I enjoyed seeing what you brought to the table with the last build offer I provided, but let’s be honest: that 1977 Dodge Ramcharger was pretty solid as it was. Just a few details needed some tweaks to make most of you happy, though general consensus was that the steering wheel was the first thing to go flying into the dumpster. Maybe I needed to find a better bit of mechanical fodder for you to work with. So, in lieu of the melting pot that is the Facebook classified pages, I hit up RacingJunk for this next build option, and I think plenty of you will have some ideas.
This one hits close to my heart as well. For those of you who didn’t know me in the Forums or before, I used to own a 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle and even though the car was threatening to break due to major amounts of rot, I loved the thing…mainly, it was a potent high-winding small-block mill, and a visual attitude that was enough to offend Tacoma’s Uptight Citizens’ Brigades that made me love the car. It was raunchy, rowdy, always down for a good time and I adored it. So seeing this beauty with bars inside, no engine in the bay and a lot of fiberglass pieces, I’m drooling. The floor, firewall, and wheel tubs are stock. A 12-bolt has Strange 31-spline axles, 4.10s and adjustable control arms. It’s got a line lock, TRZ front lower control arms, and above all else, it has a title.
Which means it could be put on the street, too. 
If it were me, the 1975-76ish Laguna nose would go away and a 1973 Laguna nose (the flat face, small bumper setup) would take it’s place. The flat hood with no hole in it would be fitted and the doors would be finished out. The missing section of floor from the trunk to under the back seat would be filled in and I’d get to work on a monster of a mill. I’m torn between a small-block or a big-block, but in my head it has to be an older design engine. A 468 big-block would have the grunt, but a 406ci small-block on some spray wouldn’t be bad either.
How would you bring this Chevelle back to life?
That car could really pull off a ’70’s Winston Cup look! A loud, quick revving small block with a 5 or 6 speed manual would fit the vibe.
paint it red & gold slap the number #12 and coca cola on it
6.0 5 speed …. done !!!!
see comment #1 and #2 for correct method
( do not forget the big popcap side fuel filler and sheet metal cowl induction lump )
Build a low-buck drag car:
1) Find a 454 BBC out of an old motorhome.
2) Scour websites like Craigslist, Racingjunk, Yellowbullet, etc. for used hardware for pennies on the dollar.
3) Make it safe.
4) Drive it like a rental car. 🙂
Nasty, high compression, high strung small block , 6 speed, deep gear and spray. . Hawaiian Tropic livery and a “CNONBLL” vanity plate. I’m a Ford guy but I’d drive that setup.
Big cars require big engines. A 540 cubic inch big block Chevy should do the job nicely.
All depends on the budget, but a mid eighties 454-TH 400 from a rotten RV would be quick and easy. Need more, add some spray. Daily driver-weekend racer. I could see a simple BC/CC paint(paintforcars.com). Solid color black, Murderelle!
Dump that ugly POS into a crusher.
Keep it to the original ci (probably) 350 in it, just because no one seems to build just 350’s anymore, especially at the track. But keep nothing stock about it, a full Dart Little M or Iron Eagle block and monster 12.5° 296cc Dart race heads with appropriate internals, then stick two turbos in the trunk. Then show off your 350 fender badges as you smile sitting in the staging lanes knowing you’ll be running deep into the 8’s. Maybe throw a coat of paint on it cause, yeah, that’s just too damn ugly to leave as is, even as a joke.
Being that I work for BluePrint Engines building engines all day, my answer is a bit prejudiced. I would shove one of our Pro Series big blocks in it. Either our 632 making 815 hp, or more likely, our Power Adder 540 with an 8-71 blower with the boost turned way up.
If anyone wants it feel free to call me 321-266- one 9 six eight