Wonderful job saving this piece of Motion history, I look forward to some wheel and tire change-ups. The original slots and bias-plys would really top off the look!

Today, I took the car out on the 4th of July and tested the Hone-O-Drive. The gear ratio went from 4:88 to 3:42 and I can tell you a big difference in the ratio. I can actually take the car for a good ride as the car is a cruiser with 3:42's.

Regards, Mark,,,

1972 Motion Chevelle - On the Road
 

To all,

I have provided some pictures of the car finally done and on the road. The Hone work perfectly allowing street and racing gears at a flip of a lever. I can save a little GAS now! Funny, this beast eats the good purple fuel (110 octane) like drinking water on a hot day.

I must say, it is an enjoyable car and it puts you back into the 1970's.

Enjoy, Mark

Great job on this car.

Enjoy the heck out of it. Don't let it get away from you.

I fully get the issue with the headers. I put a set of large tube headers and side pipes on a 454 powered C3 back in 1977. I was absolutely convinced that the headers had been jigged up incorrectly and would never fit. Gave it a rest for a couple days, tried again, and got them to go. Just as you described, there some very tight gaps you could barely run a sheet of notebook paper through.

Looks great Mark! The car has a stealthy, bad ass stance to it....well, as stealthy as Cragars and side pipes can be:haha:

It sure does remind me of my old '72. Looks great!

Love it!!

I just read this whole thread. What a great story. Congratulations on all your hard work. Beautiful Motion Chevelle!

1972 Motion Performance Chevelle Fiftieth Anniversary
 

On September 17, 1971 fifty years ago, Bob the former owner placed down 1700.00 as a deposit for this Chevelle. Next week he will be back in town and he will take if for a cruise.

I think it is wonderful to have this car and the original owner cruising the streets of Hicksville again. I added some pictures for reference and to help any other member who needs any clarification on the build.

Enjoy, Mark

how cool. Thank you for sharing!
:headbang:

Great story and cool paperwork!

1972 Baldwin Motion - Original Owner Drive
 

What a Wonderful Day!

A Historical Classic Car was returned to the local roads in Hicksville yesterday. The car in this story “1972 Baldwin Motion Chevelle”, was ordered over 50 years ago and originally owned by Bob and Cindy.

You may ask, why is this a special automobile as it looks very similar to any other modified street racing car from the 1970’s. The history of this car is special, as it was ordered by Bob a Hicksville Resident after he came out of the service and at a time when cars were subject to the gas crisis and all cars having emissions to cut down on pollution. This was also the time when car horsepower was dropped in half and not the best time to have a street racing car. Bob decided to order a specially equipped street racing car that was purchased from a Chevrolet dealer and directly shipped to Baldwin Motion where it was disassembled and refitted with special high-performance parts.

As background, it has taken 7 months to perform a mechanical restoration on this car to put it back to its glory days as it was ordered and delivered to Bob in December, 1971. I could go on for hours on all the individual efforts supporting this restoration but I have to thank Tom who was the master mechanic putting this car back on the road.

It was wonderful having Bob take the car around Hicksville to relive his youth and to personally thank him for the opportunity as the next custodian of this special car.

Check out the youtube video: https://youtu.be/hiurk-ORZA4

Regards,
Mark Thomas

How cool is that! thanks for sharing

That is a cool story and that 72 is Bad A$$!

----Mark,,,Are you happy with the height of the rear end? Please don't take this as a negative post, just wondering. Maybe the extra passengers?.....Bill S

Bill

I think the back is a little low and I replaced the springs. It is lower with the people in the back definitely. When it sits normally it looks correct but I think it should be about 2 inches higher. I may put air shocks on the car someday to match the original purchase

Thanks for the feedback

Awesome Chevelle! Thanks for sharing with the group!

Would love to have you join us at MCACN in 2022! Please consider joining us.

Bashton

YES! It would be an Awesome addition to the Class of 72. Owner needs to make it Happen!

Thanks and will consider, mark

1972 Baldwin Motion Dyno Test / Happy Holidays
 

On this day fifty years ago, the original owner (Bob) took delivery on his Baldwin Motion Chevelle. I wanted to post as this is a very significant in the car’s history. For the readers, I provided a YouTube video where it shows the pulling of the engine on a very accurate dyno. The engine produced well over 500 hp and it keep gaining power at 6500 RPM and would have continued to 7500 RPM. I elected not to push the engine because I cannot replace it nor will I ever take it to a point where it could be damaged.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vYMFCzdSYk

As far as I’m concerned, it would have been in the range of what Motion advertised for horsepower given it is a naturally aspirated engine.

It has been a fun year and now the car is sleeping for the winter. I want to wish all of the readers who encouraged and provided me with advice to have a Happy Holiday Season.

Enjoy, Mark Thomas

Dave Ankenbauer's 1972 Baldwin Motion 454 Phase III Corvette
 

To all readers,

I have a question on Dave Ankenbauer's 1972 Baldwin Motion 454 Phase III Corvette. I know the car was sold to Dave Belk who I think is still the current owner.

My 1972 454 Phase III chevelle has the same bill of sale date 12/13/1971 (Receipt number 209) as Dave's car 12/13/1971 (receipt number 210). In order to enhance my documentation, I'm looking for a good copy of Dave's Bill of sale.

Anyway, I would like to contact Dave and get a copy of his Bill of Sale. I also posted this request on facebook... Let me know if anyone can assist with this request?

thanks mark

I recently found and purchased the exact same scattershield. Like you said, it does not have any markings or part numbers on either the shield or block plate. If there was a sticker it is long gone as somebody painted it chevy orange a long time ago. The original white is still visible all over. The guy I bought it from said it’s been in his garage for 40 years. Pretty cool to see yours looking brand new :biggthumpup:

Response to Scatter Shield
 

Thanks for the feedback! The manufacture of the shield is E/T from what I found but i do not recall what E/T stood for....

See attached pictures and they are difficult to find and mine is 50 years old.. thanks again, mark

I believe E/T stands for Eastern Tool, not the same company as E-T wheels.

Mark, You will not find a better copy of the original than what you have. The original bill of sale is no longer with the car. Maybe still with the niece of the OO?

1972 Baldwin Motion Chevelle - 2022 Cruise Night
 

Today, I took the 1972 Motion Chevelle out to a car night in Bellmore, New York. I went with my friend Tom who is also the master mechanic who supported the mechanical restoration.

I had a sign made by Pete Arnell (https://www.facebook.com/pete.arnell) which was not ready for tonight. I have provided the sign and two pictures of the car for your review.

I took it on a 18 mile trip on the parkway using the hone o drive (3:42 ratio) instead of 4:88's on the highway.

The car loves fuel (110 octane) but to drive this historical classic car and to share the stories from the original owner (Bob) was well worth it.

Happy Holidays to all!! Regards, Mark

If I knew you would be at Bellmore, I would have made my way out there tonight. I definitely want to see this beast in person! You should take it for a ride down Sunrise highway and snap a picture of it in the lot where Motion used to be located. My buddy did that with his 70 Camaro.

Thanks as I really had no plans on going. I just wanted to fire it up and friend said let’s go! I’m more of a Milleridge guy and sometimes oyster bay. I will send you a private if I remember when I go. Thanks again for the feedback and suggestion

Mark

Original Owner taking his 1972 Phase III Motion for a ride
 

To all,

I decided to put up a video that was taken on 9/26/2021 having the original owner Bob taking the car back through Hicksville, New York.

This was a very iconic and just wonderful to have this event take place with Bob and his wife. He did not jump on the car but you will enjoy the local cruise and his comments related to the car,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi0I8j6KLaY


Enjoy, Mark

Very nice!,thanks for sharing that with us.

Very Cool!
Thanks for Posting.

Super cool! Love the video of the OO driving.

I just bought a 2001 Mustang Bullitt from a guy named Jerry who, as it turns out, is a friend of Bob. They grew up together in Hicksville and went to the same high school. When he saw my 1972 Chevelle SS in the garage he started telling me about his friends 1972 Baldwin Motion Chevelle SS. He told me Bob let him drive the car when it was only two weeks old. What a small world!

1972 Baldwin Motion Chevelle
 

thanks for that feedback and good luck with your bullitt mustang.. Thanks for the story on Bob and Hicksville, NY.

1972 Baldwin Motion Chevelle Update 2023
 

I did some minor updates to support a different look as suggested by many on this web site. I added replacement Air Shocks to add 2 inches to the rear end making the car less squatty. In addition, a replacement grill and a vaccum pump was added to help with braking. The pump really helped with the braking..

Anyway, looking forward to get back on the road in the next several weeks..

Regards, Mark