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My '72 was "originally" purchased for my wife. At the time I had a fathom green ‘69 SS, and this was going to be her car. My buddy donated a fresh 350 that I was going to drop in and I was going to try to paint it all myself and have an inexpensive fun toy for the bride. Before that took place I got a 454 for it and the car suddenly became "mine"! I got tired of the fathom green of the ‘69 as it was pretty original and I couldn't really toy it up with good conscience, so I sold it and concentrated on "my" ‘72 SS Clone. It was bought locally from a lady who had purchased it from her girlfriend’s grandmother and used it to commute to college. It was pretty economical with a 6 cylinder and power glide. (That was all about to change!) I had talked the seller into selling it to me instead of a guy who was going to buy it for his 16 year old kid. I had to promise to take good care of "Sarah". I drove it home and immediately began to tear it apart. I installed power disc brakes in place of the old manual drums, rebuilt all of the suspension using polygraphite. I had most of the suspension powder coated while it was off. Then I found an M-21 complete setup and installed that. I removed the 10 bolt 3:08 and put in a 12 bolt posi that we completely rebuilt with 4:10 gears. Once the drive train and suspension were done, I took it on the road and got everything straightened out, I had the car inspected. I then got a set of buckets for it and recovered them with new upholstery. I added the SS dash and console which I restored. Then it was off to the body shop for an idea of where to go with the body. After looking the car over, Frank (the body shop guy) suggested full quarters for it instead of the skins I had already bought, and THAT’S where the money started adding up! I got NOS full 1/4s for it. Then I figured only NOS fenders would do, so I got a set of them. I got a deal on a used original SS hood, and basically started looking for anything NOS I could find for the car. These included grille, grille trim, headlight and turn signal bezels, roof drip moldings, front bumper, console door, interior dome light to name a few. I also got all new glass for the car.  
After talking to Frank, I explained that I was interested in learning to do bodywork, and had a little experience. He told me to bring up my fenders and he would let me prep them there under his supervision. Next was tackling the doors and deck lid. Both had some rust which Frank showed me how to repair. I spent several days fabricating patches for the driver's door shell from a Monte Carlo door. After I had all the pieces hammered and cut into shape, Frank said, "Ok, go weld them on!" (Only problem was I had never welded.) With a little supervision I was off and welding! After all the body parts were done, I brought the rest of the car to the shop. (I had already removed the rear 1/4's.) Frank helped me fit them on and I welded them in. Then the car was primed and I block sanded it for months it seems! After I got it all finished and all the pieces were jammed in, the car was painted. (The color is 99 Dodge Viper Silver Pearl metallic in Dupont Chroma base/clear) Then I laid out the stripes and they were painted on and cleared over. Next I wet sanded the car with 1000 then 1500 and Frank buffed it to a glass-like finish. (He made me promise not to tell anyone who painted it because although he loves restoring old cars, his collision work doesn't allow him much time for it.) EVERYONE who sees the car asks who did the paint! I had spent EVERY free minute at the body shop. Thanks to my wife, Jen for being SOOOO understanding! Once painted, I flat bedded it home and began to reassemble it. 
After getting the car all together and complete, I took it to my buddies to show it off. (THE day it was done) I left his house and heard a noise coming from the motor. I called Scott and 2 days later we pulled the motor and found the main bearings were all failing as well as some rod bearings. The motor was completely disassembled, heads sent out, and ported etc. The motor was built by Bob Frattone. I highly recommend him to anyone in the Philadelphia area! It now sports a Comp 294 S, forged Speed Pro pistons, and forged Scat rods, a used GM forged crank etc. The car is now in the 500 HP range. It's a blast to drive! I have acquired another car for my wife, a 69 Malibu convertible and am about to start that. Here we go again!
A complete photo history of the car is available on my website  http://www.noneckschevelle.com/72album1.htm