National Award Winning Chevelle SS Convertible LS5 454 TH400 12 Bolt 3.31 F41 AC

The early 70s was the pinnacle of the American muscle car movement. Too much performance just wasn't enough, and user friendliness was exchanged for a healthy combination of style, attitude and danger. Just take a look at this award-winning Chevelle, a car that wraps rare Golden Brown Metallic paint around butch styling, serious big block power and the kind of hardware that's become the stuff of legend. 1 of only 28 1972 SS454 convertibles known to exist, and concours restored with a roster of original and NOS components, THIS is the blue chip muscle car that EVERY octane-fueled gearhead wants to own. And now, thanks to your like-minded friends at RK Motors Charlotte, you can drive one home in better-than-new condition! If you want to be admired by your neighbors, envied by your car club, and loathed by the kid at the local stoplight, pick up the phone and pick up your new Chevelle!

As muscle car enthusiasts, we all know it can be very hard to prove GM provenance. Fortunately, the folks at USA-1 had the foresight to equip 1972 Chevelles with Super Sport-specific check digits. Here's a detailed look at the car's VIN and color confirming cowl tag.

VIN: 1D67W2B667890

* 1 -- Chevrolet
* D -- Malibu
* 67 -- 2-door convertible
* W -- 454 cubic inch LS5 V8
* 2 -- 1972 model year
* B -- Assembled in Baltimore, Maryland
* 667890 -- Production sequence number

COWL TAG

* 72 -- 1972 model year
* 13667 -- 1: Chevrolet, 36: Malibu, 67: 2-door convertible
* B -- Assembled in Baltimore, Maryland
* 613334 – Production sequence number
* 704 – Black Elk coated fabric interior
* A52 – Bench seats
* 57 -- Golden Brown Metallic paint
* B -- Black top
* 05C -- Assembled during the third week of May, 1972
* 0526 -- Data processing number

1 of roughly 70 Chevelle SS454 convertibles produced for the 1972 model year, and the only 1972 Chevelle SS454 convertible painted GM code 57 Golden Brown Metallic, this super cool cruiser wears its striking coat of correct two-stage exceptionally well. Under that high quality paint, an incredibly straight fuselage hangs solid panels that, barring their thorough massage during a body-off restoration, appear to have lead a quiet, drama-free existence. Those massaged panels feature-better-than factory alignment and, when opened and closed, sound solid and function well. That functional body's combination of excellent reflections and Kansas-flat surfaces suggests many labor-intensive hours were spent blanketing every inch of its metal with top-notch finish work. And one close look at our high resolution photos reveals a striped and polished Chevy that's ready to run the street and rule the show!

By the early 70s, the Chevelle had become one of America's best-selling cars. And Chevrolet continued to introduce subtle refinements that met increasingly strict crash standards while maintaining the model's handsome and distinct profile. At the front of this sublime drop-top, a monochromatic, “CHEVELLE” branded grille centers a prominent “SS” emblem between two AACA plaques, two Power Beam headlights and a fresh chrome bumper. Above that grille, a functional cowl induction hood anchors rebuilt hide-a-way wipers between new pins, pristine stainless trim and like-new glass that's capped by a fresh black top. At the sides of that hood, bright badging and single-unit marker lamps perfectly complement straight wheel frames, traditional door handles and a subtle sport mirror. And at the back of the car, a second chrome bumper centers a second “SS” emblem between classy tail lights, a pristine “Chevelle by Chevrolet” script and spotless stainless exhaust tips.

In 1972, the biggest and baddest motor you could shove between the fenders of a Chevrolet passenger car was the mighty LS5. And this car's original 454, which hangs a familiar 3999289 casting number behind a correct “CRW” suffix stamp and matching partial VIN, twists 270 horsepower into an impressive 390 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of the mighty mill, functional cowl induction funnels wind into an original Quadrajet carburetor that's threaded onto fresh stainless fuel lines. Below that carburetor, a sea of Chevy Orange paint spreads from the engine's original intake and original, cast iron heads all the way to its original starter and original, cast iron exhaust manifolds. At the back of those manifolds, an original points distributor shoots fire through eight Packard TV R Suppression cables. And in front of those cables, a reproduction Delco battery complements an original radiator and correct plastic fan shroud. Aesthetically, this road ready Chevelle's fresh exterior paint transitions nicely into a Satin Black engine bay that features a very high level of detail. New GM hoses, with appropriate tower clamps, snake around clean Harrison air conditioning and a correct Frigidaire compressor. And all the familiar extraneous bits, like the car's original water pump, original alternator housing and factory-correct smog equipment are present, sorted and fully accounted for.

The theme of 'road ready' extends under this fully restored Super Sport, where you'll find super clean floors and a rebuilt, factory-accurate chassis. Behind the stout engine, a rugged GM Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed sends power to a 12-bolt, posi-traction rear end that's fitted with correct 3.31 gears. Holding that killer drivetrain off the ground is a correct option F41 double A-arm front and 4-link rear suspension that's equipped with factory power steering, heavy duty sway bars and date-correct shock absorbers. The car's rebuilt power front disc and rear drum brake system is present, accounted for and functions exceptionally well. The aforementioned manifolds dump spent gases into high performance, true-dual pipes that mix baritone turbo mufflers with traditional, rear-mounted resonators. And power flows to the pavement via monochromatic Super Sport wheels and correct F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs. The car's frame, free of any major damage, is painted black to match its solid satin floors. And, in keeping with its raucous 454, much attention has been paid to making sure everything under this Chevelle is painted, tagged and virtually spotless!

Featuring a host of new components, and decked in classic black vinyl, this coupe's fully restored interior is both comfortable and inviting. Its slick front bucket and rear bench seats, which feature embossed weave patterns that were designed to keep passenger's backs cool, show hardly any signs of wear. In front of those seats, a straight and crack-free dash hangs deluxe Chevelle gauges above a correct Delco radio. Below that dash, fresh black carpet, which is protected by rugged rubber floor mats, centers a chrome horseshoe shifter inside an attractive, stainless-trimmed console. At the edge of that carpet, clean side panels hang spotless stainless trim and prerequisite “SS” emblems above chrome door hardware and small, pliable armrests. In front of the driver, a simple, “SS” branded steering wheel laps an optional tilting column. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk centers a full-size tire and correct jack assembly between a fresh mat and correct decklid decals.

Naturally, this pristine Chevelle is the recipient of many distinguished awards. Here's a short list of the car's major accolades:

* Scored 99.75% at the 2013 Maryland Chevelle Club All Chevelle Show
* Awarded First Place, Best Muscle at the 2011 Kuwait Concours d'Elegance
* Awarded AACA Senior Grand National First Prize at the 2010 AACA Grand National Meet
* Awarded AACA Senior National First Prize at the 2008 AACA National Meet

The sale of this awesome A-Body includes a showboard, restoration photos, a large display of historic marketing materials, and lists of the car's essential numbers and accomplishments.

There's no question that this slick brown Chevy is the total package! With a king-of-the-mountain big block, unmatched exclusivity and a fresh, concours-level restoration, it was and still remains an excellent example of 'bragging rights' muscle. If you're ready to put some first class firepower in your automotive arsenal, pick up the phone and enlist this spectacular Chevelle convertible!