Frame Off Built Chevelle Super Sport LS1 350 V8 4L60E

Look up the definition of “muscle car” and the second generation Chevelle is almost always referenced directly. Offered in trim levels ranging from stripped down economy car to luxury pavement punisher, there was a Chevelle capable of satisfying nearly every car buyer of the day. The idea has continued across the last forty years, making room for even wilder variations to surface. Take this '72 Chevelle for example - Completely updated with a custom leather and Ostrich interior, modern wheel and tire package, and a Gen III small block, this tastefully modified Chevy takes the stock settings and turns all of them up to eleven. If you're ready to hit the streets in a head-turning car built to drive anywhere, take a closer look at this '72 Chevelle.

When this A-body left the Arlington plant in June of 1972, it looked a little different than it does today. For starters, it was painted Ascot Blue and badged as a Malibu. A two-barrel-equipped 350cid V8 lived up front while the bench seat interior was wrapped in code 724 Dark Blue. It was a car perfectly suited to daily driving, but far from a head turner. To amend that, the original paint was stripped and replaced by a glossy coat of red. Accented by black SS-style stripes, the car incorporates the best factory attributes, merging them into one awesome package. The paintwork presents well, offering crisp accurate reflections thanks to the razor straight body beneath. The details are in place as well – panel fitment is well beyond OEM with even gaps all around.

For the 1972 model year, the Chevelle continued with its squared off masculine look. Sturdy and plain spoken, this remains some of GM's most popular design language. At the front, a widened grille extends between the headlight housings, just above the chrome bumper. The front fenders are capped off by single-piece turn signals made exclusive for the '72 model year. Above the grille, an SS-style hood adds an aggressive look to the front end, drawing the eye towards the crystal clean windshield and fresh stainless trim. The side profile is clean with only bright wheel moldings, chrome door handles, mirrors and SS badges accenting the bright paint work. At the back end, the attractive rear bumper integrates another SS badge above the license plate recess with two pairs of round lights at either side. While a lot of enthusiasts tend to favor the '70 front end, the '71 and '72 models definitely received the better rear view. Overall, the body presents much as a factory build would have, but its appeal is nearly universal.

Few cars fit the “muscle car” description better than a Chevelle so, when it comes to building one, there better be some power on tap. Lift the hood on this A-body and you'll find a potent GM LS1 Gen III small block right out of the Corvette parts bin. This fully-sorted package combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads, coil-near-plug ignition and aluminum flat top pistons to create razor sharp throttle response and lightning quick acceleration. At the front of the engine, a modern serpentine system, which is complete with a full set of chrome pulleys and chrome brackets, spins a chrome alternator and a chrome air conditioning compressor at the sides of an aftermarket air cleaner equipped with a fresh re-usable filter element. The bay itself is an attractive mix of new and old. The firewall looks nearly stock with the factory wiper motor, brake booster and air conditioning components in place while an Optima battery, aftermarket radiator and electric fans round out the front end. The install is every bit as functional as it is clean, firing on the first try and idling with the ease of a modern fuel injected motor. Coated mid-length headers and a Flowmaster dual exhaust system announce the LS1 to the world with a healthy bark.

Underneath the car, a clean undercarriage continues the quality of work found throughout the rest of the car. Rock solid floorpans are coated in bright red, setting the perfect back drop for the chassis. In the center, a GM 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission takes care of gear selection, while a 10-bolt differential packed with highway-friendly 3.00 gears puts the power to the ground. Around the drivetrain, a mostly stock suspension features tubular A-arms and lowering springs to achieve its ground pounding stance. When the road ahead winds, driver input is maximized by a quick ratio power steering setup. At the corners, power assisted four-wheel disc brakes are hidden behind an attractive set of 19x8 and 20x10 Intro Auroras wrapped in Nitto rubber. Combined, the lightly modified chassis feels agile and more capable than any stock Chevelle.

Between the doors, the modern upgrades continue with style. Where there was once a dark blue bench seat, a pair of bucket seats now reside, wrapped in black leather with red Ostrich accents. Between those seats, a custom console makes room for two cup holders, power window switches and the gear selector. The door panels combine sweeping modern lines with more Ostrich From the driver seat, a stock-profile dash houses a set of silver-face AutoMeter gauges that keep track of oil pressure, water temperature, speed, revs, fuel and volts. The HVAC system is controlled by the factory interface but the stock stereo has been scrapped in favor of a JVC AM/FM/CD head unit. The driver is connected to the steering system through a Budnik steering wheel mounted to a chrome tilt column. From the SS floor mats to the fresh headliner, no piece has been left untouched in this cabin. Behind the rear seat, the trunk remains traditional with a factory style floor mat and a full-size spare. Only an amplifier for the stereo system breaks the stock look.

Coated in one of the most popular color combinations known to man, this '72 Chevelle not only looks the part, but backs it up with modern Corvette power. Offered for significantly less than it would cost to recreate, this is one of those rare packages that offers style, value and performance without dipping into your kid's college fund. If you've got an empty garage space ready for one of the most popular muscle cars ever created, don't miss this '72 Chevelle!