The '72 Chevelle Is Too Underrated
There were many iconic muscle cars of the 1960s and ‘70s. But somehow, the ‘72 Chevelle seems to have been forgotten.
Written by Tom Hindle
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Muscle cars form an integral part of the American car culture, and if you lived in the ‘70s you likely had the privilege of seeing some of the finest, most powerful, and hands-down stylish drag strip dominators. The popularity of these
classic cars
hit full throttle in the ‘60s, underpinned by the likes of the '67 Chevy Impala
and Chevelle, Ford's Firebird, and '67 Eldorado.In the early 70s, GM introduced the '72 Chevelle SS, the last car of the second-generation series. It was a masterpiece hot on the heels of the incredibly stylish '67 version that won the hearts of many muscle car enthusiasts. Although not talked about that much, the '72 Chevy Chevelle is a car to behold, and for the right reasons.
Design and features of the '72 Chevelle
The 1972 Chevelle had a design similar to its predecessors, featuring a muscular stance with a well-fabricated exterior that had a seductively flowing silhouette, so smooth that you could tell the car was fast even when stationary. But GM tinkered with the grille and added new parking lights on the front edges leading to the fenders.
While the base Chevelle comprised a SuperSport coupe and 4-door sedan, it came with a suspended accelerator, replacing the hinged one at the bottom, which dominated the previous models. Furthermore, shoppers could choose from a range of 15 exterior colors that included Pewter Silver, Covert Tan, Spring Green, Cranberry Red, and Golden Brown, to name a few.
The 1972 Chevelle also came with six engine options, including one I-6, one C8, and four V8s. As
AutoEvolution
noted, the heavy Chevy had an exclusive V8 454ci, but ordinary buyers could choose the second-in-line V8 402ci that cranked out an incredible 240 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque. These engines were mated with a 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, Powerglide, and Turbo engine.How much was the '72 Chevelle?
In the early 70s, when the Chevelle grew in popularity, COPO and Don Yenko were among the most successful Chevy dealers in the US. Through Chevy's Central Office Production Order, Yenko took care of sales of the lower potency engines of the '72 Chevelle, while COPO handled the coolest, exclusive, and most powerful: the 7.0L V8.
If you were to purchase the car back then, you could have paid a base price of $2,923 (an amount that today would be a throw-away price for a car in a junkyard). But GM built the car to last for generations, giving it a corrosion-resistant coat that lasts for decades. Today, some owners boast of not having to change a thing in their cars since their original purchases.
But a classic muscle car like that is more expensive today. If you want to lay your hands on the '72 Chevelle,
HotCars
suggests that you prepare about $50,000, and of course, the costs for a well-maintained mint model can easily go beyond the $100,000 mark. Nonetheless, the prices vary based on the car's roadworthiness, mileage, and aftermarket parts that went into their restorations. How the '72 Chevelle holds up today
Today, the '72 Chevelle is celebrating its Golden jubilee. The car is still popular today, 50 years after GM halted its manufacture. Its powerful, legendary engine, iconic styling, and nostalgic aura that comes with driving it make the Chevelle an excellent investment even today.
The second-generation Chevelle came with a flagship 7.4L 454ci Big-Block V8 that delivered an impressive 360 hp. The racing version delivered 450 hp, making the ‘72 Chevelle a worthy competitor in today's drag racing circuits. Racing enthusiasts would also love that the engine performed excellently with a three-and four-speed manual transmission.
The Chevelle also has a stylish design, including a coupe, sedan, convertible, and station wagon. Regardless of the style you prefer, you're guaranteed to get a slick design. Besides, driving the car evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, taking you back virtually 50 years after the vehicle made its market debut in 1972.
Use Jerry and shop for auto insurance stress-free
Insuring a vintage car is often more expensive than a modern vehicle, but it doesn't have to be like that. You can access tailored
car insurance
quotes from more than 50 nationally-renowned carriers by signing up for the Jerry app. Even with a classic car, Jerry
opens cost-saving opportunities, enabling you to retain more than $879 annually on auto insurance.
4.7
