'71 Chevelle Re-born
 

After and during the restore on my '71 4x4 I was always on the lookout for parts for the next project. (Always a "next project" isn't there!) Thinking I had what I needed to get started the Chevelle went under the knife Jan 16 this year and just came out of re-covery Weds. Aug. 26. Very satisfied with the results. First pic is the before then pics I took this weekend.

Chevelle came to me with ripped up bench seat, trashed door panels, Edelbrock TM-1 intake, Holley carb and 14'' Centerline wheels. 350sbc & a TH350, several dents, DS front fender the worst.

Now has original factory color, code 26 Mulsanne Blue bc/cc, new carpet, factory buckets, factory horse shoe shifter and console, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with Edelbrock 600 crfm #1406 carb. "Built" 700R4 four speed overdrive trans, new dual exhaust, power disc brakes replaced the power drums, 15'' x 7'' front and 15'' x 8'' rallys and Cooper Cobras. Still need to replace wheel well trim and rocker moldings. Removed the trashed factory A/C, plan is to install Vintage Air system come spring. Wallet needs a breather, LOL :lol:

More 'spensive that when I re-stored my '71 4x4 but I love the look. What ya'll say?

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

That is very nice! love the color!

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Thanks for the comments. Very satisfied with how it turned out. Not a 1,000 point show piece but a really nice driver which is what I wanted. I'm sure a Chevelle "purist" can find some things not quite up to correct factory details but as I recall when these cars were new they had "issues" :lol:

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

looks really good, any other pics ?

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

I like it but Im a Chevelle guy too.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Beautiful, I love the 70-72 Chevelles. Like seeing it in original colors.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

My theory with darn near everything is; if you like it, great! if you don't or you have criticism, keep it to yourself. I don't care to hear it.

You have a great car and you are\should be very proud! have fun with her!

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Clyde, have to agree with your comments concerning the like or dis-like of cars of other folks. Being retired I sure can't afford a Barrett-Jackson show piece restoration but this is the car I would have bought had I been able to afford it when I came home from Viet Nam in mid 1970. Back then making $2.65 an hour buying a $3,800-$4,000 vehicle just wasn't going to happen, :lol:

Here is a few more pics of the car before it went in for surgery

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Few more pics, before and a few during the process. 8 months total but think it was worth it. Car was primed and block sanded 4 times total. Body lines look really great and sides are mirror smooth when looking down them. Took it in for a insurance appraisal last Thurs. , waiting to hear on that.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Bit of an up-date on the Chevelle project. Got the Vintage Air installed, repaired the cobbled dash so now have my Sanyo am/fm/cd/cassette installed with 150 watt Pioneer 6x9 tri-axials and have a working cig. lighter for a power port for the cell phone and GPS. NOS lower rocker trim and new after market wheel well trim. Installed correct fan shroud for SBC with 18'' fan and clutch. Still a couple nit-pic things going on. Issue with the glove box latch, park brake release needs attention, adjust the head lights since front clip was off, maybe couple more items but as it sets now wife and I can cruise with CCR, Bob Seger, Stones, etc. Brings back the memories for sure. :chevy:

A few recent pics.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Couple pics of the cobbled dash I started with. PO must have measured with a machinists scale, marked it with a pencil and cut with an ax!. Dash was really FUGLY and being plastic it took me a while to decide how to repair it. Started with another dash radio section my rusty trusty dremel tool and went at it. Rather pleased with the outcome, can't hardly tell the dash has been repaired.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

It's looking good .

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

Very nice. My first car was 71 Chevelle that same color.

Re: '71 Chevelle Re-born
 

looks Great!!