Latest Acquisition 73 SS 454

Hi,
My name is Dave. I grew up with high-performance Fords in my blood. My dad purchased new in 1970 a '70 Mustang Mach 1, 428 Cobra Jet, 4 speed. He still owns and drives it. I have owned several mustangs and Fords over the years. 5 years ago, I met my wonderful girlfriend. Her dad was a die-hard GM man. After a few years of being "welcomed" into the family, he said that I got the task of keeping his cars alive and running after he passes. Well, a little more than 2 years ago, that sad day came.

He left my girlfriend 3 neat GM cars. Her dad built for her a 54 Chevy 210, painted it blue and white, added a 425 hp 355 cu in small block with a turbo 350. Custom interior. Really a sweet ride.

2nd car for her is an unrestored 58 Corvette, 283 4bbl, 230hp power-glide, and power top. Red w/white coves. Another really cool car.

3rd car is the 73 Chevelle SS 454 4speed. Now I didn't get to talk to him much about this car, as when I found out what it was, he only had a few days left. Now, her dad did a frame off restoration/restomod to this car in 1990-91. It is painted a 1985 GM "Monte Carlo SS" cherry black with a maroon vinal top. When he purchased the SS he knew what he was buying. He told me before he passed. He got the car with a blown SBC, and being that we are in Wisconsin, a fairly rusted car. "I got that SS for just $200.00" he said with a smile. "You know that is the last year of the SS model, and it came with a 454." He did 100% of the body work, replacing fenders, quarters, hood, doors. He built a 350 for it as that is what came in the car when he got it. And 350's were cheaper to build than building a 454 for it back in the early 90's. He knew it was a BB car as it had the "Y" in the vin for 454. 3 months before he passed, he was driving it and the motor let go (huge hold in the drivers side front of block). He installed a new 350 cu in vortec GM crate motor. 357hp 407 TQ, roller cam. Nice running motor. I spent a few hours helping him get it tuned and broken in. I will post some pictures when I am able to.

After her dad passed, I mentioned that I would like to return the SS to its correct 454 motor. This has not gone as smoothly as I had hoped. "Why do we need a new motor in it? It has a new motor in it" she says. I try to explain to her how it should have the same motor that it came with from the factory. It would be worth more with the "correct" motor. I reassured her that I was not looking to make a race car, just a nice cruiser. I currently have a 454 short block from a 73 Chevelle the has a # stamp that is only 130 cars after the SS. Looking for some heads and other associated parts so I can have it built back to factory-ish spects.

I know that it is hard to find production #'s on these GM cars. Sorry, but Ford sold all their records to a guy that has entered them into a computer and can prove the production #'s of how many were built. This is a really neat feature and I wish GM would do the same so we could verify the "true" production numbers and options a said vin came with. From what I have seen, around 2500 SS 454 cars were built. Of that around 600 were 4 speeds. I am sure that lots of these didn't survive.

If all goes well, I am going to see if I can get it into the Muscle Car & Corvette National show in 2023. Just talked about it with my girlfriend as we walked around the show. It will be "Class of 73" next year so that is what I am shooting for. She said go ahead. I don't think I will have the 454 in and ready by then, but I was thinking about having it on an engine stand next to the car???

Thanks, Pictures to follow soon.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!!

Dave

Welcome to the show - you will find a lot of people here that can help you with parts and knowledge, I am sure.
Cheers, Ross

Howdy and welcome to the GM club!

It's funny, I literally just got done watching the Patrick Glenn Nichols walk around video of the muscle car and Corvette show. There were a few G3's seen in the video and one was even a '73 SS, although a wagon.

Welcome to the Site Dave, Truly sorry about losing your Girlfreinds Father. AndYea I cant wait to see the Build of the 73 ..... Wedo have a Spot at bottom of Forum for the NON G3 Projects / Showcase as well Post them up would for one love to see them

Welcome!

I would agree that a period correct 454 would do more for the value of an SS that a later SBC.

As for the SS, the 1974-1976 Laguna Type S-3's are SS's - S-3 stood for Laguna Seca Super Sport. In 1973 the Laguna was a new upgraded trim level, in 1974 it became the SS.

Welcome Dave! Looking forward to seeing updates on your 73 SS.

Hi Dave, welcome to the site where guys love and appreciate the 1973-1977 Colonade cars. I have something of interest for you. if you would like a copy of the Chevelle Report, its the 25th Silver Anniversary of the Chevelle. The whole issue is focused on the 1973 Chevelles. There is a 1973 Chevelle SS 454 4 speed car on the cover. it was then owned by Mark Tompkin, I bought it from him in 2005. Its a true matching numbers car built at the Kansas City Plant the 5th week of May. In fact GM put a 74 block in my car. I have the build sheet marked COPO. It spent several years in the Floyd Garret Muscle Car museum in Sevierville Tennesee. It is a mostly un restored car, the original owner had it painted once. Also have a loaded all optioned 1973 el Camino SS 350 $ barrel car. If you would like a color copy of The Chevelle Report, let me know, Thank You, and again Welcome!! Mitchell