Vehicle Description
Big Block Convertible — Driver Quality, Needs Cosmetic And Mechanical Attention
OVERALL CONDITION: Tuxedo Black paint is a repaint from 10+ years ago and is showing significant age. Oxidation on the hood and trunk lid. The paint has micro-cracking across the roof panels and the cowl. The driver-side quarter has visible body filler that's starting to crack. The passenger door has a 4-inch scratch down to primer. Convertible top is a replacement — it's functional but the fabric is faded and the rear window is slightly cloudy. All chrome is present but aging — the front bumper has pitting and the taillight bezels are dull. Glass is clear all around. Interior is black vinyl — driver quality with significant wear. The front seats have cracking and the driver's bottom cushion is split at the seam. The dash pad has a crack across the full width. Door panels are faded. Carpet is a replacement and is okay. The SS gauge cluster works — fuel gauge reads 5 gallons high. Center console is present but cracked at the shifter base.
ENGINE: 396 CI V8 rated at 360 HP — not numbers-matching but is a correct 396. It starts and runs but has issues. The idle is rough at 850 RPM with a slight knock that sounds like a rod bearing — it's been present for about 2,000 miles and hasn't gotten worse but needs attention. Compression is 135-150 psi — low, suggesting wear. The engine smokes slightly on acceleration — blue smoke indicating oil consumption. The carburetor is a Holley that runs slightly rich. There's an oil leak from the oil pan gasket — a slow drip. The engine has power but it's tired. Cooling is okay — 200°F with the original radiator.
TRANSMISSION: Muncie M21 4-speed manual. Shifts are functional but 2nd gear grinds on every upshift unless you shift very slowly. 3rd gear is okay. The clutch is a replacement that's near the end of its life — it grabs but barely, and under hard acceleration it slips in 3rd and 4th. The shifter is original and has significant play.
BRAKES: Power front disc, rear drum. The system works but is marginal — the pedal is spongy and the car pulls slightly to the right under hard braking. Front pads are at 30%. The master cylinder may be failing. Rear shoes are at 50%. Parking brake doesn't hold on a hill.
UNDERCARRIAGE: Frame has surface rust throughout with two areas of concern: the driver-side frame rail behind the front wheel has scale and a small area of section loss (about 2 inches) that should be repaired. Floor pans are original with surface rust and two perforations on the driver side (3-inch and 2-inch). Passenger side has surface rust but is intact. Rear frame around the spring mounts is solid. Gas tank has surface rust — no active leaks but a replacement is recommended. The convertible-specific frame bracing is intact and solid.
Test Drive Experience
The 396 starts with a rough idle — you can hear the knock if you listen for it. It's there at idle and gets slightly louder under load. It's not catastrophic yet but you know it's there.
The clutch engages near the top of the pedal — it's about done. First gear clicks in and the car moves. Second gear grinds unless you shift at low RPM and very deliberately — annoying but manageable.
The 396 has power but it feels tired — it pulls but not like a fresh 360 HP engine should. There's blue smoke in the mirror under acceleration. The convertible top is down and it's a nice day — the best part of this car is the open-air experience.
The steering has play and the car wanders. The brakes are spongy and the car pulls right — you need two hands on the wheel during a hard stop. The suspension is soft and the car floats.
At 55 MPH, there's a vibration from the driveshaft. After 20 minutes, the temp was at 205°F. This is a project convertible — it runs and drives but the engine, transmission, brakes, and body all need work.
It's a big-block convertible for $35,000 — you're buying potential, not perfection.
| Engine Size | 396 CI V8 (360 HP) |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| Transmission Detail | 4 Speed |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 3.31:1 |
| Est. Fuel Consumption | 9 city / 14 hwy MPG |
| Mileage | 79,000 mi (actual miles) |
| Exterior Body Color | Tuxedo Black |
|---|---|
| Interior Color | Black |
| Stock Number | C5483 |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 1970 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Chevelle |
| Sub Model / Trim | SS 396 Convertible |
| Inventory Location | Woodinville, WA |
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