The Chevrolet Chevelle is one of those quintessential muscle cars that helped define its sect. Produced for three generations, from 1964 to 1977, the Chevelle was available in more than just its staple coupe form, including sedans, convertibles and station wagons. The 1971 model year used the same body as the 1970 model, but introduced a new front end and rear end with large Power Beam headlights, a wider grille with either the Chevrolet bowtie or SS badge, a redesigned bumper and integral park/signal/marker lights. Base Chevelles had a thinner, plain bar with no ornamentation. The more performance-focused SS variant remained and came with any of the Chevelle’s optional V-8 engines, ranging in displacement from 350 to 454 CI. The grille on the SS version was also painted flat black, as opposed to silver on the other trims. This particular 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible took the model’s original formula for speed and amplified it tenfold, transforming it into a performance-oriented Pro Touring car built to be driven. Finished in a menacing blacked-out color scheme, this Chevelle underwent a frame-off restoration by a professional Norwegian body and car painter in 2015, and has been driven only 7,000 miles since then. The body lines are unobstructed from front to back, with shaved door handles that open remotely, as does the trunk. Painted Chevelle script, using negative space to spell the word, adorns both rear fenders and is outlined by matching pinstripes. Under the hood is a CWB 454 CI V-8, the biggest engine offered in the 1971 Chevelle SS. The pavement-punishing performance upgrades that make it an ideal Pro Touring car include FiTech fuel injection, a performance camshaft, a 2004R automatic transmission with adjustable lockup, a 10-bolt differential with 4.10:1 ratio gears, stainless steel headers and exhaust, a 150 amp alternator and an electric cooling fan to keep the beast from overheating. Underneath sits a Baer 4-wheel big brake kit with 6-piston calipers and massive 14-inch rotors behind staggered Forgeline wheels wrapped in Falken 265/35ZR19 front tires and 295/30ZR20 rear tires. The JRi Shocks coilovers with hydraulic level adjustment and a pump mounted in the trunk can quickly change this Chevelle’s stance from a reasonable ride height for the road to low-and-slow for your local car show. The last piece of the puzzle is the Detroit Speed double multilink suspension with front A-arms and front and rear struts for handling that’s as impressive as the performance. The leather interior largely retains the look of the Chevelle SS, albeit with a few modern touches; the split bench seat with custom console is now complemented by a new sound system from Ground Zero and Hertz, a power-operated convertible top with glass window, a Dakota Digital instrument cluster and a custom steering wheel with the SS badge in the center. Overall, this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible screams performance while remaining stealthy. The bite of its menacing silhouette is backed up by its enhanced powertrain, and with a comfortable but supportive interior, you have the perfect Pro Touring formula distilled into a four-wheeled masterpiece.
