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 .