'73 Chevelle SS Wagon (local find)

[bucket]

It took nearly a year, but I finally went back and looked all over the car much better than I did before. A while back, he moved the car to in front of the building and on gravel. It has all the visible rust on the exterior panels, but the frame is good front to rear, the floor pans are all solid and so are all the door posts. They aren't installed, but he has the original mag type wheels with caps and rings. A deal was struck and I need to go pick it up sometime this next week.

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[skysurfer]

I wonder how hard it would be to suck in the bumpers up to the body? Not the first thing it needs, but from a cosmetic view point that would be a big improvement.

 

[bucket]

I wonder how hard it would be to suck in the bumpers up to the body? Not the first thing it needs, but from a cosmetic view point that would be a big improvement.

Not hard at all and it will be one of the first things I do once the mechanical stuff is sorted out. The rear looks ok, but the front needs tucked in for sure. It should be as simple as collapsing the bumper shocks. But I also want to shave the optional trim and narrow the bumper a small amount too. I may just get a fiberglass bumper to try out proportions on, or get a donor bumper.

 

[Corvette Ed]

This is the first Chevelle SS wagon that I’ve ever seen,this has to be rare find. Congrats on your find.Please keep us posted.

 

[bucket]

So I've already learned a bunch about these '73-'77 cars today. Apparently the '73 front bumper was it's own design. The '74 design is cleaner looking and a little smaller looking too... I think I need one.

It also uses a rear axle that I never even knew existed. Wagons and a few other models got a "Corporate 8.75" rear axle. It uses a 12 bolt ring gear (not the same as the Chevrolet car and truck 12 bolts either) and has a smooth diff cover with 10 bolts. The axles are 31 spline for all but the '77 model year- those ones got necked down 28 spline shafts for some reason. Unfortunately, ratio selection is limited and finding an original Eaton limited slip for one is extremely uncommon. Hopefully I find one, along with optional 3.42 gears when I pull the cover, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[shiftpro]

So I've already learned a bunch about these '73-'77 cars today. Apparently the '73 front bumper was it's own design. The '74 design is cleaner looking and a little smaller looking too... I think I need one.

It also uses a rear axle that I never even knew existed. Wagons and a few other models got a "Corporate 8.75" rear axle. It uses a 12 bolt ring gear (not the same as the Chevrolet car and truck 12 bolts either) and has a smooth diff cover with 10 bolts. The axles are 31 spline for all but the '77 model year- those ones got necked down 28 spline shafts for some reason. Unfortunately, ratio selection is limited and finding an original Eaton limited slip for one is extremely uncommon. Hopefully I find one, along with optional 3.42 gears when I pull the cover, but I won't hold my breath.

I believe my '88 van has this diff.

 

[Keith Seymore]

A deal was struck and I need to go pick it up sometime this next week.

Well done, you.

I've had this '74 since new, so let me know if you have any questions about these cars.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/sucs-1046-keith-seymores-1974-chevy-chevelle

 

[Keith Seymore]

Not hard at all and it will be one of the first things I do once the mechanical stuff is sorted out. The rear looks ok, but the front needs tucked in for sure. It should be as simple as collapsing the bumper shocks. But I also want to shave the optional trim and narrow the bumper a small amount too. I may just get a fiberglass bumper to try out proportions on, or get a donor bumper.

US Body Source in Florida has glass for these cars.

I have a glass front bumper on mine, as well as a flat bolt on hood and a cowl lift off hood.

 

[bucket]

Well done, you.

I've had this '74 since new, so let me know if you have any questions about these cars.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/sucs-1046-keith-seymores-1974-chevy-chevelle

Thanks! I've read all about your car and the history of it is awesome. Your car is one of the coolest post-72 cars, right up there with that one single Baldwin-Motion '73.

 

[bucket]

Got it home today, it's still on the trailer for now though. The passenger side is definitely the good side.

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The driver's quarter is by far the most rusted part of the car.

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Best I can tell, it's nearly all original paint. The LR door and quarter have had an area blended in I think. Either that or there was some minor damage fixed before it even left the factory? At any rate, it shines up very well with just a soft towel. With a good buff and polish, it should look more presentable while I get it running and have fun just driving it in the warmer months.

It turns out, the last owner (lived in the London area, which is my area) purchased the car in '92 and drove it for a couple years. Then it sat in a barn until a couple years ago when it ended up at his buddy's car lot in New California. Now I bought it and it's back in the London area. I didn't start driving until later in the 90's, otherwise I probably would have remembered the car.

 

[Catbox]

Looks like a fun project!

 

[Keith Seymore]

Agree; this is going to be fun.

My car would have been a '73 except on a lark my dad saw a new '73 Monte Carlo and bought it off the lot. Very unusual for him to do; the car ended up being a total dog, and cursed. After mom was T boned it in he let it go and ordered up my '74 Chevelle for mom to drive.

A couple advantages for the '74: it came with 15x8 Corvette rallys, as opposed to the '73 version 14" wheels. And - the police package was available on the base Malibu in '74, which Dad made full use of.

The downside is: no stripes. We had talked about adding the '73 style stripes and as is often the case just never got around to it.

K

 

[Keith Seymore]

That car would look good with an L-88 style hood, with the scoop trimmed in silver to match the body side stripe.

 

[Keith Seymore]

Oh - and tuck those bumpers before you even unload it off the trailer!

My goodness - those are awful.

(lol)

 

[bucket]

That car would look good with an L-88 style hood, with the scoop trimmed in silver to match the body side stripe.

That's funny, I was thinking the exact same thing! The hood has a bunch of rust holes in it and needed replaced anyway.