Canadian Built Z15: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
The Chevelle SS 396 was already a hot property when RPO Z15 became available in 1970. That’s Chevy lingo for the SS 454 with the LS5 or LS6 V8. 8,773 were known to have been built, with perhaps fewer than 300 assembled in Oshawa, Ontario. The seller says this beauty is well-documented, but if you take the plunge, you’ll have to deal with Customs getting the car from Chatham Kent, Ontario into the U.S. (if you’re south of the border). From the seller’s description, this Chevy has been restored although we don’t know when.
Performance was still the “name of the game” in 1970, but the tides would soon change. Insurance companies were raising premiums on muscle cars and tightening emissions would take hold in 1971. The Super Sport was an option on the Chevelle in 1970, and more than 62,000 came with either the 396 or 454 powerplants. If you signed up for the latter and went with the LS5 engine, you were one of less than 4,300 buyers to do so. That set-up was rated at 360 horsepower, 90 less than the fire-breathing LS6.
According to ChevelleStuff, some of the Chevelle SS models were built in Canada (for U.S. consumption). That would have included 299 with the arrangement in the seller’s car. No data is available on how many were built for consumption in Canada so that’s the closest we can get. Whatever the case, this is said to be a numbers-matching vehicle that’s a “real deal” SS 454, not a clone. It comes with a TH-400 automatic transmission and posi-traction. The engine has been upgraded with LS6 components like the camshaft, crankshaft, and more. So, with cowl induction, perhaps it performs as well as the LS6.
The paint and interior colors are “factory” which implies not original. While the seller says this is a documented car, perhaps the original sheet metal and frame were worn out when it was restored because they came from a “Southern skeleton” and were completely redone. The dashboard comes with instrumentation applicable to the LS6. We’re told the car performs flawlessly and is available here on eBay with no reserve. The current ante for this beauty is $60,100.
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Comments
I think you folks South of the border, get about 25-30% bonus discount 💰 🍁
Not when the price is clearly marked in US.
Buy it. Drive it. Enjoy it. I can only dream of it. As a paperboy in my youth I remember a guy in my neighborhood who had a red with black stripes 454. He kept it immaculately clean. Oh, the memory.
I find Chevelles mostly overrated & boring, rarely even clicking on the listings. That said, I’d like to own this one.
I agree with you Tim. Back in these days .I was buying Grand Prix. These were considered kiddy cars. They’re okay now with time, but I think people are just too crazy about them. I’m not sure the younger kids coming up are really taking to them. They can’t afford them! Which means you’ll probably lose money when you go to sell in 5-10 years.
You are right. One of the only reasons I myself, will pass on one. They are not drivers anymore. They are soft investments. Gen Z & Millenials, have zero interest. Maybe 5% like them, mostly to look at. Both my sons, 31 & 33, well off that could easily buy this one here, no interest. One likes his ’22 Mercedes, the other, his ’23 F250 Tremor. They almost find it comical, when I show the pics & describe the thrills & races of the past of my Camaro’s, Vette’s, Challengers, GTO’s, all from ’66-70, ALL, big blocks & sticks!
In HS, they didn’t have these on the school lots like WE did. So 1st, they do not have the nostalgic interest like we still have. So there, lies the sad fact that in 5-10, these will be half price or even more. Sellers wont sell for less than what they paid lol! They’ll pass away. Widows will either estate auction them or practically give them away just to let go of something that got more interest, than them!
At 63 now, the tail end of a Boomer gen, I’d be crazy to ‘invest’ in one today as you said, 5-10 years from now, these will be a hard sale. Having already had the ‘fun’ supporting the Firestone tire co, I enjoy the reliability & power of my late model truck, a hint ‘Godzilla’! Amazing, more factory horsepower & torque than ANY of the past top end big block muscle cars.
People have been saying that garbage for years..10 years from now you will be losing money.. On purchasing … Wait for it.. A 1970 CHEVELLE SS!!!..that is so laughable, it really to be honest.. Should not even be addressed on this forum!! The KING of the muscle car era, you will lose money on!! Where do these novices or uninformed individuals come from each decade predicting the demise of this legend of the muscle car era come from?
I agree. When it comes to Chevys, I always gravitated towards the purpose built sporty cars, not the ones converted from a family mobile.
Give me a Camaro or Corvette every time.
8773 built, only 15478 remain. Still a nice car, but you’ll have to defend it all the time to convince everyone it is not a clone.
So I was wondering, how are there more remaining than were built? I saw that in the article too. Lol.
This should clear it up for you:
https://barnfinds.com/496-v8-ss-clone-1970-chevrolet-chevelle-malibu/
This is a Canadian built car. Why wouldn’t the owner spend the $200 and get the build details from the GM Vintage Services. It will detail exactly how the car was built, and you never need to argue with anyone whether it’s original or a clone.
If you would have bothered to read the description on eBay, you would have seen that the seller has that exact documentation from GM of Canada.
Canadian built 70 Chevelles don’t have the center bar in the grill painted body colour
Whether you favor these or not a ’70 Chevelle is a timeless design. Buy, drive and enjoy. Have smile you can’t wipe off your face.
The 70 chevelle SS WILL always be the face of the muscle car era, regardless of your opinions! Movies, commercials, hollywood, have turned this specific automobile into Americana! This car will ALWAYS maintain its place in the market place, regarding value and has really nothing to do specifically with younger generation wanting the car per se, but more aligned with investment value, per the above mentioned value! Yes, they may drive their EVs down the road, but the kids college fund is setting in the garage!
60 grand for what is essentially an LS-6 clone seems a bit much. I happen to love ’70 Chevelles, and this one is a looker, but it is still not the “real deal” If it were a 4 speed, I think it would be worth maybe $45,000, but that’s just me.
It’s not a clone, so how can you say essentially a LS6 clone? And to the guys saying they don’t resonate with the younger generation, my son has wanted a 1970 Chevelle since he was 13. It’s not just movies making this car iconic, it’s in multiple video games too. My son is 24 now and he has a 1970 Chevelle SS tribute car with a fuel injected 350 and overdrive transmission sitting in the garage next to my 1965 Mustang K-code fastback. I am not partial to any particular brand, and I love both of them.
Mark F. Because it is a clone of an LS-6. Notice the comment about the gauges “applicable to an LS-6”. As I said, it’s a pretty car, but it’s an LS-5.
You can’t touch a nice authentic 70 SS396 for less than $60k. And this one is an LS5.
Ok some of you touched on another one of my pet peaves. All this talk of investment and values, I don’t see how you can be a car guy and have that mindset. I buy cars I like and guess what, I plan to actually keep them and enjoy them. If the value declines who cares, I’m not selling anyway. Value only matters when the car is for sale. Some of you seem to be more money enthusiasts than car enthusiasts.
Value can be perceived in many different realities or context! The current market, regardless of opinions always sets the market financially, based on rarity and demand of product! That is Econ 101, which you cannot debate, or try to turn or twist into a non reality argument to justify a non logic ideaology! The car in mention in this forum is the most sought after muscle car of the era, and demands the value which the market place continues to support year after year, decade after decade! Please run the average sell and purchase dollars against any other muscle car of this time frame, the 70 Chevelle SS leaves others in the dust, and the numbers do not lie! Check the facts!
Not debating it’s current or future “value”. Only stating that the dollar value is only applicable when the item is for sale. A real enthusiast owns such a car usually for life, or until they are physically unable to enjoy it. How much they could sell it for doesn’t matter. I know of people who are so attached to their classic cars that they wouldn’t sell them for twice what they are “worth”. Purchasing cars as an investment is always a big risk. It isn’t just supply and demand that controls these prices, the state of the economy, increasing costs of living, and runaway inflation reduces the amount people have for disposable income and the classic car market is one of the first things that takes a hit from these.
The classic car market in its current state is not for the financially week of heart nor those who have not been in the
Market over length of time. People who participate in the stock market over a period of time also will tell you the very same, money or gains will be made over the life of investments not short gains with exceptions noted. Eventually, all these cars will rotate in one way or another ” through the market place”..the point here is not other cars have the pedigree of the 70 Chevelle SS, which in dollar sells immune to negative economic forecast! To be very honest here, the perspective buyers here, seeking out these cars are really not worried about paying ten dollars for a real meal deal, due to the winds of inflation! These buyers are ready and willing to layout 5-6 figures to buy that mat aching numbers 70 Chevelle SS with that Muncie 4 speed cruncher! Once again in this context, demand, rarity equals basic Econ 101, the sky is the limit! I have been in this market a long time, dollars and sells are the facts…end of subject..point made!
Wooderson says: “Alright, Alright, Alright, bring ‘er down to Texas and we will have us a race!”