1972 Chevelle SS: Ken Peters Readers’ Ride

Apr 7, 2019 • Readers' Rides • Comment icon Comment

This 1972 Chevelle SS caught the eye of its current owner, Ken Peters, some four-plus years ago.

A long-time hardcore Chevy fan for as long as he can remember, Ken knew he wanted a Chevy Chevelle SS and searched until he found the one featured here.

Ken wanted to find one that still looked stock and had already completed the body and paint. After two years, he found this striking 1972 Chevelle SS 454 online.

1972 Chevelle SS - Front Photo
The super straight body panels on this 1972 Chevelle SS were sprayed with tuxedo black paint paired with the correct dual super sport stripes painted in pearl white. The stripes cover both the hood and rear deck lid. This raised cowl induction hood has standard hood pins found on all Super Sports Chevelles.

First seeing it on eBay, Ken did a Google search of the VIN, where he discovered it was for sale from a dealer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

He called the dealer and struck a deal; this 1972 muscle car was his.

Once this 98,000-mile Chevy arrived, the entire car went through a rigorous evaluation so the true state of the car could be assessed.

The car ran and drove. However, it wasn’t safe enough for freeway driving. It still needed some work to make it a reliable driver, so he went to work.

1972 Chevelle SS - Engine Bay Photo
Originally a 402 cubic inch, a 454 cubic inch engine now resides under the hood with an estimated 375 horsepower output. The engine is mated with what appears to be the original TH400 automatic transmission that pushes power back out to the 12-bolt posi differential with a 3.31 gear.

Ken turned his attention to the mechanicals and addressed the engine, brakes, and suspension. Now, it is as roadworthy as the day it drove off the assembly line.

Then the dashboard lights in the interior didn’t work. After some serious wiring sleuthing, the issue was fixed.

1972 Chevelle SS - Interior Photo
The entire black vinyl interior with bucket seats looks very correct. There are only two things that aren’t correct upon closer inspection. First, while the steering wheel looks like it could be correct, it was an option on Chevelles from 1969 to 1970. Second, an aftermarket radio is hidden in the dash, but it isn’t noticeable at first glance.

To authenticate the car as a true Super Sport, dropping the gas tank will be done in order to check for a build sheet. It’s the last place he needs to check.

The dealer indicated that this Chevelle originally had a 402 cubic inch engine, but no factory documentation was provided at the time of purchase. However, the VIN confirms a 402 engine, suggesting the car was either a Heavy Chevy or a Super Sport.

Since acquiring the car, the focus has been on returning it back to a stock look including SS Rally Wheels, underhood decals, and other assorted minor details.

Ken’s getting his fair share of miles on the odometer as he now drives it to local car shows and cruise nights. He enjoys talking about his car and answering questions.

1972 Chevelle SS Cowl Induction Hood Photo
“Cowl Induction” was Chevy’s method for forcing cold, high-pressure air from the windshield into the carburetor upon sudden acceleration. It looked cool and was very functional and a clever idea—adding a quick punch of horsepower when drag racing.

Having seen this car in person, I’m certain this 1972 Chevelle SS turns a lot of heads and gets its fair share of thumbs up, cruising down the road for years to come.

At a Glance:

Well, there you have this gorgeous 1972 Chevelle SS owned by Ken Peters. Be sure to subscribe if you like content like this!

Author Photo

Ryan Wheaton

Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.