Re: 1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project

by mikidymac Tue Feb 28, 2017 1:07 pm

Roadcaptain S3 wrote:Yours probably still has the build sheet hidden in there somewhere. Easiest place to check is springs under the front seat.

I'll have to check although I know my dad hat them reupholstered in the 80's. I do have the window sticker though.

by 1970ChevySS Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:18 pm

Thank you all for the information. Especially about the cross member and seat mounts. I have typically worked with 69 and 70 models and this is my first '73.

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 20151011

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 20151011

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 20151010

by kyle1979 Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:37 pm

Hey guys, i wish I could hijack this build thread. My Dad and I recently bought this brown 73 SS to add to the collection - hence my recent posts asking about 73 rear triangle window parts

I can't tell you how excited I am that my Dad was interested in doing a 73 with me. I obviously have a few of them, but the wagon and Sprint varieties. The blue 73 Laguna wagon is going to paint in a few weeks, and the 73 SS wagon isn't far behind it.

I was very close to buying that black/gold 74 Laguna S3 454 that was on eBay a few weeks back, but my Dad loves the 73 taillights and really only wanted that year. I was happy he was interested, and was thrilled we worked out a deal for this brown 73.

My love for the G3s came about from riding around in my Dad's black 77 El Camino SS that he bought new, and still has. His El Camino lives in my garage now, and I'm obviously hooked on them.

My love for brown is because my Dad's first two Chevelles he brought home to restore were Burnished Brown 69 SS's. I searched for years, but couldn't find one I would have been happy with.

I really appreciate this community, and the help everybody lends with parts requests.

by S3SS Sat Nov 03, 2018 8:19 am

To your point, my love of these vehicles came about because of nostalgia. My parents got a 1976 4 door sedan 6 months after new from their neighbour a GM executive. I still remember the new car smell... Now I have 4 , 76 olympic, 76 Classic, 76 laguna, 77 ss el camino. Love to see others like yourself taking on the care taking of these years...

by kyle1979 Sat Nov 30, 2019 9:50 pm

We've been busy accumulating parts this summer/fall. It now runs and moves under its own power, but I don't plan to do much more with this engine... I've got bigger mechanical plans for down the road.

Right now, the plan is to get the interior in great shape and just drive and enjoy it. I've got the full seat covers kit, carpet, headliner, window seals, etc. I'm going with black for the interior since that's what the Burnished Brown 69 had when I was a kid. I have a solid dash that needs just a bit of filling that I'm working on so I'm hoping we are up and going this spring.

by S3SS Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:35 pm

Excellent! Do you have pics of the 77 SS el camino?

by kyle1979 Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:39 pm

Give me ten minutes and I'll go down to the building and grab a few

by S3SS Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:52 pm

My 77 SS el camino 1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 88b0ba2884f8a552b78eadf9c4fdaf55

by kyle1979 Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:54 pm

It's been in hibernation for a while, but I pulled the cover back so you could see it.

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 Img_1714

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 Img_1715

1973 Chevelle SS 350 Project - Page 2 Img_1716

by kyle1979 Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:55 pm

Your gold 77 is beautiful! I've seen picture of it and I love the gold!

by S3SS Sat Nov 30, 2019 11:00 pm

Looks like you and Dad have a fleet also? What are some details on your 77? Mine originally in Nebraska from original owner. 23,000 original miles.

by kyle1979 Sat Nov 30, 2019 11:13 pm

My brother is also involved in our family hobby - my Dad was so wise in realizing how to keep his boys around and close during our formidable years as we've been working on cars together since my brother and I were around 9 or 10.

Dad bought his 77 new in October of 77 from Van Chevrolet in Kansas City. Since he bought so late in the model year (the G body 78s had already arrived) he had the choice of Black with Buckets or black with bench. If he had his choice, he would have chosen Red with Red buckets. He selected the Black with Buckets - so my brother and I rotated who sat on the console when we both rode with him.

Its got about 110k and was restored about 20 years ago. Dad drove it daily until about 1988 or 89 - and at that time it has just crossed 100k miles. We have used and enjoyed it, so it will need a respray again if we were to show it, but we do still use it.

You can see my black 79 SS and my 39k mile 1973 green-gold poly GMC Sprint SP 454 sitting in front of it. They are both listed in the upcoming Mecum auction in Kansas City this week. We've got our third child on the way and don't need so many El Camino around. Dad's 77 is not nearly as nice as the other 2, but means so much more to me so it is the one that gets to stay. That's why I'm in the market for vehicles that can carry a family of 5!

by S3SS Sat Nov 30, 2019 11:21 pm

Nice... Thanks for sharing. I hope you get as much as your asking and more for the others you need to let go of. There is no price on sentimental value.. Very cool that Dad bought it new and you still have it. I work on my cars also with my two sons...

by Sponsored content