Image Credit: Auto Auction Rebuilds / YouTube.A clean 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle with classic muscle-car looks and a much more highway-friendly transmission is up for grabs. The car belongs to the Auto Auction Rebuilds YouTube channel, where its owner recently announced that he's asking $35,000 for it.This isn't a genuine SS, despite wearing the familiar red paint, black stripes, and visual cues associated with Chevrolet's performance trim. Instead, it's an SS-style tribute built around a 350-cubic-inch V8 and a modern Tremec five-speed manual conversion.That transmission swap is arguably the biggest selling point. Rather than buzzing along at elevated rpm with an old-school four-speed, the Chevelle now has an overdrive gear that makes it better suited to long cruises and highway driving.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe seller is also candid about what the car is and isn't. He describes it as a reliable, attention-grabbing cruiser rather than a drag-strip weapon, and says it has spent the past few months mostly sitting in his garage.The Tremec Swap Changes The Whole CharacterImage Credit: Auto Auction Rebuilds / YouTube.The Chevelle's exact Tremec model is unclear, with the owner saying he couldn't remember whether it is a TKX or TKO. What he does confirm is that the transmission has very few miles on it and significantly improves the car's usability.Power comes from a 350 V8 with a relatively straightforward setup that includes an Edelbrock carburetor, aluminum intake, HEI distributor, chrome Chevrolet valve covers, and long-tube headers. The car also has a positraction rear end, although the seller doesn't recall the final-drive ratio.He says the Chevelle delivers around 17 mpg, with the five-speed's overdrive doing much of the work there. That's hardly economy-car territory, but for a carbureted classic V8, it's a respectable figure.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe seller also notes that the car isn't especially fast by modern standards. It has enough power to be fun, but buyers expecting a tire-shredding monster or something built for quarter-mile duty should probably look elsewhere.Plenty Of Recent Work Has Been DoneImage Credit: Auto Auction Rebuilds / YouTube.Several components have already been updated. The Chevelle recently received a new RedHead steering gearbox, Bilstein shocks, fresh fluids, new wheels, and Cooper Radial GT tires.The car also has power steering and power brakes, although it does not have air conditioning. It retains the old Astro Ventilation setup, which can move outside air into the cabin but won't offer much relief on truly hot days.During the video, the owner says the car completed a roughly 40-mile drive in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit without overheating. Oil pressure also remained healthy, and the engine reportedly starts easily even after sitting for extended periods.It Isn't Perfect, And The Seller Says SoImage Credit: Auto Auction Rebuilds / YouTube.Cosmetically, the Chevelle presents very well, but the owner points out a handful of flaws rather than pretending it's concours-perfect. There are some paint chips, slight fading around parts of the black trim, cracked rear taillights, and aged paint on the engine and headers.AdvertisementAdvertisementSeveral replacement parts are included, including new taillights, a rearview mirror, and a license-plate holder. One windshield wiper also needs replacement, the horn doesn't work, and the ammeter isn't connected.The seller says the car is rust-free, including the trunk, and emphasizes that the black SS stripes are painted and clear-coated rather than vinyl decals.$35,000 For A Turnkey CruiserInside, the Chevelle retains a mostly traditional look with a few functional upgrades. There's a tachometer integrated where the factory clock once lived, auxiliary gauges, a tilt column, and a modernized retro-style radio.At $35,000, this is positioned as a ready-to-enjoy driver rather than a restoration project. The combination of classic Chevelle styling, a small-block V8, and a modern five-speed should appeal most to someone who values drivability over originality and wants to actually use the car rather than park it under a cover.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
