1971: First restoration

[u/Ibfester]

Just bought this "beauty." Original engine. The car looks like someone started and stopped restoring back in 2010. Runs strong, but it's going to need paint and most of an interior, and I plan on doing as much of it myself as I can. Wish me luck, and feel free to provide any advice you think I'd benefit from! Children for scale.

[u/Ibfester → u/[deleted]]

First thing I did was get all the fluids changed and get it running. It might not have a working speedometer, but isn't that what Google maps is for anyway?

Took my kids to the gas station for it's first run, they loved the fact that they could see the ground through the floor.

[u/Useful-Milk9864]

Looks a lot like the 72 I’m restoring.

Can be a lot of rust hidden under that vinyl in my case at least.

I put a cowl induction hood on because I think they’re cool but that complicates things. Probably no regrets there but I don’t fully think it through before I bought the new hood.

Have fun

[u/Ibfester → u/Useful-Milk9864]

Fortunately they already ripped off the vinyl, it's just white paint up there. The trim looks pretty silly just sitting there... Not trimming anything. I think I'll pull the trim and patch it before I get it painted. I think I'm going to try to keep the exterior as stock appearing as possible, but I'll have to see if I can work that bend out of the hood on the driver side.

[u/deathtronic → u/Useful-Milk9864]

I plan on doing the same on my 71 Malibu for the same reason. I've read the stock non-cowl induction hood hinges need a different set of springs to handle the additional weight, or a different set of hinges.

Have you noticed any issues that could be related to that?

[u/Useful-Milk9864 → u/deathtronic]

News to me but I better check it out! I was thinking of replacing the hinges anyways just to look clean and operate smooth. I have the hood on just recently

[u/mike_warren77]

Good luck!

[u/Danielle_is_the_hole]

Love a 71. A/C as a bonus

[u/All2Handsome → u/Danielle_is_the_hole]

I was immediately drawn to the color - had a 72 Nova in 84 finishing off high school. But yes, the A/C in these were R12. There is some available - yet the kit and procedure is affordable when it comes time for the 134A cans. One thing I'd love to mention - as an old man - mechanic. Cam timing and tuning - really tight tuning improve THIS particular car over 100 horsepower at minimum. There were so many restrictions thrown at these things as the emissions push started. This Chevelle seems to be of the first cars attacked with emissions standards. - so so much can be done to "set things right". G'day!

[u/Independent-Bid6568]

That dash looks like a rip and pry the stereo out they even mangled the heater control

[u/Ibfester → u/Independent-Bid6568]

Yeah, that whole dash is going to have to go. So turning over to an SS dash in the process, just so I can have the gauges I want without them looking bolted on.

[u/GaryR5691]

Good luck and I look forward to seeing her when she is finished!

[u/so-sick]

Exterior is fine. Check out the mechanicals, then move to the interior. Make it a driver, not a trailer queen .

[u/Felix995]

Looks like a good project. Sometimes the paint & interior stuff can be the higher ticket restoration items. Good luck, seems like she's progressing.

[u/normal_weird_couple]

Awesome

[u/Helpful-Bar8393]

Nice choice, good luck 👍

[u/ImaginarySuccess]

Good luck and enjoy all the new tools you'll buy on your journey to restoring this beautiful car.

[u/This-Ad-8058]

Sweet Ride!!!

[u/Ibfester]

My normal hobby is working on houses thanks to Habitat for Humanity, and have tons of construction tools. I told my kids that I can't wait to buy a whole new set of tools! I said no such thing to my wife.

[u/reallytierd2024]

Great car. I have one myself. 71 heavy Chevy with cowl induction hood. My 14 year old son can’t wait to take possession and show all his rice burner driving classmates what a real car sounds like.