Real Super Sport: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Project
For the 1970 Chevelle Super Sport, engine choices ranged from excellent to better, with the 350 horsepower 396 coming in as the minimum that could be had in your SS. Optional was the L78 that provided an additional 25 HP, and a few of the most serious-minded buyers chose the 454, which was available in LS5 and LS6 varieties, with this 1970 Chevelle SS here on eBay originally 396 equipped but now sporting a 454 under the hood. This Chevy is a project that needs plenty of work, but 8 bids have already taken the price up to $10,000 so a few hopefuls are seeing some potential here, but that’s not enough cash yet for a sale as the reserve’s not been met. Head on down to Past And Present Motor Cars in Ocoee, Florida, if you want to check the car out in person first.
The build sheet here gives us some good insight into how the Chevelle started out, including the L34 which was the lesser of the two 396 variants although it’s hard for me to consider a big block making 350 HP right out the door as necessarily an underdog. This one also originally came with a Turbo 400 automatic transmission, plus the package also included a 12-bolt rear-end with 3.31 gears inside.
But the seller tells us the 396 this Chevelle left Atlanta with has been replaced with a rebuilt 454, and unfortunately, we get very little information regarding where the block came from or what’s inside, so many of the motor details remain evasive. The only number stamp provided is here, but I think that’s just the chassis ID.
The build sheet also shows the original color was Dark Blue, which some of the Chevy is still wearing but the seller says the quarters have already been replaced, so the panels remaining blue are probably what will need the most attention from the next owner. There are some rust areas in the lower sections of both front fenders, especially on the passenger side, and both the hood and trunk have plenty of corrosion on top which hopefully hasn’t sunk below the surface, and best case scenario these two items might be salvageable.
Parts galore are saturating much of the interior, but what can be seen of the inside components isn’t looking too promising without a whole lot of refurbishing, at least on the dash. The interior panels are missing and it’s hard to critique the overall seat condition, as a decent view is impossible with all those extra pieces on top, but some positive news is a front bumper is in there. Is this 1970 Chevelle Super Sport worth the time and money it will take to get back on the road?
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Comments
Me and my wallet wouldn’t live long enough to do anything with this car. I certainly agree that a few hopefuls might want this car but hope doesn’t go a long way these days. I can say that with all the cars I’ve restored I’ve never done one as bad as this one and some of the recent disasters on BF.
Totally agree with you on the time frame
The dealer has it listed on their website for $35,970. It’s hard to see it bringing that much money.
This would have been a pretty car when new, but the bench seat interior and idiot light instrument cluster would have made it uninspiring. At least it came with a posi and rear sway bar.
Steve R
Another money pit. Fools are born every moment..
I’m not sure if it’s the timing of the Arizona auctions or the cabin fever in Winter but these always seems to show up in number in February.
Anyone want to chime in on the lumps provenance?
Seeing this car reminds me of that ’71 Cyclone I saw last week. At least there’s a build sheet to verify its authenticity. Ditch the 454, get a date-correct 396 and restore this to the specs according to the build sheet.
It’s listed on the sellers website for $35,000+.
Steve R
That is nuts. I’d buy a drivers condition 442, GS or GTO for around the same money and be cruising the same day.
Well major points to consider- first the car is Chevelle, which is the name brand representing the muscle car era, or Americana in the mindset of the majority of muscle car fans even in the movies! Second this a 1970 Chevelle, not a 69, 71, 72..but the big daddy of this brand. Second this big daddy has the build sheet to prove the car is a true SS!So difficult anymore to figure out fake or legit! I have a 70 Chevelle SS, I think without build sheet but a roller, with all the normal attributes of an SS, but does have the KS L code stamped on it and the date it was built and sent to a dealership in Wisconsin. So a build sheet is so totally worth tremendous value on the resale market! Third the quarters gave been replaced, metal work is not cheap and finding those who did high quality work if you are lucky will not be easy to come by. Last you have a rebuilt engine ready to go or swap out for market value. These car will not get cheaper, but continue to grow in value. Oh by the way for the naysayers who believe EV are going to take over, you may want to consider your point when you see rent a car companies dumping their fleets of EVs, car companies, cutting production numbers, and EVs at zero degrees not functioning. Americans do not want them, gas driven engines are here to stay! Happy motoring!
Ran hard and put away beat up.
Talk about putting lipstick on a pig.