And y'all think you have problems finding parts?

NOT to rail road this topic ...

I've always really liked the so-called "Colonnade" body styles of '73 - '77 !

55 Redneck : that's one sweet lookin' '75 442 !!

Up in Redlands ( Ca. ) sits a 1973 Chevelle SS 454 , with , get this ...


... factory-installed 4 speed !!!!!!
Swivel bucket seats , Rally gauges , etc. , etc.

It's got a sun-bleached "For Sale" sign in its back window , so I bite ; I'll go check into it ... maybe they don't know what they've got ?
I see a "W" engine code ( "W" = LS5 454 ; 1972 was the first year the G.M. added an engine code to their dash v.i.n.'s ) , so I get all numb and excited .

A courteous knock on the door produces some freaky lookin' gal whom appeared as though she hadn't seen the light-of-day in about 15 years ; she's very short with me :

lady" Yes ... can I help you with something ? "

me' Is that your Chevelle that's for sale ? '

lady" Do you know what it is ?" , as she gets this smug look on her crinkled face

me' It looks like a '73 and later Chevelle that needs a lot of work ' , was my reply

lady" Well , you wouldn't have stopped by if you didn't know what that car is . It's too fast ( LMFAO ! 16 second 1/4 mile times aren't fast ! ) I'm asking $16,000 for it... "

me' Tell ya what , ma'am , see the front license plate ? '

lady"Yeah..."

me' Everything behind it needs restored !! Knock one of those zeros off your asking price , and you've got a deal ! '

Needless to say , the car's still rotting in that same driveway , 6 years later .

So , a 1-of-200 made ( or so I've heard ) 1973 SS 454 Chevelle 4 speed is just returning to wince it came .