT1 units, but he still has the original ones in the trunk. He also drilled a few holes in the air cleaner and replaced the shifter, but other than that, this 1972 Chevelle looks like it just left the assembly line. The Mohave Gold paint is also original and looks surprisingly well for its age.
The odometer shows only 22,700 miles (36,532 km), which means the car has been driven for an average of 445 miles (716 km) per year. As you might have already guessed, the V8 under the hood and the four-speed gearbox routing all the power to the rear wheels are both of the numbers-matching variety.
The mill in question is a 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block V8 rated at 175 horsepower and 280 pound-feet (380 Nm) of torque. It may not sound like a lot compared to 1970 Chevelle output ratings, but we need to remember that Chevy switched to net figures in 1972. The engine probably delivers around 220 horses and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) gross.
The 350 "Turbo-Fire" was slotted under the 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) Turbo-Jet and the range-topping 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8. While the 400 came with 240 horsepower on tap, the 454 was rated at 270 horses.
After 51 years with the same owner, this stunning 1972 Chevelle was listed for sale. And it ended up with classic car collector and dealer Dennis Collins, who's also very fond of unrestored survivors. Dennis was so impressed with the car he decided to keep it in his private collection rather than restore it and flip it. He also got behind the steering wheel and recorded some footage driving the car, which he rarely does with other classics he buys.
And you'll hear him say how the condition of this car is "unbelievable" more than once. If this Mohave Gold SS had been a 1970 SS 454 LS6, it would have been worth more than $500,000 in this condition. But even though it's not one of the more desirable versions of the Chevelle, this hardtop is arguably one of the greatest 1970s survivors out there. Check it out in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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