Hi, I'm kinda embarrassed to ask because I know Chevelles are worth a ton of money, but I would really like one. I was hoping to find one that isn't fully restored to work on, but I've never worked on cars so I'd prefer not to get one that needs to be totally rebuilt. Are there any tips on finding a more affordable one, or are there similar muscle cars that are a lot cheaper?
A genuine Chevelle SS will cost a fortune, really no way around it. Even basket cases can go for pretty high dollars. Also there are a lot of "tributes" or "clones" out there that are worth considerably less but unethical sellers will try to pass them off as the real thing.
If you want something with the same basic body style a plain-Jane Chevelle 2-door will be a lot less money with a six or small V8. Then over time you could upgrade it to your heart's content as your skills and wallet will allow. Cheapest to buy though would be a 4-door and there you lose the sporty look.
Take a look at this one! Selling price is undisclosed but it would have been a small fortune!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t_vz1_Kh0M
Thanks for the response, I was wondering about people lying there's been a few times I emailed someone asking if they had a real SS and never heard from them lol.
Welcome first-time poster!
Chevelles are cool, but they are arguably the most desirable car in the most desirable category (70's muscle cars). They have been popular so long now that they inflate their own prices. Everyone wants one because the values are high, and then because everyone wants one, you have to overpay to get one. And by now, they have all been found and picked over; the good ones are already restored, and the bad ones have been cannibalized for parts.
If you want one that isn't a $70,000 show car, you might be able to find a partially-restored one that the previous owner got bored with. Or maybe one that was restored 20 years ago and it's now due to be restored again. But even at that, people price cars like that based on "potential" value, not real value, so they will expect $$$$. And for sure, you aren't gonna just order an unrestored survivor-car off Ebay.
But that said, you do have a lot of other options. The obvious choice is a Nova, which has the same vibe in a smaller package. You could also look at early 70's Pontiacs, Buicks, and Oldsmobiles. Anything 4-door will be a discount compared to anything 2-door. You can also look at alternative body styles, like wagons. Or maybe an ElCamino (just anecdotal, but in the last few months, I have seen a lot of ElCaminos come up for sale for cheap. I believe they have the same chassis as the Chevelle, but they are more, shall we say, gauche.)
Since you've never worked on cars, it will behoove you to start with something that doesn't require advanced skills, like welding (which just about any cheap 70's muscle car will). Maybe look at an 80's or 90's Camaro or full-size sedan. Or maybe a truck; a square-body S-10 or "OBS" half-ton Chevy truck with a straight body and frame could be a great first project.
Good luck!
PS: I'm right in there with you; I'm just getting into classic restoration. Rather than starting with my dream car, I decided to start with something easier, and found a 30-year-old Miata behind a lady's barn. Picked it up for $800. I figure I can practice my skills on something cheap and practically disposable, then trade up later.
Thanks for the response, definitely gives me some ideas, I do like some Olds and Buicks too, just thought they'd be expensive too and harder to find. Could just decide on a Nova too thanks.
You will never buy a 1970 Chevelle without paying a fortune for it. It could be rusted out...
You might go for a Plymouth Barracuda or something like that? When I was in college 10 years ago, another student had one in the parking lot. It was his daily driver. Every day, I'd find it in a different place. It was rusty, but it looked great underneath.
I could definitely for for something like that, I just assumed they'd be even more expensive lol, I'll definitely look around though, thanks!
Forget that car they cost a fortune even if they're falling apart. If you want a muscle car, you might look at the mercuries because some of the Mercury's were actually fancy mustangs with more chrome. But the mustang's got popular in the mercury's didn't even know they're almost the same exact car
Thats the Couger right? I think I remember an older guy I knew say his brother had one back when he was in high school or something. Also my grandfather was a Ford exec, I always remember him having Mercuries, although not muscle of course lol. Thanks, I'll look into those.
Holy post storm, Batman.
You're going to overload our poor server, and moderators. It's a little slow to respond at times, so go easy on it.
It starts banning people if you go too crazy.
