1971 Chevy Chevelle Drag Car - Bbc, New Coan 400(w/transbrake) & Converter on 2040-cars

VIN: 136371R103610 Year: 1971
Number of Cylinders: 8
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Chevelle
Trim: 2 door
Drive Type: 12 bolt w/ Lenco mini spool 5.13 gear
Mileage: 78,260
Disability Equipped: No
Exterior Color: Metallic Orange
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Interior Color: Black (what's left)

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

For auction is my 1971 Chevy Chevelle drag car that I have owned since 1996.  It's very painful for me being forced to sell it but I can not afford to hold on to it any longer.  I invested a lot of time and money in this car and it should be evident from the pictures.  I want to be very clear that I must sell this vehicle and it is listed with no reserve.  Please bid only if you fully intend to follow through with the transaction.

Overall Description

A very nice Chevelle, with a solid/clean body and frame, professionally built BB Chevy powerhouse (409 ci total displacement) using top quality components.  I never got to enjoy it like I wanted to and the whole car has seen very little use other than tuning runs at the track.  I only had it to the track a handful of times, and and while the engine build is older, I put no more than 20-25 passes on it working the bugs out and never truely got to race it.  The engine runs excellent, is not tempermental and starts on the first crank even after sitting.  Alot of time was spent tuning and debugging, so much of the hard work is done for whoever buys this car.  I've had many compliments about how well it runs and sounds.  I'll try posting a short video if possible.  The car was stored in a heated shop from 1996-2009 and a storage unit since 2009.

Other highlights include a new Coan brainless TH-400 (zero passes) with transbrake and TCI trans. shield, new Coan high stall race converter (~ 4500, zero passes), 12-bolt rear with Lenco mini-spool (locked rear) 5.13 gears, ladderbars, line lock, Autometer lightweight guages, Autometer playback tachometer, fuel cell, BG (Barry Grant) high volume fuel pump, BG 850 Race Demon carburetor, MSD 7AL-2, MSD Pro coil, MSD crank trigger ignition, MSD billet distributor, MSD timing computer, Hooker super-comp headers and race mufflers.

Click here for additional 1971 Chevelle photos


Body Condition

Although not perfect the body is in very good/excellent condition.  It has a few scars, a little rust and a little bondo in the rear quarters but it is far from a "bondo baby".  I tried to show the worst in the wheelwell photos (see additional photos link).  The frame, floorboards, trunk, etc are all very clean.  The hood is a new Harwood pin-on 4" cowl fiberglass that needs hood pin holes drilled - I just don't have the time.  This Harwood hood is "lift off" style, not quite as light as my old race weight hood, but I can still lift it off by myself with no problem.

Although currently a drag car, it is very solid and could easily put back on the street with a little effort.  I never wanted to "hack" the car so it isn't tubbed, the trunk pan was not cut out to drop in the fuel cell (only notched for the fuel line), etc.  I did cut the floorboard around the transmission hump for trans. shield clearance and covered the hole with custom bent sheet metal from a fab shop.  The previous owner had installed a roll bar but I was unhappy with the quality and was planning on installing a new 10pt cage.  I cut the old cage out but haven't yet removed all of the old tubing.



Engine / Drivetrain

I have a copy of the parts list and all engine machining performed.  Total cost of internal parts and labor was $5450.00 - this is only the cost of the internal parts and machining since I used the existing block and heads and this also excludes intake manifold, carburetor, Brodix valve covers, ignition system.  The engine was professionally built with top quality components.  The block is a factory 402 two bolt main block that has been overbored .030 (effectively a 396 with .060 overbore).  Heads are GM iron oval port that were port matched to the Edelbrock Victor intake manifold and also mild bowl work (porting and polishing) was performed and Manley 2.19/1.88 valves.

Engine Specs:

• GM 402 BBC 2 bolt mains, bored .030, total displacement 409 cubic inches.
• GM forged crankshaft.
  
• GM BBC iron oval port heads with intake manifold port matching, minor bowl work and polishing.
• Manley 2.19/1.88 valves.
  
• 11.8 : 1 compression ratio.
• Race Demon 850 carburetor.
  
• Comp Cams roller cam and lifters

Cam Specs:                               INTAKE          EXHAUST

• GROSS VALVE LIFT             714                      714
• DURATION AT .020               288                      296
  
• DURATION AT .050               254                      262
• LOBE LIFT                           4200                    4200
• LOBE SEPARATION             108

Internals/Externals:

• Ross forged aluminum pistons & pinlocks (full floating).
• Total seal piston rings.
• Eagle H-beam connecting rods, 6.135 length.
  
• GM forged crankshaft .010 grind described as "perfect".
• Comp Cams solid roller camshaft with Comp Cams roller lifters.
• Harland Sharp gold rockers.
• Screw in head studs.
• Comp Cams triple valve springs.
• Comp Cams chromoly one-piece big diam. pushrods
• Comp Camps rev kit (lifter valley spring kit).
• Cam thrust bearing.
• Crane double roller timing chain.
• High volume oil pump.
• ARP Rod & Head bolts.
• High capacity oil pan - used pan from previous owner - works good but looks bad and I wish I had changed it.

I checked almost daily with the machine shop while I was having the engine built and oversaw the whole build.  The engine builder wasn't only a machinist but a former racer himself of many years.  He was full of wisdom and when we were done I he told me, "You should be able to take it to the track and beat the 'heck' out of it for 2 years, break it down, re-ring, re-bearing and take it out and beat it for another 2 years."

Best time I ran was a 12.00 flat at Milan and that was with a faultly 7AL-2 box (sent to MSD and fixed), the old TH-400 and a ballooning torque converter - Coan said it was pretty bad :)

The engine builder told me to expect high 10's low 11's for 1/4 mile times but said I'd go faster with a Powerglide vs. the 400 trans.

Known issues:

1. The engine builder told me I should have some form of valve train stabilization (stud girdle) since the cam is very high lift.  I have a Comp Cams unit that I could never get to fit properly.  You should install some form of valve train stabilization.
2. The valve springs are old and may need to be replaced.  I haven't checked the seat pressure in a while.
3. The tires are older so you may want to replace them for safety reasons.
4. The rear tires are a bit small with the 5.13 gear (hitting rev limit through the traps).  I would use a 29.5" tall tire instead.
   
5. You will need to install a roll cage with a halo.  A roll bar won't meet NHRA regulations since I cut the floor.
6. You will need to locate and drill the hood pin holes.
7. The transbrake worked exactly one time in a parking lot test.  Solenoid now won't engage.  I am unsure what the issue is but you may need a new solenoid.
8. Oil pan works but is an eyesore.  It was beat up by the previous owner - not me.
9. Very, very faint "ghost image" on rear quarter panels.  Previous owner had a shop and hand painted the shop name in script across the quarters.  I removed it with compound but the paint underneath isn't faded quite as much.  Never bothered me.
   

Overall this would make a very nice drag car for anyone interested or could even be put back on the street with some work.  Hope it finds a good home and I'll miss it more than anyone could ever understand.

I have sold some big ticket items before on Ebay and I don't exaggerate my descriptions.  Please check my feedback for proof.  I will guarantee that if I have not described this car truthfully / accurately that the winning bidder may refuse the transaction upon physical inspection.  I will gladly speak with potential buyers over the phone, however I don't want to post my phone number openly so email me first and we can exchange numbers.

I require a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 within 48 hours of auction end and I am setting a hard limit that payment is due in full within 10 days of the auction ending - no exceptions.  I will accept cash, cashiers check or a wire transfer.  Obviously not street legal and it will have to be trailered, but since someone stole my car hauler years ago (not kidding) I can't help you out in that department even if you are close.  Buyer pays any shipping costs.

Thanks for looking and happy bidding.


Click here for additional 1971 Chevelle photos

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On Aug-06-13 at 18:22:55 PDT, seller added the following information:

*Note - I reserve the right to end this auction early.