A CLASSIC car enthusiast is still reeling from checking the cowl tag on a beaten-up Chevrolet he found in long-term storage.
The motoring nut discovered that the car featured a super-rare design option when it rolled out of the firm’s Texas plant.
Classic car nut Patrick Glenn Nichols found this 1970 Chevrolet in storage[/caption]
The Chevelle SuperSport was one of the most beloved muscle cars of its era[/caption]
This one was in a sorry state when it was discovered[/caption]
The Chevrolet Chevelle is, to collectors at least, one of the most desirable muscle cars of its era.
While it doesn’t have the same name recognition as rivals like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger, it’s still revered by a cult following of fans and a favourite of connoisseurs.
Earlier this month, Chevvy expert Patrick Glenn Nichols came across an unrestored second-generation Chevelle dating back to 1970.
The run-down ride had been heavily modified over the years, with most of the major features swapped out.
He found it in a sorry state, up on blocks with peeling paintwork and the engine bay featuring a large gap where the drivetrain should be.
But it appears that back in its day, this particular Chevelle would have been quite the collectable.
The car’s records show that it originally came in a deep Fathom Blue color with a vinyl drop-top.
And when Patrick checked the cowl tag he found that the original roof came under the C category – meaning it featured the rare dark blue vinyl option.
Most Chevelle’s came with black or white hard roofs, making the blue vinyl particularly desirable.
They’re so rare that the manufacturer doesn’t even have a record of how many are out there and it’s tricky to find one outside of high-end auctions.
Sadly, the vinyl top was one of the features that previous owners had removed, but similar ones can be purchased to replace it in the restoration.
Patrick said: “This is the way I like to find the cars.
“All of us can find a car that’s already restored but we want to see how they looked before they were restored.
“What we do have here is a true SuperSport 1970 Chevelle.”
Tips on buying a used car
When looking to buy a used car, U.S. News & World Report experts have a few tips before walking onto the sales lot.
- Set a realistic budget. Some cars are more expensive to insure and register than others depending on engine type, body style, weight, and the amount of doors. Before being swindled by a crafty salesman, it’s important to know what you can and can’t afford.
- Researching what car would fit best into your lifestyle can save a lot of time. Would a sedan work better for your garage or narrow street? Would a truck meet hauling or towing needs? Knowing what suits your needs can narrow down your options.
- Look into certified pre-owned cars. Certified pre-owned cars are backed by the manufacturer and come with comprehensive warranties at affordable prices. Some manufacturers have better deals on CPO cars, so research diligently.
- Not all financing options are created equal. Depending on where you look to finance, if that’s on the table, be very careful about who you finance with. Your best option would be to get preapproved by your bank before going in to give you an idea of what rates are affordable, and to give a dealership incentive to meet or beat those rates.
- Consider a used car inspection. Depending on where you’re buying a vehicle from, you can opt to pay roughly $200 for a used car inspection to have key components examined by an expert.
- Consider a vehicle history report. When things get close to signing, buying a vehicle history report based on the VIN can help clarify the previous owners, maintenance records (if it was taken to a dealership), title status, and more.
Source: U.S. News and World Report
And that wasn’t the only thing that was special about it, with the auto expert revealing what you should be looking out for in a classic muscle car.
He added: “The car spent a lot of its life out there in the desert, where these cars survive really well.
“That’s where you want to find them.
“We all know the North East of the US dominates as far as volume of muscle cars.
“But the place you really would like to find them is out there in the desert of…the South West.”
It comes after we gave readers a look inside America’s largest graveyard of amphibious cars, worth over $100,000 but left to rot.
Most of the original features had been altered, right down to the paintwork[/caption]
The cowl tag revealed that it used to boat a rare vinyl soft top[/caption]
The current owner plans to restore the car to its former glory[/caption]
