The Story Behind The Rare 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Wagon And Its Massive 7.4-Liter V8
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- Опубликовано: 12 янв 2024
- Fans of the classic American muscle car will likely know about the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, one of the most recognizable and potent versions of the Chevelle. As such, it has become one of the most collectible in the classic car market. But as Autopia recently discussed, there is a Chevrolet Chevelle from 1973 that you may not have heard about. This is the rather outrageous 1973 Chevelle Malibu SS Wagon, a single-year model that became a potent muscle grocery getter.
Chevrolet made just a handful of these remarkable machines, and as such they are one of the rarest forms of Chevelle with less than 75 produced. All of them came with a big 454 ci V8 under the hood, and it was the first and last time that Chevrolet gave the Chevelle wagon the fabled Super Sport badge. The wagon came at the time of rising gas prices, which played a part in only 74 of them ever produced. But it’s a car that should be more regularly talked about, to remind everyone of just how wild it was.
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I worked in a junk yard in the late 70's and we got one on the 454 wagons in without any drivetrain. If I had known how rare it was I would have saved it but I wasn't into wagons then.
I don't know what it is about this design for the Chevelle, but in my opinion it's a very good looking vehicle.
it is and so is the Nova
I thought it was a great car for some reason too when I was 15 or 16. I actually had a choice between a '74 2 door, 350 2bbl, column shifted 3 speed manual or a '66 289 automatic Mustang.
Now at 54 though, I repeatedly kick myself for NOT picking the MUSTANG!!!🫢😩😫🥺😥😢😭😭😭🥹😞😣😖😠😡🤬
A neighbor owned a mid-70's Chevelle SS coupe in black with red accent stripes and I thought it was 'the car', I got a Mustang as my first car at 16 and consider myself really lucky@@rustymohr6652 Previously owned but
still lucky.
A good friend of mine who was a carpet salesman during his night school college degree daze, who was fairly successful between that legal workload and studies, he still found time for another successful not so legal business endeavor. Had found the need for a roomy, indiscreet form of transportation for all his carpet samples and other plants. He hated vans and trucks, so he got a great deal on a strange Chevy Malibu Wagon, that has an SS package with nice wheels in dark green in and out. Plus a 454! He brought it into his buddy’s body shop to remove everything SS, except for the nice wheels, although he had a second set for the winter, plus carrying 800 lbs of carpet samples helped in the snow, especially with the huge snow tires he had. Along with the 3:42 Posi rear. He went so far as to have vinyl wood graining added. With resonators added to quiet it down. I wanted that wagon so bad, but he ran it into the ground in 8 years and 145,000 miles in salty Rhode Island. That took a toll on not only the drivetrain hauling all that weight that he went through three pairs of air shocks. But it was the rust in the rear floors and quarters, especially with the leaks around the rear windows. He did get a good deal as no body wanted a wagon that got 12-15 mpg. But that’s what he would have gotten with a 250 or 350, hauling all that weight!
Had a '73 Chevelle wagon in high school 350 V8, very solid car, handled very well!
Back in the early 70’s, my old man bought a used 1970 Plymouth Sport Suburban, what a beast. Roof rack, vinyl “wood” sides, 2 way opening rear door ( up & down as per station wagons, but also opened as a reg door, opening left to right), rear facing 3rd bench seat, and a big emblem on the huge hood that warned other cars that it had a “ 383 MAGNUM” for propulsion. Fast car, that I remember, being about 14-15 years old at the time , 50 years ago.
Back in the early '80s I had a 73 Chevy Laguna woodgrain wagon. It didn't say Chevelle or Malibu anywhere on it. It had a polyurethane front end. It had a basic 2 barrel 350 with a TH350 trans. Wish I still had it. I love woodgrain wagons, and now, at least in my state, something that old can be insured and registered as a collector car, which exempts it from emissions tests. So you can put whatever you want under the hood. I would rather have a hot rodded small block. It would make a lot more power than a stock 1973 454, and be a lot lighter. Still carbureted though, no LS.
My grandparents bought a new 75 Malibu four door with a 350 2 barrel. I recall it actualy drove and handled pretty decent - the power steering wasn’t as numb as the Fords I was used to driving at the time. I do recall that as these cars started to age, the hood hinges would get stiff making closing the hood really difficult. I recall seeing the occasional Malibu of that era on the road with a hood bent down from the middle from someone getting frustrated and putting too much downward pressure.
My grandfather had one of these and would hose the interior out (literally) after his dog tracked in mud. I still remember the 3 inches of water in the rear floorboards. Funny memories
I didn’t know there was a Chevelle wagon, it is a gorgeous wagon!!!
I am surprised the SS wagon didn’t have bucket seats and a console.
Maybe a few were optioned with them .
Not all Super Sports had bucket seats and a center consol.
My brother had a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport 396 with a front bench seat and column shift, from the factory.
A set of swivel buckets from the 73 Monte Carlo would have worked nicely.
@@edmessina8392
From 1973 to 1977, Monte Carlo, Chevelle, and El Camino could be had with swivel seats.
The Monte Carlo was actually based on the Chevelle platform.
They never put buckets and console in a 4 door back then. Would be pretty cool, though.
@@stevefick3919 Pontiac did in the 73-75 Grand Am.
Much of the loss in hp was caused as much by detuning, but by the SAE revising the rating from gross to net. Huge drops. Figure the 1971 Ford 302, 2bbl carb, had 210 hp. In 1972, the same engine had 139hp! This is the only engine I can think of off the top of my head that was already detuned...
The compression ratios dropping for unleaded gas consumption in the early 1970's was a real power killer.
i recall as a kid in the 80s opening hoods at the local gas station and seeing big blocks in impalas etc but some were 2 bbl and i think rated for towing torque of the need for boats and trailers etc
This is so strange, I’m a Chevy muscle car enthusiast. I never heard of this car! 😮
I dated a girl in the early 80's that had one she got from her parents I nickname it The Grocery Hauler from Hell. It would pass anything but a Exxon station and it liked to visit those regularly.
That black laguna was gorgeous.
I remember a friend of mine telling me be careful about picking on station wagons because some came with big blocks.
Not all wagons had 454s. See the 1:43 mark. Gas prices weren't bad in '73 until the oil embargo hit in October, after the '73s were out of production. It was Insurance Surcharges that almost did-in certain black-listed cars, like a Chevelle SS with a Y in the 5th character of the v.i.n. Insurance charges lead to the Chevelle SS beginning in 1971 offering the 350 2-barrel as base, and up from there. No, it was the fuel crisis that made cars like a '74 Buick with a Stage 1 455 un-sellable and soon cancelled. 1975 followed suite, killing the 454 Corvette, the 455 Trans Am (a brief reprieve for a time), the Road Runner 440 & Charger (which became Monte Carlo class), plus any AMC passenger car with a 401.
The original musclecar was killed in the crossfire between insurance, smog, gas prices and Corporate Average Fuel Economy, as well as noise standards. 4x4s & vans took over for a time, as the factories were devoting some development to them and making good products. Draconian car standards were not yet inflicted on trucks, thus making them popular. Some Jeeps retained the 401 option through '78, after which time extending CAFE to include light trucks killed it, along with 454 1/2 ton GMs & 460 1/2 ton Fords. Dodge scrapped the 400 & 440 tooling. The appearance of the '90 Chevy 454SS pickup was a surprise in light of things.
1973 was a first and last in a number of Chevelle offerings. The only year for a Laguna wagon, the only year for a Malibu wagon with the SS option. The only year wagon of that generation with the six cylinder or 307 (307 wagons were 3 speed manual only). The only year for the "Deluxe" series with rubber floor covering. The only year you couldn't get 15" wheels & radial tires in that generation, and as such the SS wagon was the only Chevelle wagon that year with the rear stabilizer bar.
Four speeds, offered on Chevelle V8 wagons since 1964, vanished after 1972.
Strangely, no bucket seats for the SS wagons, but swivel buckets were available for all Chevelle wagons 74-75, and Malibu Classic only in '76. Swivel buckets cancelled for '77 wagons.
Around the 1:28 mark it is said the LS6 went from 450 h.p. in '70 to 245 in '71. A basic misunderstanding between gross & net retains persists more than 50 years after the switch. The LS6 in 1971 Corvettes were 425 gross, 325 net. The LS5 Chevelles were 365 gross, 285 net in '71, 270 net in '72 (who was fibbing, 71 or 72), then LS4 Chevelles were 245 net in '73, 235 net in '74, and 215 net in '75 with catalytic converters. Only the big car line had 454s for '76, and they recovered to 225 net with duals splitting from the single cat.
"Chevy sold 1,500 Malibu SS wagons, of which just 71 had the 454 V8 under the hood." - 2:31 mark. Around 3 "the exact # has never been confirmed, but Autopia says the 71 figure is what most enthusiasts settle upon."
Power front disk brakes were standard on all V8 Chevelle wagons except the Nomad starting 1970, and were standard on all wagons starting 1973. Power steering was not standard until 1975 on V8 Chevelles, though it was mandatory on 454 cars starting '73. Manual steering had been revised to almost 7 turns lock-to-lock, so you don't want it. The LS4 was available for any Chevelle 1973/74, then again in '75 except California or Laguna Type S-3 curiously.
Thanks for the interesting history lesson!!
Glad you enjoyed it
@@American.legends If it’s about Chevelles or any BowTie classic of 70s and back I definitely always enjoy them!!
I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS AN SS WAGON. OMG. HOW COULD I MISS IT ! 😂. 😊
Thank you for your comment! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the video and that it helped you discover the SS Wagon. Your support means the world to me!
In '73 we got two of the Malibu SS wagons. Remember them as 350s, one was Chamois, silver stripe, and tan interior. No.2 was medium green with silver stripe & tan interior. Both were console with swivel buckets and ordered from GMOSD. I've forgotten the acronym for the overseas office orders from military, but our dealership received those vehicles. Correct me for the acronym. Thought we got one in '74, based on your presentation, it had to have been a S3. Thanks for the numbers. Prefer mine in LeMans livery.
I use to wonder why these Waggons went so Fast 😄
My first car was a 1972 Chevelle wagon called Conquorse my parents bought new. I hated it at the time but would love to uave it back now
The coolest wagon I saw was a 69 or 70 Pontiac LeMans……. Stick shift 400 with 373 12bolt. Bone stock with drag radials it ran 14.09
Mr. B. Here ! Am a Olds guys but the Colonnades of 1973 to 1977 all the platform is a great platform to build, most of these vehicles the Lbs were were about 3600 . Sheet metal was less than the 68 to 72 , Wt to power ! I have had many vehicles Hemi & 455 , & last a 400 small block . At 71 must be smart how I build my power plate . ( less is more )
Glad to see these getting recognized. I'd rather have this than a 70!
"Four Hundred and Fifty-Four." Uggghhhhh.
The first gen Chevelle (66) is the real head-turner for mine but doesn't everyone need 7.5 litres of V8 to run down to the mall and pick up some groceries ;)
72 was the last good year for muscle cars!!!
Some Chrysler products were still alright through 73, but then that's it. Unless you have a thing for a Cordobacharger??? 😂😂😂
Impressive
Ski Trip!😎
Station wagons can be sexy fast cars, especially from the 50s and 60s
I sold a 1972 Olds Vista Cruiser wagon to a neighbor that restored it into a 442 wagon clone. Dark green metallic paint (to match the green interior) with gold stripes on the hood and around the wheel wells.
those were cool sleds did it have that tinted glass wrap around the roof rack ? and duel exhaust of course?
I would happily take money from my retirement fund for that car...
Not a very attractive ride, but certainly unique. I don't suppose having one would be a bad thing, given their value. Shame about the "power-down" treatment that took all the horsepower down.
4:06 allways liked the laguna wagon has a 454 turbo jet engine
It's true. Some moms in the 70's were stop light queens. She'd look at you in your crappy Duster and yell," that can't be your car, that must be your mommas car". Then smoke you to the next stop light.
😂😂 i can imagine that
I have seen one
Come on kids let's go to the store. Yeah!
lucky kids 😂❤️
Lmao@"four hundred and fifty-four"😂
I saw an El Camino that was similar.
My neighbor I had one of these they owned Chevy dealership and had access to rare stuff. He drove his kids to school in it well into the 80s. It was maroon with white just like the one in this video. Not sure if it had the 454.
If I hear Four Hundred Fifty Four one more time I’m gonna go Mental!!!!
Who reads this stuff?
Old boy i knew had a 70 in his shed it had the ls6 and was mint condition
The one in 3:59 were i like the most .
Like the content, hate the robotic narration. It is not 4-5-4, it is always 4-54.
They should have made it a 2 door like the Nomad.
Chevrolet made two door full size Chevelle Malibu wagons in '64 and '65 and I think they made a two door in 68 as well.
so how many of the two door ss were made that year?
You could swap in any 454 crate motor into this "grocery getter".
Marge Simpson's station wagon is inspired by the Chevelle and maybe Homer's car is a 69 Dodge Valiant
Neighbors had a tan one, but not sure if it was the SS. They traded it for a brand new dark green 1977 Mercedes W123. Green as in the envy of the neighborhood 😂, then for the Mom's Birthday she got a 1981 or 82 W123 TD Wagon (new). A neighborhood with appx 1600 sq ft homes.
Some of those pictured have 454 big blocks but are not SS. You could order those since '66 at least with 396 or 427
Watch the background noise. You should pull that out of the audio using something like RX10.
The only thing I don't like about Colonnade wagons is their liftgate windows not being able to open or roll down.
Not sure if the AI reader is getting better or if the guy reading the script does not know about cars
Never,,,have I saw this car,,,had the Oldsmobile version, yellow,,400 ci.,,looked close to this,,,same build body...rear end,,bumpers.
Listening to the commentary, obvious why there's few subs. By the way, that was a 8 mpg vehicle on a good day, and it was not fast. The EPA forced transition is why the malaise era got it's name, a sad time.
I purchased new a 1976 Chevelle 3 seat wagon. Ordered it from the factory from a local dealer in Jacksonville Florida. The build was pitiful. A close examination of the door, hood, tailgate fit as well as the grille alignment would embarrass any factory. The Russian Yugo comes to mind. To have put a 454 engine with the power it could put through the frame under the hood would have physically made all the pieces fall off at WOT for a mile on the interstate. I swore off Chevrolets until 2002 after that and only purchased than because I wanted the C5 Corvette. Either all the folks at GM had retired or died by ‘02 as the build quality had made a remarkable turnaround. Oh, I don’t remember what V8 engine was in my Chevelle but I never had a minute of trouble out of it.
I clicked to reassure myself that the Turing test has not yet been met.
It has not. These channel factories are crap.
We're any of these built with a 4 speed? I believe the 2 door and 4 door were offered with a manual.
I seen one for sale years ago in Iowa.seller had orig window sticker for it.1973 chevelle SS wagon 454 4spd.
Was it 75, 74 or 71 actually produced????
Does anyone know how many of these 454 SS wagons are still in existance?
Probably a dozen if we are lucky.
@@MintyFreshTurds You are probably correct. Thanks.
245 hp in a 454? 375 # torque? My turbo 4cylinder in my 2023 Colorado ZR2 has 310hp 430# torque! 🤯
Cool video I’ve got a 73-ss coupe smb at - 200 plus or minus had big block 4spd 342-373 posi , few had aluminum dash inserts, nascar style. Any 73-77 chevelle’s are good for street sleeper. Has been titled lost chevelle’s.
that's awesome 🔥, thanks for your support
LONG ROOFS RULE!
Text to voice software? Lorne.
The ss wagon had 350s to
Fuel consumption and probably insurance also killed the Ford Total Performance Program. But look how fast vehicles go today? They should have just made auto manufacturers try to make more fuel efficient vehicles & leave performance alone.
no buckets with console?
Who calls it a 7.4L in 1973??..?
It looks ridiculous with White Letter Tires. Crazy that it exists. The person who originally owned this wagon was doing burnouts with 7 kids in the car.
Totally wrong about thev '71 LS-6 454, in the Corvette, it still made 425 HP and 475 Lb Ft of torque, still a decent engine
ChatGPT video?
They did not all come with 454 I have saw them with 350s in them
The narration is a bit, uh, formal.
The hatch looks like they lifted it from a Pinto
🏆🍀💰👀
the whole planet was "faking" a muscle car/wagon !! ... SHOW ME THE DOCUMENTATION !!
God. Why can’t anyone read their scripts themselves?
Awesome rarity, but no one refers to the 454 as a 7.4 liter if they have a drop of testosterone in their body. Its a 454.
lead sled. There weren't any decent brakes or tires for those wagons. Damned unsafe, especially with the big block engines. All the weight was distributed over the front wheels. You could get a small block 350 that made a lot of power without all that mass over the front axle.
454 with A/C no less…
454 Cubic Inch, not 7.4 litter.
The four hundred and fifty four. 😆
TBH I thought they looked good
The AI narration is funny.
Good video but is the narration AI? It’s awful.
The 4 dr GM intermediates and wagons weren't the best looking cars back then. Most of them were used, abused, derbied and scrapped.
Had a 350 powered '73 SS wagon back in the 80s. 350 was a total dog even with factory 4bbl. and duals. Definitely not a musclecar. Handled good though! Bench seat W/ factory SS gauge cluster - kinda cool. I remember those turbine wheels, with age they became hard as a rock and the hub caps wouldn't stay on! Kind of a joke to have those SS emblems on such an ugly wagon with no performance. 454 version would have been no power house either. Too bad Chevy didn't offer an SS wagon in golden years 64-72. THAT would have been something to talk about!
73 was literally the worst year for most GM engines. Thanks Federal Government 🖕
European vacation😂😂😂
2dr,like the nomad would be badass,,,,2 back doors gotta go
Definitely! It would've been easy too, since the stamps would've been so similar to the El Camino.
War Wagon
Enough with the AI narrators already. "...a four hundred fifty- four CIV8 engine." Nobody spells out 350, 454, 289 etc, when describing motor sizes.
It is NOT a 'four hundred and fifty four'. Nobody in the history of Chevy has called it that. Are you that dense?
I have been around awhile, I have never heard it called a four hundred and fifty four, may be they should have made a hurst out of it, as far as I am concerned GM killed the Chevelle in 73, they should have out of respect just stop making it.
These AI narration videos just can't get the pronunciations right.
Duh, there's nothing special about a station wagon especially one with a 454 gas guslar. Hence Chevrolet stop making them after one year, no sales.
SS four hundred and fifty four just doesn’t have a good “ring” to it, how about not be so lazy and type four fifty four in your text to speech software? Also, it’s CID as in Cubic Inch Displacement, not CIV. Just a couple minutes in and the video is annoying. 👎
narrator is ignorant to this topic!!
Chevy "four hundred and fifty four"? I hate AI-scripted RUclips posts.
Whoever was on the design team back then was nearly brain dead their designs were just UGLY with a huge capital UGLY....
these arent rare