Rare Drop-Top! 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
New to Chevrolet in 1970 was the 454 cubic inch V8, which gave the performance-minded buyers of Chevelle Super Sports more choices. The LS5 version of the motor was a bit tame compared to the LS56 (390 vs. 450 hp). This 1970 Chevelle SS 454 is not a clone or tribute and has its original LS5 motor, but the exterior and interior color combinations have changed over the years. From State Island, New York, this well-kept muscle car is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $60,300, but the reserve is likely way north of that.
Introduced as an option on the Chevelle Malibu in 1964, the SS 396 became a series of its own in 1966. After 1968, the Super Sport reverted back to an option. So published production numbers get a bit vague when it comes to 1970 Chevelle’s with the SS 454, especially convertibles. We do know that 7,500 Malibu convertibles were built that year and LS5 454 production was 2,763, but how those two numbers intersect as a drop-top isn’t known. Likely south of 1,000 and maybe less than that,
The seller has owned this ’70 Chevelle for the past 10 years. He tells us the car’s original color was Forest Green with a white bench seat interior. That was replaced 30 years ago by a black and tan interior with a Tuxedo Black coat of paint and a matching convertible top (10 years ago). The paint is not perfect, but more than presentable.
Fortunately, the car has retained its original engine which was rebuilt about 1,500 miles ago. There was some tweaking done to make it make like the LS6 edition of the 454 motor (for example, a hydraulic version of the camshaft). The rear-end is a 12-bolt version with the gears changed from a ratio of 3.31 o 3.73. The 4-speed manual transmission apparently is not original as the M22 close-ratio box was a dealer warranty item from 1977.
This Chevy originally had manual steering, but everything including the box was changed out to go to variable-ratio power steering. The suspension and brakes have also been upgraded as well as the exhaust. The Rally wheels are date-coded along with the cowl hood, fenders, bumpers, and more. The car seldom gets out of the garage and the seller isn’t interested in working much on cars these days so that probably has prompted the sale. How far could the bidding go on this beauty? Perhaps to the $91,000 appraisal the seller had done on it a year ago,
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Comments
They went to all the trouble to swap out interior but looks odd with what appears to be the bench seat shifter……
The wire hanging under the glove box is another nice touch. .
Whaddya want for only $60K?!
Matching color convertible top should be a felony.
Cool Chevrolet. A tan top to match interior would be slick. Taller final drive would be nice here for cruising Id rather have a 3.08. And wind out the long gears on the hwy.
I like the black top with the black body. Normally I like some contrast, but I think this looks slick.
I had a white ’69 Cadillac DeVille convertible that had a white top. It resembled Boss Hogg’s car except I had the red interior.
Anyhow, the all black exterior, to me, looks sinister, and is very appropriate for the nature of this car.
Cool car!
This will be interesting to watch as a harbinger of the muscle car economy with gas prices skyrocketing. If it doesn’t get near the 91, I think that’ll be a sign of issues.
If you can afford to buy this car you can afford to put $10.00/gallon gas in it to drive enjoy.
To think gas prices effects people who can afford play toys that cost this much is just plain FOOLISH!
Folks that want and can afford this car…
Don’t care what gas costs
PS I own a 64 Lemans convertible
Triple Black…
Never heard a negative comment
FWIW
Totally agree. This car will never be an every day driver. Gas prices and miles per gallon mean nothing when you are talking about a car like this. Fire it up and let it rip!!!!
Interior looks odd with that shifter, needs a console and the proper shifter, and go back to white interior
Even changed the steering box, how else would you have power steering? This car isn’t worth 90k with the color changes and interior changes what you think?
I agree. Too much for a car this far from original. Prices across the board are overheated right now. I’ll wait ’till the economy softens to buy another. Recession is the best time to buy.
Probably just mistake in how you worded it, but the LS6 had a solid lifter cam. Assume the LS5 was a hydraulic.
I think what he meant was it’s a hydraulic cam with similar spec’s as the factory LS6 solid cam Comp cams and several other cam companies offer a blueprint cam with very close numbers to their mechanical lifter counterpart
Personally im not sure what was so bad about the green and white combo?!? Black and tan not so bad but would look better with tan top (IMO). The gear change from 3.31 to 3.73 is interesting when trying to mimic an LS6 car. Didnt most LS6 cars come originally equipped with 3.31’s? Im not saying i wouldnt drive it, im just sayin….
$65,300 RNM and the colors have been changed, engine modified, wires in places they shouldn’t be, in-op cowl induction. I’m sure there’s a better one ready to go and unmolested for the same money or less. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have this but methinks it’s not worth anywhere near the bid price. Just my $.02.
One more nit-pick, I’m not sure a dealer would warranty a trans with an M-22 rock-crusher. Maybe a 20, 21 or BW T-10 in ’77.
correct….with 3.31 rear gear it would be the shorter 1st geared M-20 not the tall 1st geared M-22….
White interior is a whole lot cooler on your backside after it’s been sitting in the sun with the top down.. just saying.