73 Baldwin Motion Phase III SS 427 Chevelle

[SuperCars]

Selling 73 Motion Phase III SS 427 Chevelle. Documented with certification letter from Joel. Also the Motion invoices, plus letters of correspondence between the original owner and Joel in mid-1972. This is the last new Chevelle built by Motion Performance at the high cost of $12,030.00. Joel used this car in magazine ads, as well as photo of it in his catalogs. The first feature story was done by Marty Schorr on this car in Jan/Feb 74 Super Chevy. Lately was featured in Muscle Car review May 2000 issue.

It was built with a highly modified 550+ HP 427 L88, M22, Lakewood Scattershield, Hooker Headers with Side Exhaust, Hone-o-Drive, 4.88 12 bolt Posi, Mallory CD ignition, Sun Tach and guages, Superbite Suspension, 1150 Holley Dominator Carb, Ansen Sprint Slot mags, etc. Capable of 11.5 in the 1/4 mile. Priced at $99,000.

http://www.corvettes-musclecars.com/yenko.net/73BM.jpg

Kevin, how many volleyball nets? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JoeC]

Does paperwork show original dealer as Baldwin Chevy? If so what is date? This will help me date the closing of Baldwin Chevy which I think was around 73?
That car has great paper. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr70]

Thats a lot of VolleyBall nets.
A Nice Chevelle Kevin. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SuperCars]

There is no Dealership paperwork. The documents are of Motion invoices and letters of correspondence, with the owner correspondence directly with Motion. In mid-1972 Letters of correspondence to Joel show that the owner had originally ordered a 72 SS 454 Camaro, but changed his order to a 73 SS 454 Chevelle which were in production in 1972. Following this change the motor option was changed next, as Joel had a holdover L88 427 Race motor in inventory which he offered to the owner at a discount. There are letters demonstrating these changes. The letter of certification from Joel states it as a bonifide Baldwin Motion. There is no doubt that this car was a new car order built by the same process at Motion as was any prior Baldwin Motion new car order. Whether or not Baldwin Chevrolet closed before, during or after this time span from initial order of it to completion of it, isn't apparent.

But back to selling it today, it is an awesome car with awesome history and magazine coverage. It is one of a kind, as it is the last Motion Phase III Chevelle built. Priced below $100K is reasonable, when compared to some of the Camaro's prices.

[TimG]

I have a "Cars" magazine from 1973 that has an article on this car, also.

[SuperCars]

Hi Tim, what month of 73 CARS is it in? I am still very intrigued with this car, which makes it hard to sell it.

Belk, this car has your name all over it. But don't ask me to airmail it to you like your last one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mr 70, thanks, it is a special car.

[TimG]

I will check when I return home this evening. I may stop home at noon if I am able to. I remember it was a great article. All of these old Cars magazines seem to be devoted to Motion cars.

[TimG]

My memory is going, I checked all 12 issues from 1973 and found nothing about yours or any Chevelle done by Motion, sorry. The issue I was thinking about is the April 72 issue with a black SS Chevelle done by Motion. Sorry to mislead you.

[JoeC]

It was in a magazine when it was new but I can't recall which one.

[whitetop]

Kevin
It was also in 1001 Custom and Rod Ideas. Same publisher as Super Chevy. It was basically the same article but they used some different pics. 1001 would take articles out of Popular Hot Rodding and SC and rerun them with different pics to get more sales. I remember because I sold both issues together on ebay as a set.

[JoeC]

Mad Mike has an article on it on his site.

[JoeG]

JoeC
I never really thought about, when Motion advertised cars on their own----but you made me curious , so this is what I came up with-------BALDWIN/MOTION--advertised together--68/69 catolog[missing 70,71] 72 catalog Motion is alone in its advertisement[ no Baldwin/Motion combine].
Also---I have a HI-PERFORMANCE CARS mag.-4/72[ Baldwin/Motion ] advertised together.-------In a HI-PERFORMANCE mag.--2/73-- MOTION, advertises without BALDWIN.
So I would guess they both went on their own sometime between 4/72 -2/73, I still have some other mags to look through--found an old MSC member card -expired 3/73.---maybe this info can help you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif------JoeG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Charley Lillard]

Is there a NICB report that shows where the 73 Motion Chevelle was sold new ?

[JoeG]

Charley,
I can't help you with a NICB report---but that 4/72--3/73 time span is not written in stone-just my opinion.The info I posted was just to establish a time frame when the Baldwin/Motion marriage was officially over??---UNOFFICIALLY???--- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif---JoeG-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[JoeC]

I called the Baldwin Library and town Clerk and they couldn't tell me. The Town Clerk did tell me that Baldwin Auto Sales was still registered to sell cars into the late 70s. Joel bought my Motion SS Monte new from Lion Chevrolet in 1987 which was in same location as Baldwin Chevy was. I was hoping that the 73 Motion Chevelle paperwork would be the "missing link" to show when Baldwin Chevy closed.

[COPO]

I was thinking 1971 was the final year of Baldwin-Motion cars and the 1972 model years were just Motion cars.

[TimG]

I have all Cars issues for 1972 & 1973.

[JoeC]

Oct 72 Cars Magazine still has the grave stone ad for a 72 454 Motion Camaro and has Baldwin Chevy listed. In the 1973 ads it just has only Motion so that's why I think it was some where late 72 early 73 for Baldwin Chevy closing.

[Seattle Sam]

You might want to adjust that by a couple of months, most magazines go to print well before the issue date. Note that you are receiving your July issues of various magazines in the mail now...and the layout was probably completed for them by the first of May.
-Sam

[hvychev]

Joe you have a Motion Monte SS?

[JoeG]

JoeC,
I use to see a white? Monte SS,at Motion, with MOTION body parts on it, along with a Camaro & Gran national,they were usually working on one or the other.---Always admired all three when I stopped by---is that Motion-Monte now yours??

[JoeC]

Yes that is it. White Motion Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe that Joel built as supercharged 350. I have been collecting info on it to make a post but this is Kevin's Chevelle post so will make new post.

[SuperCars]

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking 1971 was the final year of Baldwin-Motion cars and the 1972 model years were just Motion cars.

[/ QUOTE ]

Charlie, somehow this sounds backwards. I would prefer to say, prior to 72(73?), most MOTION cars built by Joel Rosen had sales orders through Baldwin Chevrolet; but 99.9% of the cars Baldwin Chevrolet sold, were "just" ordinary Baldwin cars.

To answer the other Charleys comment: "Is there a NICB on this car"? No, and I haven't tried to obtain one. Through the letters of correspondence and Motion invoices, this was a new car order; built by MOTION. Specifically, it was NOT a new car sent to MOTION by an outside customer/dealer for conversion.

I keep saying a Harrell car is significant/valuable by Harrell's handiwork; not by which Dealer Harrell obtained the car from. I just realize myself, as a collector that is willing to pay out the money for them, the primary significance/value of a Motion Car is through Joel and Motion Performance.

As I own many Baldwin sold MOTION cars, I am not trying to dis-credit Baldwin Chevrolet, it is just the thought process of Motion Cars is backwards by many. A funny thought, as I hope some of you aren't suggesting: "why build a 2002 Motion Camaro as Baldwin is closed"?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[COPO]

Kevin, I think you mis-interpreted my use of the word "just", many people (mostly uninformed) refer to all Motion cars as "Baldwin Motion". I agree with you on all points that the value of the cars is mostly attributable to Motion, Harrell, etc. That being said, if two Motion cars of the same year, condition, options, etc. one sold through Baldwin Chev. and one sold at another dealer, the Baldwin Motion car would certainly be more desireable and hence more valuable. Once Baldwin shut down, it is mute. The Chevelle in question is a great car and the paperwork on it is stellar. Good luck on the sale. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[JoeG]

SuperCars,
Never thought, tried to imply or said that it wasn't an original documented PhaseIII SS-427.-----Nice example of Motion Magic.----JoeG ---/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[JoeG]

SuperCars,
Last year a parts store?-- can't remember the state[ east?]---Anyway this parts store had an Hone-Overdrive [300] new in the box --$1500--I called to buy it but he said he was waiting for a fella ,who called first & had a motion car, to call back---when I called him back he told me the fella with the Motion car bought the unit----Could you be that Motion-fella?----JoeG[early-bird I am not--the worms are safe]

[SuperCars]

Charlie, no problem here; I'm just trying to express what is most significant for a MOTION car. You are right when people (mostly uninformed) don't realize what a MOTION car is; unless it came from Baldwin. Although I have only MOTION documents for my 73 Chevelle, it appears this car could have come through Baldwin, as Joel's letter says. But in reference to any Baldwin MOTION car, the sad part is that Baldwin did nothing except write up a sales order.

JoeG, No sweat, I didn't think you or anyone for that matter, was trying to say anything negative about my 73 Phase III Chevelle. It is an awesome, impeccable and documented car that I hope no one buys; as I wish to have a MOTION collection that is second to none. Also I wasn't the one that bought the hone-o-drive. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Belair62]

These cars are cool no matter where they were sold...are the cars that carry the Baldwin/Motion heritage more desireable or valuable than the non-Baldwin sold cars? Supercars ...if you hope no one buys it...why offer it for sale ??? Just ship it here and I will store it for you.

[SuperCars]

Hi Bob, It is true that with MOTION cars that would be built virtually identical, the car sold through Baldwin would have more recognition, and therefore enhanced more than the new car brought in from a different dealer. But, I also agree with COPO Charlie when he says that after Baldwin closed, it would be a moot issue though, as Joel still built the same MOTION cars as before, was the only place to order one, and was still a new car order originating in Baldwin NY. The bottom line, as I've kept repeating; is that any documented MOTION car only has it's value by fact that Joel/MOTION built it, and not by where the car originated from.

When I mention I hope this Chevelle doesn't sell, it's that way every time I list a car. I didn't like selling any of my cars I've sold in the past, and wish I could've kept every car I've ever owned. But now I'm back to having a space issue, and have come to the conclusion that there is such a thing as having too much of a good thing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Belair62]

I hate to see you feel bad so I will generously store it for free in a controlled environment..will also make sure it doesn't get carboned up...no charge !

[SuperCars]

Bob, I may need to do that to keep peace at home here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Larry Christensen will be bringing my 67 Yenko home soon with no room left in my showroom or garages. It was when I hinted about having to park one of my wife's cars outside, that I think I might be in trouble. Can't complain though, my wife has been great throughout my Car adventures.

[55chevy]

If you're running out of space for your Motion cars you can keep one at my house. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[JohnnyV]

You an get Joel to build you a 2003 as long as you want to pay the price . Joels new gig is www.motionmodels.com (http://www.motionmodels.com) . /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif