HOLY GRAIL 70 Chevelle LS5 4-speed Convertible sitting in yard!

This is probably one of the rarest Chevelles you will come across with so many options. This farm fresh car is a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, LS5 454 car, 4-speed with air conditioning. This car was special ordered by a serviceman serving overseas.
The car was raced and used well in the years the owner drove it. But as it sits, even after a tree fell on it, the engine is complete from the cowl induction air cleaner all the way to the oil pan.
Not quite a barn find, but you can see clearly the barns on the property.
/ theautoarchaeologist
/ autoarchaeology
/ autoarchaeology
/ theautoarchaeologist
/ theautoarchaeologist
www.barnfinds.org
[e-mail]
Artwork by / bzro9ouljmo

[@TroyOnymous]

As a Chevelle owner and enthusiast this thing is heart wrenching. A 70 SS454 with the drop top is one of the most desirable Chevelles on earth, and this thing has rust in places I've never even seen a Chevelle rust in, the frame and undercarriage have to be 80% gone at this point. The engine and trans could be worth something to someone, but from the sound of his story I'd imagine it was parked because he blew something up at some point, so it's probably shot.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Agreed. There are people that have foresight and people that are just 'hard drivers' and tear everything up. What do you expect from a guy that brags about carrying an air mattress, a six pack and a box of fireworks in the trunk. If that's even true. Most people wouldn't admit to it. Date night- a Hot Dog, a beer and the back seat! Story time!

[@NineFourOneMedia]

I had one for about six years, sold it around 8 years ago. Really nice example, too. Lots of salvageable things I could see for anyone who doesn't want to deal with knock-off parts: headlight surrounds, side mirrors, rear bumper pad, air cleaner housing, front bumper, taillights, emblems, side marker trim...the list goes on. The hood actually looks salvageable, too.

[@TroyOnymous]

@@NineFourOneMedia Sure there are some parts here and there that could be used, but I'd bet a dozen donuts if the owner was asked if he'd sell the car, or anything on it, out comes the whole "I'm gonna restore that one of these days", and continues to let it rot into the earth sadly.

[@BlowmeRoger]

Everything is restorable,its just if its desirable enough or not to.

[@electrix6751]

@@TroyOnymous _"out comes the whole "I'm gonna restore that one of these days","_ Self-delusion big time.

[@MobMarked]

I owned a 70 SS 454 LS5 390hp. M22 Fine spline In...Fine Spline out. Cowl Induction, Buckets, Console, Full Gauge package, 12 Bolt Posi. I miss it to this day. Should never have sold it. My block serial # had the prefix...CRT . HI Perf. Block, domed pistons. Pass heads. But I bought and installed the Large Port, Closed Chamber heads . from the LS6. That car was a beast.

[@32degreesretarded62]

For all of you "its his car to do what he wants with" ... that does not change the fact he is an asshole for letting it rot.

[@mattie3595]

Reminds me of a saying: ‘How you do anything - is how you do everything.’

[@robertclark9]

What a waste. I’ll bet over the years there was probably at least a hundred fair offers on it. Just let it rot away.

[@zacariasblanco9738]

It can be a 1000 offers don't matter was not for sale

[@tomwinkle1597]

Sad, he wants to be buried with it.

[@jamesdamron2065]

Sux but gotta remember ,he bought it new!✌ the way it goes sometimes,, reminds me of when I bought a 69 road r, hemi car. Guy sold me the car for 50$ in the 80s but would never sell me the engine! Lmfao he didn't own any other cars wasn't a car guy. It's still in his damn garage today

[@sinistercharger]

Why would you not sell it and watch it rot and become virtually worthless..Its Ludicrous.Then leave it parked in the woods! Not even in a Garage..It beggars belief

[@tomwinkle1597]

@@sinistercharger i agree. Seems like if you really loved a car, you would want to see it back on the road. Maybe a big storm will put the poor ride out of her misery.

[@brucejedwabny3473]

My senior year in HS in 1978 I purchased a used 69 SS Chevelle 396 with a Turbo 400 automatic for $1,200, had it for a couple years and in 1981 sold it for $2,000 to pay for my college tuition. I’m 62 years old now and I still kick myself in the ass for doing that.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Wow!

[@joshender9606]

I'm sorry, but you have to be totally insane to let a car like this sit, knowing what it is.

[@Kelly-fk3oi]

The car owner will eventually come to rest unfortunately rust doesn't come to rest.

[@johnmacdonald5483]

Wonder what the frame is like?

[@That_Honda_guy]

@@johnmacdonald5483it’s probably badly rusted through the frame in areas.

[@johnmacdonald5483]

​@@That_Honda_guy No doubt sitting on grass can be harsh,besides, the fact it's 50 years old has to be considered. Car like this would be worth a frame swap,not to make money of course but if a guy wanted the gratification of doing it themselves and just the fact their are few survivors like this one.

[@krazykozey2259]

I can fix this car.... I would love to dedicate 2 years of my life to this..

[@joejoe6182]

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING

[@timothyroatenberry1274]

Seeing that SS chevelle convertable like that will make an old car lover cry !

[@stephenhorbatiuk2811]

The sad thing to thestory is: Who ever the owner is will never sell it. He thinks, “oh one day I will get it running!!” It will never happen. Time passes us by very quickly. There that Chevelle sit and rusts into the ground. It’s not a shame. It’s just the life, of a old man with a young man’s heart!! Cheers

[@vinceficeti3878]

Why would anyone screw with a car that already came with all the goodies ...They killed it ! Lol

[@timothyroatenberry1274]

That makes a grown guy shed a tear ! 😭

[@x-man5056]

A convertible with AC is worth more at action when restored, but that thing needs the car jacked up and a new one driven underneath it.

[@jimmygrant424]

very well put!!!!

[@davidlandeck3406]

This is the same guy that was soo particular that he didn't want a dealer emblem installed...

[@AutoArchaeology]

Correct

[@Mr-er6fg]

No shit!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Setting a while is an understatement!

[@131313x]

WOW! what a story behind that one! and I love my 70 Chevelle's! My high school car is waiting for its time for a comeback!

[@mikem7052]

These are beautiful machines. I stored an identical pristine LS6 in my shop for a local collector for years. Who is up for the challenge on this one ? What a shame !

[@timothyballinger6280]

Some points of the story sounds like tall tales around the old dude lying table lol!

[@rongreen8485]

My mind can't comprehend how this is allowed to happen. I'm currently working on a 65 Olds Jetstar 88 convertible that I dug out of a yard. Sad thing is the cost to rebuild, find missing parts, get the drivetrain working... If this was stored in a shed it would at least be salvageable. Good luck to whoever buys this beast.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Especially a Jetstar, those are hard to find parts for, period.

[@rongreen8485]

@@AutoArchaeology 4 years to find missing chrome, lights, bumper, hub caps, etc. If you need Olds parts I know where to get them. Thanks for the response.

[@markurbancowboy]

The restoration cost for this car will be phenomenal. I'm thinking it will cost more than what it's worth being an LS5.

[@scottmorian9630]

I was born in 78 crazy that cars been sitting 44yrs.

[@orlandrioussullivan9139]

The owner should be ashamed of himself, what a nice car it could have been. He could have sold it or stored it inside. That my favorite muscle car. That shit made me sad, I still want one till this day, but right now I can't afford one at this moment. If that was mines, I would have taken great care of that car.

[@francisbizon8414]

This makes me want to cry.

[@ianoneillpsychotherapy162]

I haven't checked all the comments, but somebody HAS to restore this car.

[@bobsilver3983]

my thoughts exactly!

[@db9904]

Craigslist be like: RAN WHEN PARKED

[@silverback4616]

Awesome

[@tenthousanddays2103]

🤣🤣Exactly.

[@garyblanchard1084]

Or the time honored EASILY RESTORED

[@johnkramer7161]

As an owner of a '72 SS and a '70 Malibu this makes me want to cry.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Nice cars!

[@johnkramer7161]

@@AutoArchaeology Thank You.

[@powershift5439]

The owner of this car is one of those guys you go to ask about his car, then two hours later you regret asking cause he won't stfu.

[@Vaultovinyl]

The owner is obviously one of those windbags that we've all run across. They've refused to sell it because they want people to ask about it. They want to tell this huge "story" they've come up with to justify why they let it rot into the ground instead of just admitting they're an idiot that should have either done something with it decades ago or sold it to someone who would have. It's a very common tale and often a very tall one.

[@powershift5439]

I'm in full agreement. I wish I was a dick enough that when I find myself in these situations.. to just walk away... But I always ended up just standing there. Smiling. Letting them tell their tail.. hating myself the entire time.

[@johnd.1849]

@@powershift5439: Been there man, been there. Owner reliving past “glories”.😐

[@bobsilver3983]

I literally get F-ing pissed off seeing cars like this wasting away...this car should NEVER have been neglected like this!

[@mobigsly9595]

A wash and buff and that cream puff is a trophy winning show car.

[@TheLikkinBranch]

I had a 66 ss 4spd from high school until my wife wanted a new house. The woman is gone, but i sure wish I had my SS 396 4spd back.

[@electrix6751]

Way too many guys have made the mistake you did. You should have told her to get a full-time job if she wanted a new home. The car stays!

[@richardchristianson2823]

There are people who appreciate cars, and people who don't. This is a case of someone who doesn't. What's weird is people who don't appreciate cars, not wanting to sell them to those who do.

[@jeffpriem4888]

Thankfully the owner recycles This is a great story. Thank you Ryan for the time you have invested in this.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks for following!

[@diegosilang4823]

As long the vin is intact and matching, it is worth saving. In Canada, a rust bucket rolling body already cost 10K!

[@conqueringlion420]

I knew it had to be one of our US Vets car during war times, a brother a friend Thank you for your service sir, watching from Navy Seal combat base Coronado CA ✊🇺🇸🗡

[@carsandtoons9939]

It's very sad to see muscle cars destroyed like that. Hopefully someday in the future someone can fix it up and make it road worthy again. literally that Chevelle is worth restoring.

[@AutoArchaeology]

It is thankfully put away in a nice dry space currently.

[@johnmacdonald5483]

​@@AutoArchaeologyThat's great news. That car is well worth restoring ,lots of work but, WoW ,when your done😊😊😊😊

[@erictate8986]

Somebody needs to pick this Car up immediately and restore it !!!!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Since the video it has been moved someplace safer.

[@paulfisher6142]

@@AutoArchaeology . ... . . . . I GIVE UP ! !! !!!

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Like most of these old dudes his 5 page letter was filled with fantastical liberties with the truth about his recollections. 7000 rpm's in 1st gear @62 MPH right out of the dealer? Most of those cars had 4:10 gears, or 3:73. No way. 13:1 compression, hearing a set of Continental glasspacks 5 miles away, 2.75 inch exhaust pipes which would have to be custom made for a production line car. And the ever elusive '70's production tires made only 3/4 of an ounce out of balance. There was more. I heard these BS stories so many times. Bench racing. Sure treated the car like shit if he cared about it so much. Time has apparently softened the edges of and sweetened his recollections. Parked since '78? Rode hard and put away wet.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@chrissytaylor5690 So true! I got a kick out of the 'clutch' part of the story. The guy says he had to move it now. Why? The wheels were half buried in dirt and the frame was probably on the ground. The thing used for target practice for over 40 years and NOW they have to move it? Supposedly the guy deliberately felled a tree on it. Guess he sees 'gold' now.

[@Agent627]

I felt the same exact way as y’all. I could feel the level of stupid coming right through. The basic grammar mistakes alone made it apparent we weren’t dealing with the brightest bulb in the drawer. Bad grammar is usually my first clue to someone’s intelligence and mental maturity level. This car reminds me of those idiots that let a 66’ Shelby GT350H rot outside in the elements for decades stuck to the ground and absolutely screwed. Jerry Heasley did the video on that one. It’s worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. It’s honestly a bit hard to watch.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I'll bet the guy somehow accidentally pulled into the Daytona 500 and won the race with an average speed of 250mph. I don't know why some people make this crap up. Maybe their life just sucked so bad, his legacy will be these nonsense stories.

[@Vaultovinyl]

I wish I could "like" every single one of these comments 1000 times. I've met more than my share of these kind of guys. They've spent more time making up stories about the car than they ever spent actually driving it. They keep these cars and let them rot, so they can brag and lie about them to anybody that makes the mistake of asking about the car. I know a guy that swears he turned a 327 10,000rpm's for ten miles. He didn't have a tachometer (they didn't make a 10,000rpm tach back then), he just knows he did it because he "knows" what 10,000rpm's sounds like. Yeah, right! LOL!

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@Vaultovinyl That's funny! I remember back in like 1982 this old guy was telling me and my friend about some guy in town that had a Tucker and everytime he drove through town it was shooting flames out the exhaust pipes!

[@davestewart2067]

Quite a yarn. The mention of the insurance rates on these type of cars then, showed why very few could afford to buy or drive them. Three water pumps?!? What the heck? That’s one of the easiest repairs back then!

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

Interesting to know the situation that led to this car being left outside.

[@acdc5579]

Car can be restored with enough money and the right person doing the restoration. Sad condition for such a desirable collector's car.

[@21xenomorph]

Can be,but it would cost well over 100,000 dollars.only a millionaire with an interest in those cars would even consider it.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Yup it could be restored.

[@adamhoffman3687]

How could someone just let it rot away. Mind boggling

[@brianfleisch9210]

I have a neighbor where I live in Ohio with a hardtop in the exact color scheme as this one with a black vinyl top. It's a real 396 SS 4-speed car. I tried to buy it from him back in 1984 for 10k. Told me even concidering that was a very steep offer and fair offer. It has been sitting in his mother's garage since 1973. He took the engine out and put it into a 55 gallon drum of oil. I have since gone by the house recently as I no longer live next to him, as I moved in 1990. The car was still is sitting in the garage with garage door up. He gave me the same typical response saying he's just going to hang onto it! The car hasn't moved from the garage since 1973 and he refuses to sell it!. I know he's getting up in age now as he was around 30-35 years old back in 1984. Has to be around 70 now and yet the car still sits. It's a totally unmolested car with original paint- definitely a survivor car. At least this car is in the garage but what a waste if you just let it sit there. I know it's his car but do ya really think it's ever going to get done?

[@vincemajestyk9497]

That was a REALLY strong price in '84. More than double what it was worth. Probably a 3 or 4 thousand dollar car. Especially being a 396 and not 454. A 'real' 396 back then wasn't all that special. Surprised he didn't take it. I'm sure it's pretty rough from sitting since '73. Makes you wonder why somebody would take the engine out of a 3 year old car and pickle it in a drum of oil. Not doing much for the engine. Was he expecting a flood or something?

[@brianfleisch9210]

@@vincemajestyk9497 I have seen the car this past summer and the body still looks fantastic. All original paint and it really looks like it was parked yesterday. Th only thing that looks out of place is he has the hood leaning up against the wall and the 55 gallon drum is sitting in the same spot when I saw it back in the 80's. I know his mother still lives there she's in her upper 80's now and it make me wonder what happens when she passes away will he keep the house and just keep storing it there. The funny thing is it still has 1973 Ohio license plates still on the car. Like I said the car overall looks very nice, but I didn't get to look under the car to see how much rust could have started to show up. When I went by the house to visit my old neighbor his sister was outside and she let me just look at it. When I asked her what her brother was doing with the car she said she doesn't have a clue and I told her it's such a shame that he would not get it back running and just let the car sit like that. Back in the early 80's I thought he was going to get it running as he had rolled it out once in the driveway and a lot of my friends stopped by when he was working on it but even then it didn't have the engine in it. I think he pulled it out more to just view it and even then a couple of my friends tried to make him an offer and he just passed. I don't get how anyone just let's a car sit and waste away like this. I even know of a guy right now who has a 69 camaro that has been sitting off to the side in his driveway for about 20 years and it's just sitting in the elements rotting away. It gets alot of visibility because just after the house is the ramp to get onto the freeway so I'm certain people have seen it and tried to make an offer. Thr last time I saw it was all rusted with thr paint blistering on it. I'll bet the owner just passes on offers as it just sits like a rusted lawn ornament.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@brianfleisch9210 Unless it's a dirt floor garage, it's probably OK underneath. Most of those old garages have enough airflow through them to dry out. Sounds like it's a nice one for sure. You deserve to get first crack at it for being so persistent. I have a feeling that something will probably be done with it once the mother passes just because nobody will be living at the house, unless the sister is still there, and I'm sure a lot of people besides you know it's there. I would make sure you keep in touch with the guy so he knows you're interested. This car sounds like the guy DOES actually care about it unlike the turd in this video that's a 'field car'. That's so cool that it has the '73 plate still on it. Maybe he parked it due to the gas crisis. Did he ever say why he pulled the engine? I live in Oho too and have seen cars like this around. You'll probably be paying more than 10k now if he lets it go. I think at this point he's probably not going to be getting it back together if he didn't do it when he was younger. He probably has an attachment to it but isn't motivated enough to get it together again. I don't think it's about the money if he turned down your offer in '84. I hope YOU can score it and not these greedy opportunists.

[@brianfleisch9210]

@@vincemajestyk9497 trust me I have watched the activity at this house for many years. In fact his sister baby sitted me and my brothers so I have a little connection to the family after all they lived right next to me growing up. For me right now I have the space to store it in a heated storage condo to be able to land it should he decide to sell it. Right now I have two GTO's a 1966 and 1967 convertibles which are truly museum cars. They were both frame off restorations and right now are both being finished up to compete at the GTOAA nationals. Both cars are numbers matching and I have spend thousands of dollars hunting down NOS parts so if I were to land this Chevelle I would most likely do the same to restore them to concourse quality. This Chevelle sitting in that yard I would have loved to restore but most likely the frame is rotted away sitting in that yard all those years and it could of been a great car to redo but the costs associated with a concourse restoration would be about what that car would be worth when done. I'll comment back if I ever land this Chevelle. His sister has told him that I would like to buy it should he decide to sell it.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@brianfleisch9210 Many of the NOS parts have long ago dried up, certainly the ones needed to do a quality resto on a car like the one in this vid. I doubt your neighbor's car would need all that much and would probably be better cleaned up and left as original as possible. The costs of a proper quality resto go up exponentially when the car is decayed so bad. I would say always start with the best condition car you can afford. It will pay off in the end.

[@rogerchevelle8543]

Amazing story. Just can't imagine giving up on it like that.

[@brainsmith9827]

Yea , everyone knows the dream and time management story. Every old car I bought had the same story if I only had more time !

[@DanielLopez-me9mh]

This chevy must be saved

[@matscheel3080]

that 70 chev 454 ragtop must be restored and put in a museum

[@raykasza6855]

Listening to the story on this muscle car has turned my stomach. I owned one and it was an LS6 fathom blue. I sold it in 1983 and found it 6 months ago. I'm slowly trying to get it back.

[@fredwalker3374]

This comes from people watching car auctions and they have a car just like it! Right sure you do

[@Mr-er6fg]

Where is a PROSECUTOR when you need one????

[@jeffreyguilbert808]

Does it have paperwork? You can buy everything to rebuild it And use the numbers off this one . Definitely would put it in my shop And start gathering the new parts For the build That's if all the numbers are there .

[@tenthousanddays2103]

I swear, I get into this same conversation with some guy at every car show or swap meet I go to.

[@daniellebcooper7160]

Wow !! ...'Never a dull moment' That car has led a full life. Thank you for sharing.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Danielle B Cooper, parked in 1978. THUS, not a full life. Total neglect and stupid to do that to a rare car.

[@garrywright1801]

I can't believe he couldn't find a place to keep it out of the weather. What a shame!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thankfully since I shot this, it has been moved to a safer location!

[@garrywright1801]

@@AutoArchaeology after it set out and ruined! I can't believe he didn't care enough to store it properly.

[@user-vv8fq7qo4z]

I see a lot of work but I would definitely do it just to give it a second chance to shine in it's glory on the road one more time

[@vincemajestyk9497]

A lot of work? That's an understatement! It's GONE! The best chance it had was as what it was. 'Yard Art' in 2022. Any insurance estimator or appraiser will tell you there is one place on a car if it gets hit will ABSOLUTELY total it out as unrepairable. The front door post/cowl area. Take a look at that one. Even Chinesium repair panels ain't gonna help it. Like Hall & Oates sang "She's GOOOOOONE and I better learn how to face it!"

[@georgepaust8416]

The lS 5 engine had a hydraulic cam which would support all power accessories. The LS6 had a radical solid lifter cam which would not support air conditioning. Not enough vacuum. It's always a shame when you find one being devoured by the ground.

[@johnromano9616]

Makes me wanna cry!

[@rubyred93chev]

It can, and will be saved. Granted the car is full of rust, but the car is valuable. Keep us posted on the car.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Oh absolutely it is worth saving.

[@colescrustycars]

I wouldnt of tried moving that car without welding some braces in it. I'd love to have that car. I thought some of my old chevelles and novas were bad haha. This takes the cake. I'm working on a deal for a 69 SS camaro. I'm 37 now, and I've been trying to buy the car since I was 15. Sadly the owner passed recently and the son told me he wants to sell it to me. It's been peaking out of a barn for over 40 years. It was nice when I first started asking. It's super rough now but I dont care. Been chasing the car more then half my life lol.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Good luck with the 69 SS Camaro! This one has moved since the video was shot. It's in a safer place now.

[@CJColvin]

Hopefully somebody is going to restore it.

[@pickledbabies]

Definately didn't deserve this type of neglect.....

[@beercanburr4058]

Reminds me of a 64 1/2 mustang convertible sitting behind a shed on the Rez. It had a 200 sprint engine and rally pac gauges with a bale of hay sitting in the backseat. Guy wouldn’t sell.

[@Fony_turgeson]

i know its terrible but just like people of today will not realize how special something is until its decayed for 40 years you know the saying if you only knew what u knew now back then

[@keithmcconnel3172]

In this case here. Dude is just a certifiable IDIOT. Lets call that song exactly what it is. There is absolutely zero chance that he didn't know that car is special, no way possible. a '70 drop top big block AND a 4spd, NO WAY he missed that.., he was and continues to be an idiot, has gotten very good at lying to himself. "oh someday I will restore it" ... news flash ding bot "someday" is never gonna come... you blew it, in grand style.. Perhaps while we await "someday" we could bring back public flogging.. some peoples kids

[@bbb462cid]

Very desireable but the LS5 being the Holy Grail? No. Thats the LS6's territory.

[@AutoArchaeology]

But this is far more rare than an LS6.

[@bbb462cid]

@@AutoArchaeology we should never confuse "rare" with "most desirable"

[@electrix6751]

@@AutoArchaeology It might be more rare but certainly NOT more valuable.

[@johnd.1849]

I don’t know whether to scream or cry. I’m not even a Chevy guy…and this is just so wrong. First, let me say I’m all for capitalism, private property ownership, the whole 9 yards. The owner is free to do whatever he wants with the vehicle. But just like you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t at least) buy a Van Gogh painting and put it in a moldy, rodent infested basement for storage, why…WHY would you let this sit out in the open for almost 50 years. A convertible no less. You don’t have an old shed or even a lean-to you could drag it into?! A $99 breathable car cover to put over the top. Top end parts, 12 COATS of lacquer paint-this guy obviously loved the car at one point. Then…this. I don’t get it…at all. As they said when the Hidenburg crashed-“oh the Humanity”☹️😢😡🤯

[@jenkericj]

I'm a Ford man and I feel the same. Watching this video feel like I just left a funeral. I think I'll change into all black and watch it again.

[@kickit59]

It's really sad when folks let their car sit until it's that bad! Even though I don't drive it anymore my Mustang has always been in the garage and will continue to stay there until I die. I even keep the maintainer on the battery and it can be started at any time if need be.

[@kathylake-debuhr5137]

I remember these cars when they were new, that's when we had awesome cars. Style power and class not like the cookie cutter cars we started seeing in the 80s

[@garyblanchard1084]

One girl on my school bus must have had a father who worked at a Chevrolet dealership since the bus dropped her off there every day of the week. It was unreal viewing all that new and now vintage Bowtie iron out front ranging from Impalas to Novas circa 1970.

[@oyetos]

ALL BECAUSE SOME YAHOO KEPT SAYING "I'M GONNA FIX IT ONE DAY" WELL GUESS WHAT?

[@donaldappelhof2059]

$100,000 later and you would have a nice car!

[@Slowgroovin]

Yes, but the car restored would probably be worth more than double that.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@scoobydoo7443 YES, That's my point. It's not a matter of MONEY! You could have half a million dollars and buy every Chinese reproduction part. All the original NOS parts have dried up a LOOONG time ago. These people just don'tunderstand that. Why not just pay the Chinese to tool up and build a limited run Mao Tse-Tung edition 1970 Chevelle SS's?

[@tbohtwentyone]

I would bring that car back to life and make it my daily driver..

[@SuperSportstudio]

Glad to hear he enjoyed it. Sad what happens to men during, and after war, Thanks for your service for our country. Our Freedom is because of the men that served. Judge not

[@AutoArchaeology]

Indeed!

[@mzaccagnini7179]

That poor car. Such rare car. Just rotting away. That it a crime.

[@richardcrouse9074]

Why people let cars like this rust away is beyond me.

[@holgerwittmann8419]

Wow, this thing looks like right out of a river bed. (Im sorry little Catto, you will get your home back soon) ^^

[@garysgarage.2841]

I'd jump at the chance to buy the engine and trans for my 55 gasser build.

[@crankychris2]

I'll give you $8 for the garbage can, you can keep the rest of it.

[@bigw281]

Poor Car he should have been jailed for Abuse of this car to let it rot like this!!!!

[@ostrich67]

"Ahm'ol fix er up someday. Now GIT!"

[@brianwaskow5910]

This is closer to being on the road than "The VIK".

[@erichite4871]

LS6 cars could not be had with A/C which is why it was knocked down.

[@AutoArchaeology]

You are absolutely correct

[@robertharding4166]

Plenty of good Malibu cars around that could be sacrificed for this gem. Just to have genuine sheet metal on her. There's also enough chevelle core guys that could make it happen.

[@That1CanadianGuy]

That shit has to stop! These people knowing that they have a valuable car that people want to buy. Then it sits there year after year! People want to buy it to fix, but it is always...I'm gonna fix it! Just so greedy letting it sit there until it just falls apart, then goes to the scrap pile and we lose another Muscle car.

[@howellnolte7343]

I had a 1970 Plymouth road runner convertible 383 auto air grabber hood blue/blue-white top ,got it when I was 16 it had just had a cosmetic restoration 61,000 miles I drove it till it had about 125,000 miles and parked it in my mom's front yard and was going to "restore it on day" in 1988 I was looking at it and the top was starting to come apart by the back glass I came to the realization I didn't have the money to restore the car and if I did somehow come up with it I didn't have a place to keep it out of the elements so I decided that the next person to make me a decent offer I was going to sell it I sold it to a Mopar broker F.Mitchell who sold it to a collector in Costa Rica as far as I know it's still in Costa Rica

[@carcraftgarage5430]

Im going to fix it up myself, its not for sale.. 30 years later.. I'm going to fix it myself or I will take 80k for it, I watch barret Jackson, you aren't going to rip me off

[@d-money314]

So true 💯

[@paulacri604]

OMG as much as I love Chevelles, just looking at how bad this car has rotted makes me very ill. Makes me wonder how anyone could let this beautiful piece of machinery just sit and rot ! Terrible !

[@stevefranklin9920]

It can be resurrected and needs to be ! Have you inquired about purchasing this car?

[@daviddaigle2419]

Someone needs to go to jail for letting that happen,

[@bradleyphillips204]

Sounds like that car had a crazy life. Guy has good intentions but with all the insanity that went on when he was young the car was caught up in it. Looks like I seen what might have been a piece of tarp over the top at one point. Worst thing to do as it holds in moisture. Second it was sitting in dirt instead of on concrete or black top so who knows how much of it was eaten out. Went to a mower junkyard before and found this cool 60s lawn boy mower. It was there forever. Deck was sunk into the ground. When I picked it up where it was in the ground had looked totally eaten away. It's never good to park anything in the dirt. It will eventually go back to it. If nothing else get storage or put it in a barn on jack stands

[@rodneychapman1506]

I hope to see the car completely restored one day on the web it deserves it for the sake of automotive history because it’s a one of one car it doesn’t get any rarer than that !!!

[@s3hooligan]

That car deserves a proper rebuild

[@nozzledrich]

I've never heard a more convoluted story.

[@AutoArchaeology]

He legit hand wrote me a multi-page letter. It is something!

[@bzamski17]

That shit will buff out

[@cbell5571]

you would have to have a substantial amount of money to fully restore this car, waaaaayy more than what it could ever be worth. by the way, the bottom of the car is probably rotted way more than the top side, and the frame has probably returned to the earth.

[@rodneychapman1506]

That would be a wise investment sure it would cost a small fortune to restore but that’s a six figure car there it’s a one of one car only !!!

[@guitarhole]

Looks more like the HOLY HELL Chevelle .

[@tonywalker2334]

Wow what a awesome find. And with today knowledge it can be fixed good as new. Something tells me the owner might be tempted to sell it and give it a 2nd chance at life.

[@AutoArchaeology]

They have no desire to sell. But it has moved since filming to a safer location.

[@MichaelBrown1432]

That's wat I am looking to do. This car needs to be fixed and put back on the road and driven.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Safer location. Away from falling trees and stray bullets. 40 years too late.

[@robertunderwood6011]

It can be saved

[@davepoling4769]

That makes me sick.that people would rather let a car rust to the ground.then to let someone have the car and do somthing with it.what is the point.

[@21xenomorph]

Original owner jacked up that car from the get go.if he would have left it alone it wouldn't have gotten trashed as soon.suprized it even lasted 8 yrs on the road.i wonder if the owner even realizes what that car would be worth if it had been reasonably preserved.

[@AutoArchaeology]

It was a race car basically when new. Just like a new Hellcat or Camaro.

[@jamesdee6770]

Are there any plans to restore the car in the future

[@tonym50195]

another “I’ll get to it someday” car

[@cougariog8817]

Very well done!

[@Ballen1182]

I can not BELIEVE they let this happen to it. 😭

[@danasmith1899]

I will say as an owner of these old cars I get tired of idiots who think they can get it for $1,000, that and the people telling me I used to have one of them I wrecked it

[@krystalstarrett6760]

Sure hope one of those restoration shows can save this great car.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Most of them are fake and garbage. Never let them touch your car.

[@krystalstarrett6760]

@@AutoArchaeology ok, thanks for heads up. Still enjoy shows.

[@user-vv8fq7qo4z]

If I could get it I would bring it back to it's glory