Here's the bottom line on this 1971 Chevelle: it's a really nice car. With a stout 355 under the hood, a gorgeous Lemans Blue paint job, and a 4-speed, it's a great all-around performer with a very attractive price. With so many garden-variety Chevelles out there, it's really refreshing to see one that is just a little outside the ordinary. There are a lot of guys who think the '71 Chevelle is the best looking of the bunch, myself included.... Add in the Lemans Blue paint and black SS stripes, and you have a car that won't be overlooked despite its relatively subtle combination. The bodywork looks really clean on this one, and the unadorned flanks are straight and free of ripples and blemishes, which is a tribute to both the workmanship and the care this car has received since it was finished. There might be a few signs of use, some inevitable scratches in the black parts of the paint, but for the money, this is a very good-looking car. It's also nice to see that they skipped the cowl-induction hood and shaved all the badges, so this one looks clean and sleek rather than over-dressed. Chrome is nicely done, and the blacked-out grille gives it an aggressive look that's not over-the-top. The bucket seat interior is largely stock, and we like the way buckets without a console look: industrial strength and focused on performance. Showing almost no wear and nice workmanship, this handsome interior is a great place to spend your weekends. It's not a real SS, so you get a standard gauge cluster, but it's been augmented by a set of white-faced dials under the dash and a tach hanging next door. There's also a Grant GT steering wheel, an AM/FM/CD stereo that might need replacement, and a Hurst shifter, just in case. Stock carpets, door panels, and headliner round out an interior you'll be proud to call your own. The trunk is tidy, offering spatter-finish paint and a correct mat and no major signs of trouble. Power comes from a 355 cubic inch V8, which is the ideal powerplant in a cruiser like a Chevelle. Making great torque, it moves this big blue coupe with real authority and a snarling exhaust note leaves no doubts as to its performance intentions. There's no secret to performance, so it has an upgraded Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor, a mild cam inside, and a set of long-tube headers. There are a few dress-up items, including chrome valve covers, but I appreciate the builder's desire to stick to the factory look as much as possible. The transmission is the aforementioned 4-speed, which feeds a 10-bolt rear end that doesn't seem to mind the power running through it. The chassis is quite solid and clean, but not detailed for show, which means you can drive this one without worries about dirt and the occasional rain shower. Rounding out this handsome A-body is a set of traditional Cragar mags wearing 235/70/15 white-letter tires. This car is every bit as cool as it seems, and the workmanship throughout is very nicely done. And yes, it really is as sleek as it looks in photos; come down and see it in person, and I guarantee you'll want to take it home. Call today!
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