Would you take a Real Chevelle SS convertible w/Buildsheet to Pro-touring or Malibu

[my70toys]

Hi Guys,
Happy Holidays! I'm new to this Forum. I would like your expertise, opinions, and help my on making a wiser decision.

I've recently purchased a nice Solid 1970 Chevelle convertible not an SS, CA car docs of registrations from 90 s, it had a 350 now 454
truck motor, column shifts, runs really solid, nice thing is 3/4 way transform to an SS look. This is why I purchased it, not to clone it to a SS, but to build it to an everyday, every where I want to take it, modern control, Pro-touring. The look of an SS is always nice.

I have been looking for a Real SS convertible for quite awhile, found a few, but east coast cars. Seem like there were many cover up of Rust issue or replacement parts. So I end up with the CA Chevelle convertible not the SS.

Just recently I came across a Van Nuys built, 70 Chevelle SS convertible with Buildsheet, I did find out it got rear end a bit, a little deformed on rear frame, but how can you find everything 1-10 went it come to a 45 yr old car?

Sorry, for the long info, My question to you guys, Should I use my Chevelle convertible to Pro-tour it or Sell it and I get the Real SS and Pro-tour it? At least it's a Real SS? Knowing that it's Real. Which is a wiser Choice? What would most of you guys Use to do this? Is there a percentage of using a Real or a Malibu? Any disadvantage? Please give me your input, Thanks in Advance!

[csouth]

Personally I would keep what you have and build it. There are probably more SS clones on the road than GM ever built, so for me seeing an SS would not make a difference. You would spend probably 1/3 less in the end keeping what you have and finishing it.

[LXCam]

If it were a real SS, your money would be better spent restoring it to original condition. Another words keep what ya got and mod the hell out of it and if you like the look of an SS, then go down that road as well.

[raustinss]

meh 6 here half dozen there , I have abuild sheet ss and am pro-touring it. id just stick with what you have and do it. unless you have money burning a hole in your pockets .

[vintageracer]

Here are the numbers.

GM made over 480,000 1970 Chevelles/Malibu's. Out of that total of over 480,000 cars about 50,000 were equipped with the Super Sport (SS) OPTION so it's not that "rare". Out of the total of over 480,000 cars there were ONLY a little over 7,500 total convertibles (SS, Malibu and Chevelle) built. Using these numbers above and interpolating those numbers to the convertible production here's what "I" think happened!

Out of the TOTAL 1970 Chevelle/Malibu/SS production of over 480,000 cars about right at 11% of the cars built were equipped with the Super Sport option (SS). That's fact as the SS option production number is known! For Schitts and giggles let's double that amount and say (22%) of ALL the 1970 convertibles built were equipped with the SS option. That would mean ONLY about a 1,650 of those convertibles were SS convertibles and that's DOUBLING the SS production numbers for convertibles! Remember these numbers do not exist to tell the EXACT amount of 1970 SS convertibles built and these are MY approximations based upon the production numbers and my observations. Needless to say a REAL & DOCUMENTED 1970 Chevelle SS convertible IS a very rare car!

Now I was as big as anyone purchasing 70 Chevelle convertibles in the late 1990's-2005. Out of all the 1970 convertible's I looked at for purchase across the country the vast majority of claimed SS convertibles were clones. I had quite a few FAKE build sheets sent to me as supporting documentation.

Based upon my personal observation of looking for, buying and selling 70 Chevelle convertibles "I" would see 6 Malibu/Chevelle convertibles for every 1 REAL 1970 SS Chevelle convertible. Since the true numbers are unknown as to how many 1970 convertibles had the SS package as it was an "Option" in 1970 and not a car model "I" think from my observations that the real production total was less than 1,000 REAL 1970 SS convertibles built.

IF the supposed 1970 SS convertible you can buy is REAL with documentation and paperwork to prove it I would restore that car. Your 70 Chevelle/ Malibu convertible is the PERFECT Pro-Touring platform. I don't care how nice you would "restore to original" your Chevelle Malibu convertible top money selling would $40K and that's a HUGE stretch. Pro-Tour the car and the value EASILY doubles so you can afford to spend the money and build the PT 1970 Chevelle convertible you already own.

PT the Chevelle/Malibu convertible and restore the SS convertible.

All of the above number information above is related "specifically" to 1970 Chevelle/Malibu/ SS CONVERTIBLES.

A lot of fact and some opinion based upon the production numbers, 70 Chevelle convertible values and personal observations!

[raustinss]

I need to correct something...my car..is a coupe not a convertible but, Mike I agree there are extremely few convertible ss's

[my70toys]

Great input Guys! Mike, that some statistic to sit back an think on. Well, it's basically 4 out 4 to go with the Malibu and PT it. I do have a better feel now of which direction to on the SS and Malibu. Which does make a lot more sense.

Went I'm sit down and really thinking. It only make sense to use a Malibu, since all the SS equip items will be drop anyway. The real Fact will be was SS originally. I've spoke to four builder. Two said to go for Malibu, the other twords said you should start of with the SS

[my70toys]

Since it come with F41, 396 Big block, and etc. You be having a great starter and it's the Real deal. Which make me feel like I'm cheating myself, Or should I feel that way? The head telling you one thing, purists heart telling you another thing. After 1yr and half, I've only found three with an original buildsheet, there are a few others, but Crazy asking $$, which make you think a bit more, since it doesn't come by very often, No body will know, but the worst part is that you know.

[MuscleRodz]

Unless it is something rare like an LS6 car, i would care less about the build sheet, or if it is numbers matching. It will have more value and sale appeal as a pro-tour car. If your worried about it, keep all the original stuff with it.

[my70toys]

Mike, it is a matching numbers drivetran,* w/Original Buildsheet. That why it made me think twice. Well, Guys the Real SS convertible was in a rear end accident, which I've ask seller was it minor or major? He said it was a Major rear end, but not obvious till you really examine inside out. His quotes "the car was in a Rear end accident which cause the trunk to warped slightly,* the left side frame end deformed slightly,* and the left quarter inner fender is not tight to the outer fender".
If I decide to go SS convertible restoration route. What do you Guys think of the accident? Steer clear away or it's something that you have to except? Is it Fixable or something you have to live with? Is there something I need to know on this type of accident? Also any other inputs on Pro-touring a Real SS vs a Malibu? I still would like to listen to everybody opinion, sometime there point of view that can always surprise us. More heads is better than one, Thanks

[vintageracer]

Anything is fixable today as EVERYTHING needed to repair the car is easily available.

[MuscleRodz]

If your worried about it, don't make any changes that you can't put back stock and keep the original parts. I would have the damage examined by someone knowledgeable in classic car repair and give you a real world fix. sounds like it is tweaked pretty good and the damage could run further foward than you might expect depending on how it was hit.

[Interceptor5588]

Build the car you have. If you restart with the true SS you will always limit yourself to how far you can go because you're afraid to cut it up. Either that or you will become like the rest of the SS purists that restore them to their 44 year-old crappiness, searching out the best source for F70-14 redlines, etc.

Resale value however may be another matter; finished car at Barrett-Jackson etc would be easier to sell if modded correctly, but not necessarily worth more -- up to about the $50k mark. If you're planning on dumping $50-100k into it you're more likely to get top dollar out of the SS in the end.

Pick what you want based on your final vision and purpose.

[chichirone]

IMO, Use the existing Chevelle. Build it to your own specs and drive the snot out of it. Find another original SS with no damage because it's a black cloud of doubt for a future buyer. Be patient take your time and enjoy the car you have now.

[my70toys]

Hey Guys,
Well, Musclerodz, Interceptor5588, and chichirone, You Guys finalize my decision. Also wanted Thank ALL the others Guys for the Great Advice!!! It was very tough weeks couldn't do it without the Advice's!! I've decided to keep what I have an PT the hell out of it, with NO regrets of destroying an original SS. Now I got to plan it out, I'll keep you guys posted went I start, Hopeful I can finish it by next year...

[my70toys]

OK, Any of you Guys from So Cal, I would like your recommendation or referral on a reliable, awesome work, trust worthy, Real price, no BS Pro Shop? I seen a few here, but after researching them, it kinda shock me with what was said. I'm looking to start on the Drivetran first, at least an LS3, LS7, (LS9 I wish, but it's pretty $$$) or LSA, with TKO 6 manual, might also need custom gauge work too for now. Let me know your experience? Also thinking and looking into putting driver and passenger front seat from a Ferrai F430 Spyder, will it be possible and thought?? Thanks in Advance

[my70toys]

Orange County area or 30 mile radius, Shops

[LS6 Tommy]

IF the supposed 1970 SS convertible you can buy is REAL with documentation and paperwork to prove it I would restore that car. Your 70 Chevelle/ Malibu convertible is the PERFECT Pro-Touring platform. I don't care how nice you would "restore to original" your Chevelle Malibu convertible top money selling would $40K and that's a HUGE stretch. Pro-Tour the car and the value EASILY doubles so you can afford to spend the money and build the PT 1970 Chevelle convertible you already own.

PT the Chevelle/Malibu convertible and restore the SS convertible.

I'm with vintageracer!

Tommy

[Nicks67GTO]

It depends.....

If you use the Mailbu youre unlimited as to what you can do. Who cares if you cut up a Malibu.

On the other hand if you buy the SS you can stick to the confines of a stock 70 Chevelle, do a ton of killer bolt ons and make sure everything you do is reversable.

This is what im doing. Im limited by the fact that my car is a real Southern Cali 242 67' HO GTO. I will not cut it up. It's a numbers matching car and its in darn good shape. Anything I do has to be reversable. That said at this point, ive got a car that handles very well and runs great. It's a ton of fun and way better to drive than any stock 67' ever dreamed of. I dont think you need to hack these cars up to have fun. So if youre willing to just do bolt ons, I say SS. If you're going to hack and shred Im going to say 1000% Malibu.

[madmax]

Build the Chevelle. Tub it, throw some basic, good reliable parts to make it a driver, do the paint etc, and then sell that thing. It'll be more fun UNLESS you love stock cars, which can be awesome in their own right.

Convertibles == $$ especially when done right. doesn't have to be twin turbos and carbon fiber wheels to be FUN