Value of my 1971 SS Chevelle w/350

160

Asked by Marineman Aug 13, 2015 at 05:45 PM about the Chevrolet Chevelle

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

I bought this 1971 SS Chevelle in 2007. Have only done 2 car shows, both good size
events, winning trophies at both. This car was ordered from the factory by the original
owner. I have the "Build Sheet", original owners manual, and the brochure from the
Dealership. The car was repainted with the original color, and a full restore has been
done. I have had the car for 8 years and it looks as good as the day I bought it. It has
the stock 350 motor, which has been rebuilt and has been modified with a blower, cam,
and plenty of chrome under the hood. I have searched online for years and have yet to
find one even close to mine. The 350 motor was not desirable in the SS, so finding a
true SS (not a Clone) appears to be rare. I also went on quality sites to determine a
value, using the VIN, and they tell me they have no value for my car, which seems to
be another indication of rarity. I have the stock 4 speed Muncie, full possie rear end,
and all of the other SS features. Everything works, the engine is bad ass powerful, and
the car is strait as an arrow. I did find one site that gave me a value based off of certain
criteria, which was 50,000. I'm looking for some feedback on this, and I have felt after
years of searching that the 50K figure might be low. I also have worked in the auto
industry, and I've been an insurance agent for the last 12 years, insuring Classic Cars
for some of my clients.

56 Answers

1,585

50K for an SS350 is extremely high... A big block SS454 convertible might go that high if someone really wanted it and if it was all orignal and mint... ss350 is not that rare - and also not original any longer with blower and etc...ebay seach shows sales in the 10-20k range Check nada classic car values - a 1971 ss350 4 speed AC Malibu chevelles MINT condition High retail is about 40K... autotrader . com has many listings - most priced that high sit and sit for years and never sell... ebay same - big blocks are much rarer than the 350... check chevelles. com and chevellestuff . net -- there is tons of info avaialble - you can even get original; info about the car from the registry...

8 people found this helpful.
160

Squatt, I agree, it seems high until you realize the rarity of the car I have. And like Tom said, there is a guide that I found that said the value was almost 50K. I have also attempted to find values on sites that asked for the VIN#, and the response is, "We don't have a value for this car." I have looked for years online and at the shows I've done or visited, and I have yet to find a Chevelle like the one I have. If you find one, let me know. Just type in "1971 Chevelle SS 350". Most are Clones or Big Blocks. Another interesting thing that happened is I know a gentleman who has been in charge of the Car Shows done here where I live. He also owns several Classic Cars and is quite experienced in the field of old autos. He emphatically told me one day while standing in the parking lot of Walmart, "Your car is not original". You don't want to hear what I said, but I did tell him to do his homework and then call me. I gave him my number and within the hour I had a phone call with an apology. Not very many even know that the 350 is available in the SS, and most didn't want a small block motor in this Chevy classic. I have even called Chevrolet and they mailed me a total break down of my car. I've also researched the websites you've mentioned in the past, with no luck. If locate one as clean as mine with the original paperwork, let me know. Thanks, Marineman

1 people found this helpful.
160

Also, there's not a single person who has judged my car and told me, "The engine modification has devalued my car." Most consider the mod acceptable and actually an impressive addition to this type of muscle car. The engine could easily be spec'd back to it's original state, and I have the original used parts (carb, etc.) in case someone wants to revert. Here's a picture of what's underneath the hood.

1,585

Yes, very nice, go ahead and try to get 50K ...the market will determine the value.

7 people found this helpful.
1,585

Read up on chevells.com and chevellestuff.net and even wikipedia... in the chevelle 'community it is very well known that the 350 was available... here is what wikipedia says right now... For 1971, the SS option was reduced to one RPO code, RPO Z15, and was only available for the Chevelle Malibu. This RPO code required any optional engine and transmission available in the Chevelle lineup. Since the 307 V8 was the standard base V8 in 1971, it could not be ordered with the SS option; one had to order one of the two 350 V8 engines (L65 or L48), the LS3 402 or the LS5 454. The minimum Chevelle SS engine was a two-barrel 350-cubic-inch V8 rated at 245 gross (165 net) horsepower. Optionally available was a four-barrel carbureted version of the 350 V8 rated at 275 gross (200 net with dual exhaust and 175 net with single exhaust) horsepower. The 402 cid big-block engine continued to be optional as the SS 396 but was only available in one horsepower rating, 300 gross (260 net) horsepower, and was not available with cowl induction. The base LS5 454 V8 produced 365 gross and 285 net horsepower, but cowl induction was available that produced more power because of the air induction and louder exhaust system. The LS6 had been planned for 1971, but was dropped before production. As a result the LS6 was only available in the 1971 Corvette. Similarly, the high performance 455 cid engine that was in the 1970 Buick Skylark GS/GSX Stage I had been planned for 1971, but was dropped before production. The parts that would have been used for the 1971 Buick engine were sold to buyers as spare parts delivered in the trunk for the buyer to use and was called the Stage II option. Chevrolet specifications for 1971 included both "gross" and "net" horsepower figures for all engines. The SS option could be ordered with any optional V8 and became more of a dress-up option than a performance option. GM mandated all divisions design their engines to run on lower-octane regular, low-lead or unleaded gasoline. To permit usage of the lower-octane fuels, all engines featured low compression ratios (9:1 and lower; well below the 10.25-11.25:1 range on high- performance engines of 1970 and earlier).... I would not say the mods 'devalue' your car .... just that a ss350 mint will not sell for 50K - if you get an offer for 50k take it imo...

3 people found this helpful.
1,585

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Chevrolet-Chevelle-/331578595319? forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d339fd7f7&item=331578595319&nma=tru e&si=mDDPIzcbEYdh%252BGfyR5h0aiwUOr8%253D&orig_cvip=true &rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 http://classiccars.com/listings/view/252445/1971-chevrolet-chevelle-ss- for-sale-in-stratford-new-jersey-08084 http://www.cars-on-line.com/74555.html http://www.cars-on-line.com/76074.html http://www.cars-on-line.com/79430.html http://www.cars-on-line.com/66979.html http://www.ebay.com/itm/19710000-Chevrolet-Chevelle- /281727567946? forcerrptr=true&hash=item419845884a&item=281727567946&nma=tr ue&si=mDDPIzcbEYdh%252BGfyR5h0aiwUOr8%253D&orig_cvip=tru e&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Chevrolet-Chevelle-SUPER-SPORT- /191583263259? forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c9b409a1b&item=191583263259&nma=tr ue&si=mDDPIzcbEYdh%252BGfyR5h0aiwUOr8%253D&orig_cvip=tru e&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

3 people found this helpful.
1,585

there were so many that there was not enough room to post them all in the answer box I beleive you can get the history of the car from GM using the VIN - costs 50$ or so... pretty sure can find the number of 350's in 1971 SS via one of the many chevelle history websites...

4 people found this helpful.
160

Like I said, show me another Chevelle like mine. The links your provided don't show one. I have been all over ebay, Classiccars.com, and many other sites, and none of them have one.

1 people found this helpful.
1,585

what exactly do you mean by "like mine" - fully restored - rebuilt with added bolt ons? ...red and black??? in the end the value is all in what someone else would pay for it...even NADA guide is not 50K fo rthe SS350 and NADA is always high. http://chevellestuff.net/1971/71ss.htm For 1971, any optional V8 engine and transmission was now available which meant the L65 350-2, the L48 350-4, as well as the LS3 400-4 and LS5 454-4 engines could be ordered as well as any manual 4- speed or 3-speed automatic. The 307 cubic inch engine could not be ordered with the Z15 option since it was not an optional engine but rather the base V8 engine. Some claim the 307 was available early in the model year but no documented 307 has been reported with the Z15 option. links to cars sold and for sale work if you copy and paste - not sure why I can find grundles of them while you can't find one??? what are using to search with??? You were looking for opinions on valu - 50K is high in my opinion (IMO)...as I recall when gettng insurance for mine you "CAN" pay for what you think the value is - you can pay them for 50K if you think it would cost that much to replae it...on the other hand the state of VA tells me it is basically worthless- 100 dollar value

2 people found this helpful.
160

Every single Chevelle for sale MUST be checked out in full detail. The biggest flaw I have found for 350 SS models are Clones. You can't tell they are a Clone unless they either say it is in the fine print, or, you buy it and find out you've been ripped off. Also, I'm just asking you to do what I have done; look for a true 350 SS in the pristine condition mine is in, with the original Build Sheet. Mine was ordered from the Factory by the first owner, not purchased off the floor at the Dealership. You also cannot trust NADA for classic values. They say my Chevelle is worth 16,715.00. This figure is so far off that using this guide is a complete waste of time. Buyclassiccars.com's Market Review says my car is worth 42,565.00. Hagerty's valuation tool, which asks for a VIN# says they have "No Pricing Data" for this model. They have values for all of the big blocks and Malibu's, but not the SS 350 4bbl.

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report? vbe=21524 Hagertys shiows about 25K for a ss350 in mint condition - flat to down for the last 9 years A little more if it is a Chevelle Malibu SS 350 Have the car appraised if your worried about it...or sell it for 50k if thats what someone offers you.... Here is one from Barrett jackson - seller pays fee so went under 40 . . http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Archive/Event/Item/1971- CHEVROLET-CHEVELLE-SS-2-DOOR-HARDTOP-161867

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Archive/Event/Item/1971-CHEVROLET- CHEVELLE-SS-COUPE-17718

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Chevrolet-Chevelle-/331578595319? forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d339fd7f7&item=331578595319&nma=true& si=mDDPIzcbEYdh%252BGfyR5h0aiwUOr8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=n c&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

2 people found this helpful.
160

No SS Stripes from the factory, no Duel Exhaust, Automatic Transmission, color is ugly as sin, and this is just from looking at the pictures. Not even the same car.

2 people found this helpful.
160

And the tool you're using on Hagerty, you need to look at my model. There is "No Pricing Data" available. https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch

1,585

Highlite the link - right click mouse- go to...

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

that color was rare on the SS350... very desirable today...much more than the common red and black... Stripes were optional...

5 people found this helpful.
1,585

there are tons of them out there... small block more common than big block - big blocks sell for more...and more highly valued

3 people found this helpful.
1,585

what is the car... 1971 chevelle or chevelle malibu with 350 - was the 350 a 2bbl L65 or an L48...Hagerty shows them all

3 people found this helpful.
160

Thanks for the help on getting to the Link. The red Chevelle on the ebay link has an immediate "Red Flag". A 350 emblem under the SS is not an option. The car is full of rust. Bench seat.

1 people found this helpful.
160

Hagerty doesn't show mine for some reason. Mine is the 1971, L48, SS Chevelle, 2dr hardtop. And it's not a Malibu.

2 people found this helpful.
160

The blue Chevelle on ebay appears to be a Clone. Even the seller admits to non matching numbers. Badging on hood says "Cowl Induction" (not available on the SS 350), the dash is not SS and shows an automatic transmission was in this car.

160

Same thing with the second blue Chevelle; appears to be a Clone. No SS hood pins, badging on hood with "Cowl Induction", bench seat, on the fly auto transmission lever.

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

Hagerty shows Chevelle with L48, the SS was an option- Z15 ...Nada shows same thing...hood pins were part of the z15 equipment option.. "information indicates hood locking pins were part of the package with the standard, domed hood. Several documented SS-optioned Chevelles from various plants have been found without the hood pins". And many were taken off if the hood was replaced- most important thing to look for is the round gauges on the dash - even those can be changed though.... also many SS were ordered with column shift - console was an option with the U shifter. and bucket seats You say you have the codes from the build sheet? take a pic let me see what it is, maybe its a rare one...does build sheet have a Z15?

2 people found this helpful.
1,585

http://chevellestuff.net/tools/vin_decoder.htm

1 people found this helpful.
160

I may sound lazy, but the build sheet is downstairs and my wife is about to bring me dinner and we're going to watch a movie. I will bring it up tomorrow and answer your other questions about the VIN. Thanks for being patient with this old Marine.

1 people found this helpful.
1,585

glad to help - a couple of my neighbors are marines - where is the car... we are in DC area - close to ft belvoir - close enough for me to see it???

3 people found this helpful.
1,585

my goal is help marineMan determine why the Hagerty vin plugger says "No Pricing Data" available..And to get more helpful points...go ahead and mark my posts as helpful please

4 people found this helpful.
1,585

and to determine why Tom's answer is marked the 'Best answer' ... even though it does not identify "the Guide" nor provide any supporting evidence with actual prices of recently sold vehicles nor are any further questions about the vehicle raised...could of at least said hows the paint...

2 people found this helpful.
160

Squatt, I live in the other Washington, so seeing it would require a visit to the West Coast. lol Tom deleted his post about, "Why I'm doing this", and the reason is simple; I'm need a good figure for the insurance policy, but I also feel I have a rare Chevelle.

1 people found this helpful.
1,585

If the build sheet has the Z15 option then it is a Chevelle Malibu SS - the VIN number indicates whether it is plain Chevelle or a Chevelle Malibu - all of the information for decoding VIN and options form build sheet can be found in the links to Chevelles dot com and ChevelleStuff dot net - according to the sites no Chevelle was built with a Z15 option in 71 - Z15 could only be ordered on a Chevelle Malibu...if the first five numbers of the VIN indicate it is a Chevelle and not a Chevelle Malibu and the build sheet with that same VIN indicates a z15 option then it is rare contact the Chevelle authorities

1 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
60

I just read your dialogue I thought that I would respond. I am the original owner of a 1971 Chevelle Malibu SS 350/270hp, 4 barrel carb., 4-speed manual transmission, 12 bolt rear end. I purchased it new by special ordering it from the factory in 1971 with all the SS options. It only came with a single exhaust because you could not get dual exhaust on it. As Marineman indicates, I think that they are pretty rare because everybody back then was ordering the the big block 454 engine. I ordered it with the 350 engine because at that time insurances were very high on the big block cars. I have all the paper work from my sales order, metal warranty card, temporary paper license plate, build sheet with all the options that I ordered. My car is still in excellent condition. However, I have repainted it, new clutch, new vinyl roof, rebuilt the engine with a little cam in it. I think that my Chevelle is probably one of very few, if not the only one with this engine in existence because very few Chevelle SS Malibu cars were ordered with this engine. I hope that helps.

4 people found this helpful.
60

Sorry, what I meant in my final sentence was it may be the only "original owner" car of this type in existence.

160

Chevelleman, thanks for your input. Some great info and confirmation that the SS 350 models were rare. One thing though, you could get duel exhaust on the 350 4 barrel model. I don't have my build sheet at my office, but I went through every option and checked to make sure the car was stock and the duel exhaust is original equipment on my car. Here is a website showing that that option was available (The comment is taken from the website) "Available in all models as package (350cid, 396 or 400CID, 454CID). Chrome wheel moldings, cowl induction hood, SS badges, decorative engine compartment and heavy duty suspension. The smallest Chevelle SS engine capacity was a 2-barrel 350-cubic-inch V8 slated at 245 gross Horsepower. Available optionally was a 4-barrel carbureted version of the 350 V8 rated at 275 gross (175 net with single exhaust and 200 net with dual exhaust) horsepower." http://carswithmuscles.com/1971-chevrolet-chevelle-ss-modification-of-1971-chevrolet-chevelle/

60

I hate to tell you that where ever you are getting your information from is not correct. I don't know how old you are but I am 69 years old and when I ordered my Chevelle I desperately to get the factory to put dual exhaust on mine, but they would not do it I hate to tell that where you are getting your information from, they are wrong. I am 69 years old and when I ordered my Chevelle in 1971 they told me that dual exhaust was not available for the 350 V8/270 hp engine. I desperately tried to get the factory to install it on car and they would not. I had to put duals on it after I bought. You can read all you want about what people think was available, but I am living proof that it was not available. I am just trying to give some correct information. Chevelleman

2 people found this helpful.
160

Chevelleman, thanks for putting me to the test. After digging for hours, you are correct unless someone else says different. The dual exhaust was only available on the Big Blocks, even if you ordered the SS 350 Chevelle. Why it was so difficult for me to find the answer to this is because there are so few 350 SS's out there, and tons of Clones. I do have a manual that GM sent me that shows just about everything you need to know about the this model year, and it confirmed your information. Then I looked in the packet from the previous owner who restored the car and there are receipts for installing the dual exhaust. And he did it for good reason, as the engine is stock, but modified with high performance parts such as the Blower, Cam, and other fun stuff. I did go through my "Build Sheet", and everything else checks out on the car, and nowhere does it state dual exhaust. And I will bet you, most who purchased the 350 SS ended up putting the better exhaust system on the car.

10

Hi all much appreciation reading your comments, I have a 1971 350 Chevelle ss with a build sheet with a 4 speed and a ordered bench seat. I though it was a rare car as well and I am trying to come up with a selling price. My car is in great shape and just restored 100%. Red with black stripes with vinyl top.

1 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 1971 Chevelle with a factory built 4 speed manual transmission. I

1 people found this helpful.

That your car is stock except for the engine mods is a good thing. The engine mod costs really cannot be recovered when you sell the car and it would be more valuable if the car was completely original under the hood. Enjoy your car - very cool.

20

Well, I also have a 1971 Chevelle SS 350. Not a clone. It has the L48. I got mine back in 1999 in Huntington Beach CA. No mods to the engine. The only major mods are the exhaust system and wheels. I’m not planning on ever selling although I do get offers all the time. I’ve had fun reading this thread.

2 people found this helpful.
10

i just have a question. i have the original hood of a 71 chevelle malibu. Its in good condition. what would something like that sell for? TIA

1 people found this helpful.

My God this guy has his head in the clouds. There were more SS 350 Chevelles made than big blocks. Your car is not “rare” at all. I have been buying - selling GM muscle cars for over 40 years. You will never see 50k for a 2bbl 350 SS. 25-30k if it is in unmolested condition.

160

Bowtie, I just sold my Chevelle for 38,500 and I believe I could have garnered 50K to the right buyer. A true SS 350 in mint condition is a rare find. I spent 10 years researching this model year and there are very few out there.

10

You have a beautiful! Car!! Not that you don't know that already. I have an original 71 SS (not a clone) with a 350 original 2 barrel. Matching numbers in what I think is good shape. I had an appraisal done for insurance it appraised at $18k. It took almost all 4 years of high school to talk my Daddy out of this car. We agreed if I graduated he would put the car in my name. I got into arguments with people often enough that my Daddy had a paper laminated showing it's "real SS". I enjoyed the reaction from people as they realized this girl new what she was talking about. Priceless :-)

1 people found this helpful.
10

my car has a 402 automatic has no ss signs just b&w with strips front front to rear hood has pins black grille

1 people found this helpful.

Several years later...I have seen a few SS Chevelles that came with 350 ci but where swapped to a 454.

20

MY MOM HAD A 71' CHEVELLE..BACK IN THE 70S AGE 6 FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT CAR AND SHE LOOKED SO COOL IN IT...TODAY I DRIVE A CAMARO 14" MY MOM IS DECEASED..WISH SHE CUD HAVE JOINED THIS CONVO... #SALUTE MARINEMAN

2 people found this helpful.

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