The plan for my 71 malibu BobKnake Havana, IL

[BobKnake]

Last year, I bought one of the last cars on my bucket list... Always have wanted a 70-72 Chevelle. Kind of hard for me to actually buy one, because I grew up in a FORD family. But I found a 71 Malibu 350/350 AC/PS/PB
It's pretty solid, especially for mid western car (IL)... only rust I've found is over rear wheels... It's about as boring at it comes... Sandlewood in and out with a horrible respray of red....
It came with no front clip, motor or tranny, and an incomplete interior (bench), as well as 99% disassembled.


So that being said...
Here is MY PLAN...
396/402 (which I already have - 1968)
4 speed (which I already have - 1968)
12 BOLT (came with car)
Cowl Induction Hood (came with car)

I want to make it my own car. I really have NO intention of making an SS clone, but a lot of the things I want - direct the car to just that.
I've been to several shows and see cars that are not SS's and people are all so quick to point it out (most of them that bitch couldn't afford a plan Chevelle let alone a true SS).

So back to the plan....
-Disc Brakes
-bucket seats
-center console
-SS stripes (no rocker moldings)
-either 71 SS type rims or aftermarket rims (still up in the air about that part)
-Color... Shadow Gray 932 - '70 color (black interior)
-speed-o (w/tach added)


I do not want SS anywhere on the car.
I'm considering either going basically badge-less, or possibly going with Malibu & 400 on fenders.

I may reconsider the dash at some point, but I've always been partial to the sweep speed-o. Probably the only person that likes that...

Over the past several months... I have gone around with what I do and don't want, I always figured it would be easy to decide. But It's been a P.I.T.A. I guess it's because I have basically a CLEAN SLATE. It is not what I consider a desirable car in stock form, and it's far from rare. That's why I'm doing what I want to it.
I have sat down and put $$$ to what I want to do... I'm fully aware that when complete, it'll have cost double of what it's worth, but it'll be mine. And in the infamous words of Frank Sinatra.... "I DID IT MY WAY" https://www.google.com/search?q=i+di...utf-8&oe=utf-8

I have a plan of completion in 4-5 years... I don't want to rush. If I go slow... it won't impact the family budget as if I went ALL-IN. I've got family support, I have a dream and a Vision.

I'm open to incite, opinions and even some criticism.