To like the 4 headlight 69 convertible, and while it's a nice driver car...it wasn't a '71 with 2 headlights and 4 nice round tail lights.
So, after I went through the journey with the '71 roller in Iowa last weekend, I asked Chris S. which dealer Jenny's 442 came from and when I looked at their on-line inventory I just happened to find a super clean 71 Malibu that had 2 year old paint and the previous owner had put on the Heavy Chevy decals. A few discussions later, and Classic Rides & Rods from Annandale showed up with it in a trailer and took the 69 away yesterday.
Here's the skinny on the '71:
350 c.i.
TH350 Trans
3.31 Gears
Factory AC
Bench seat
Originally a Texas car, so the underside and body is super solid
Functional aftermarket cowl induction hood
It does still have original suspension (including air shocks!) and the engine bay needs detailed badly, so I'll work on Stanitizing it this winter.
I guess this makes it the 4th blue 71 or 72 Chevelle now, so yes I have a problem.
You sound perfectly normal to me.
Of course, i have 12 Suburban's, plus parts now.
We work to play, and hopefully play at work.
Keep doing what you enjoy.
You may change cars now and then, but how is that any different than the constant modifications others make to theirs.
Very good call on the Iowa car.
This looks like way more fun and its' needs are definitely in your wheelhouse.
Karl
dashboard said
Dec 27, 2020
I think the first step is to admit we have a problem; I’m just not sure what the rehab treatment consists of. When you find the answer let me know; I have a similar problem.
Very nice Stan. The Heavy Chevy, T37 and whatever the Olds W car was to stay under the insurance radar where cool cars.
hkgmillette said
Dec 27, 2020
Car looks nice. Excited to see it.
SShink said
Dec 27, 2020
Thanks Karl and Kevin. You're always in my support group!
I threw on the Foose rims since I put the Cragars back on the '69 when I traded it, and they update the Heavy pretty good if I do say so. Although it's clear I'll be putting in the lowering springs as it sits too high in the front, unless you like it Hankster high in the front.
Gotta say I'm loving the 4 post lift with the scissor jack too! That made it so easy swapping out the rims, and I can see I'll be using it when I put in the new front suspension parts and disc brakes. Glad you guys talked me into spending the extra money on the jack.
Congrats, you will enjoy working on a rust free southern car.
Larry Lucast said
Dec 27, 2020
Beautiful car. That's a nice shade of blue.
Derek69SS said
Dec 27, 2020
Looks like a nice one!
Jon H said
Dec 27, 2020
Looking good Stan. I was totally prepared to buff on the new car I knew would be there when I get home. Looks like you won't need me this summer, nice looking ride.
Bobs_Place said
Dec 28, 2020
Are you putting the disk brakes on this car ............ or are they for the next one
The car looks good, Have fun
-- Edited by Bobs_Place on Monday 28th of December 2020 12:09:10 AM
SShink said
Dec 28, 2020
Bobs_Place wrote:
Are you putting the disk brakes on this car ............ or are they for the next one
The car looks good, Have fun
-- Edited by Bobs_Place on Monday 28th of December 2020 12:09:10 AM
Yep, the disc brake kit, rear boxed control arms, and rear sway bar that were meant for the 69 will go on this one. I guess that's why I stick with 68-72's since I have so many leftover parts.
Bob-The round gauge Monte Carlo dash I got from you may end up in this one. I've been saving it too. Lol
BLyke said
Dec 28, 2020
Very nice Stan, and unlike the roller, its sure to be ready for spring!
67ss said
Dec 28, 2020
The color, new wheels, and side stripe all look good together. But in my opinion I think the heavy Chevy decals need to go or are they clear coated over? Just my 2 cents.
SShink said
Dec 28, 2020
67ss wrote:
The color, new wheels, and side stripe all look good together. But in my opinion I think the heavy Chevy decals need to go or are they clear coated over? Just my 2 cents.
I agree Chris. It currently has a confused identity crisis with the Heavy Chevy decals. They're vinyl decals that should come off with a little help from a heat gun, especially since they have only been on the car for no more than 2 years, and not in the sun much. They're not clear coated over.
So, I'm thinking about two paths I could take in no particular order:
Path A-Heavy Chevy Tribute:
-Keep the decals on it
-Replace the door and rear panels with the Base Chevelle/Heavy Chevy interior-Not available in the aftermarket, so need to find used ones which are rarer than hens teeth since only about 9500 HC's were built, and not sure on how many base Chevelle's. I do have a line on a set of green HC door panels in Kansas City that would need to be repainted black. I attached a pic of what the '71 panels look like with the non-Malibu white stripe.
-Find one of the companies that makes the full floor rubber floor mat to replace the carpet since HC's came that way as part of the 'cost buster' package (although that might make the interior sound level louder)
-Leave the wheel wells without the Malibu trim, even though I think they look unfinished
In other words, try to make it as much of a HC tribute car as possible.
Path B-Malibu Stanitized Version:
-Leave the black HC side stripes on, or even replace with them with the white ones that I think would look better and not blend in so much as the black ones
-Remove the HC decals from the hood, fenders, and trunk lid
-Install the Malibu chrome wheel well opening trim (finished look and more chrome like a Malibu)
-Down the road change the interior to white (That was one of my favorite things about the '69 vert to be honest)
Decisions, decisions...I'm open to everyone's thoughts.
They both sound like a good plan, but I like Plan B better. To my old-fashioned mind, it doesn't seem right to deliberately remove carpeting, and white stripes would contrast nicely with that deep blue color.
Lost in the 60s said
Dec 29, 2020
Larry Lucast wrote:
They both sound like a good plan, but I like Plan B better. To my old-fashioned mind, it doesn't seem right to deliberately remove carpeting, and white stripes would contrast nicely with that deep blue color.
I'm with Larry, but plan to do a little at a time so you don't run out of work and get bored with it...
Derek69SS said
Dec 29, 2020
Are the HC seat covers reproduced? I think there's more to the "cheap" interior than just the door panels and rubber mat, correct? I know the seat covers are different on the earlier 300 Deluxe cars, but I'm not as familiar with the 70-72s
-- Edited by Derek69SS on Tuesday 29th of December 2020 10:12:32 AM
BLyke said
Dec 29, 2020
Like most so far, I lean towards the "Plan B". For a while I was considering adding some the HC decals and side striped just to mess with people, since there was never a Heavy Chevy Convert
SShink said
Dec 29, 2020
Derek69SS wrote:
Are the HC seat covers reproduced? I think there's more to the "cheap" interior than just the door panels and rubber mat, correct? I know the seat covers are different on the earlier 300 Deluxe cars, but I'm not as familiar with the 70-72s
-- Edited by Derek69SS on Tuesday 29th of December 2020 10:12:32 AM
This is what I found on the HC Registry site regarding the seat covers. Basically, the HC is the same as a Chevelle/Malibu but with restricted options:
Only black cloth (701), black vinyl (703), dark blue cloth (724), and dark jade cloth (736) interior colors/fabrics were offered. Floor covering consisted of a color-keyed vinyl-coated rubber mat in lieu of carpeting & no trunk mat was supplied. Glove compartment and courtesy lamps were not standard equipment but could be ordered via RPO ZJ9, Auxiliary Lighting equipment.
For those that would like more reading on the '71-72 Heavy Chevy model from the HC Registry site, CLICK LINK PASTE HERE
ghaasl said
Dec 29, 2020
I’m with the others and vote for plan B. Your car/your money, though. Sharp looking ride, for sure!
SShink said
Dec 29, 2020
BLyke wrote:
Like most so far, I lean towards the "Plan B". For a while I was considering adding some the HC decals and side striped just to mess with people, since there was never a Heavy Chevy Convert
Before putting the white SS stripes on the '72 vert, I toyed with the white side stripe idea too.
Looks like someone else beat us to the idea Bruce.
BLyke said
Dec 30, 2020
SShink wrote:
BLyke wrote:
Like most so far, I lean towards the "Plan B". For a while I was considering adding some the HC decals and side striped just to mess with people, since there was never a Heavy Chevy Convert
Before putting the white SS stripes on the '72 vert, I toyed with the white side stripe idea too.
Looks like someone else beat us to the idea Bruce.
Thanks, looks good.
Lost in the 60s said
Dec 31, 2020
The white stripes do look better on Blue.
Stan, if the upholstery in the '69 was correct, it should have been a pearlescent white. The '71 will be plain white. IF you liked the '69 better, you can have Legendary make the '71 covers with '69 material and really throw off the car show experts...
Bill Leigh said
Jan 3, 2021
Looks good Stan, I think you are worse than me with the swapping of cars...LOL,
I haven't bought one yet this year....
Hope we will get to cruise more this summer.
To like the 4 headlight 69 convertible, and while it's a nice driver car...it wasn't a '71 with 2 headlights and 4 nice round tail lights.
So, after I went through the journey with the '71 roller in Iowa last weekend, I asked Chris S. which dealer Jenny's 442 came from and when I looked at their on-line inventory I just happened to find a super clean 71 Malibu that had 2 year old paint and the previous owner had put on the Heavy Chevy decals. A few discussions later, and Classic Rides & Rods from Annandale showed up with it in a trailer and took the 69 away yesterday.
Here's the skinny on the '71:
It does still have original suspension (including air shocks!) and the engine bay needs detailed badly, so I'll work on Stanitizing it this winter.
I guess this makes it the 4th blue 71 or 72 Chevelle now, so yes I have a problem.
Of course, i have 12 Suburban's, plus parts now.
We work to play, and hopefully play at work.
Keep doing what you enjoy.
You may change cars now and then, but how is that any different than the constant modifications others make to theirs.
Very good call on the Iowa car.
This looks like way more fun and its' needs are definitely in your wheelhouse.
Karl
Very nice Stan. The Heavy Chevy, T37 and whatever the Olds W car was to stay under the insurance radar where cool cars.
Thanks Karl and Kevin. You're always in my support group!
I threw on the Foose rims since I put the Cragars back on the '69 when I traded it, and they update the Heavy pretty good if I do say so. Although it's clear I'll be putting in the lowering springs as it sits too high in the front, unless you like it Hankster high in the front.
Gotta say I'm loving the 4 post lift with the scissor jack too! That made it so easy swapping out the rims, and I can see I'll be using it when I put in the new front suspension parts and disc brakes. Glad you guys talked me into spending the extra money on the jack.
Congrats, you will enjoy working on a rust free southern car.
Are you putting the disk brakes on this car ............ or are they for the next one
The car looks good, Have fun
-- Edited by Bobs_Place on Monday 28th of December 2020 12:09:10 AM
Yep, the disc brake kit, rear boxed control arms, and rear sway bar that were meant for the 69 will go on this one. I guess that's why I stick with 68-72's since I have so many leftover parts.
Bob-The round gauge Monte Carlo dash I got from you may end up in this one. I've been saving it too. Lol
The color, new wheels, and side stripe all look good together. But in my opinion I think the heavy Chevy decals need to go or are they clear coated over? Just my 2 cents.
I agree Chris. It currently has a confused identity crisis with the Heavy Chevy decals. They're vinyl decals that should come off with a little help from a heat gun, especially since they have only been on the car for no more than 2 years, and not in the sun much. They're not clear coated over.
So, I'm thinking about two paths I could take in no particular order:
Path A-Heavy Chevy Tribute:
-Keep the decals on it
-Replace the door and rear panels with the Base Chevelle/Heavy Chevy interior-Not available in the aftermarket, so need to find used ones which are rarer than hens teeth since only about 9500 HC's were built, and not sure on how many base Chevelle's. I do have a line on a set of green HC door panels in Kansas City that would need to be repainted black. I attached a pic of what the '71 panels look like with the non-Malibu white stripe.
-Find one of the companies that makes the full floor rubber floor mat to replace the carpet since HC's came that way as part of the 'cost buster' package (although that might make the interior sound level louder)
-Leave the wheel wells without the Malibu trim, even though I think they look unfinished
In other words, try to make it as much of a HC tribute car as possible.
Path B-Malibu Stanitized Version:
-Leave the black HC side stripes on, or even replace with them with the white ones that I think would look better and not blend in so much as the black ones
-Remove the HC decals from the hood, fenders, and trunk lid
-Install the Malibu chrome wheel well opening trim (finished look and more chrome like a Malibu)
-Down the road change the interior to white (That was one of my favorite things about the '69 vert to be honest)
Decisions, decisions...I'm open to everyone's thoughts.
I agree with Derek!
Happy you corrected the number of headlights on your ride!
My KC connection pulled through and found hens teeth He has 1 full set of HC interior panels, plus an extra set of door panels. Bingo!
They'll need to be freshened up and painted, but they are all there. Plus they're 50 years old and aren't made anymore.
No matter which direction I go I'm going to snag them up since they're so hard to find.
I'm with Larry, but plan to do a little at a time so you don't run out of work and get bored with it...
Are the HC seat covers reproduced? I think there's more to the "cheap" interior than just the door panels and rubber mat, correct?
I know the seat covers are different on the earlier 300 Deluxe cars, but I'm not as familiar with the 70-72s
-- Edited by Derek69SS on Tuesday 29th of December 2020 10:12:32 AM
Like most so far, I lean towards the "Plan B".
For a while I was considering adding some the HC decals and side striped just to mess with people, since there was never a Heavy Chevy Convert
This is what I found on the HC Registry site regarding the seat covers. Basically, the HC is the same as a Chevelle/Malibu but with restricted options:
Only black cloth (701), black vinyl (703), dark blue cloth (724), and dark jade cloth (736) interior colors/fabrics were offered. Floor covering consisted of a color-keyed vinyl-coated rubber mat in lieu of carpeting & no trunk mat was supplied. Glove compartment and courtesy lamps were not standard equipment but could be ordered via RPO ZJ9, Auxiliary Lighting equipment.
For those that would like more reading on the '71-72 Heavy Chevy model from the HC Registry site, CLICK LINK PASTE HERE
Before putting the white SS stripes on the '72 vert, I toyed with the white side stripe idea too.
Looks like someone else beat us to the idea Bruce.
Thanks, looks good.
The white stripes do look better on Blue.
Stan, if the upholstery in the '69 was correct, it should have been a pearlescent white. The '71 will be plain white. IF you liked the '69 better, you can have Legendary make the '71 covers with '69 material and really throw off the car show experts...
I haven't bought one yet this year....
Hope we will get to cruise more this summer.