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Real Deal Survivor? 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Whenever a 1970-ish Chevelle SS 396 pops up for sale, the first question usually revolves around whether it’s authentic or a clone. Because RPO Z25 was an option on the Malibu, it’s hard to settle this debate without a build sheet or MSRP sticker. This nice ’70 SS 396 looks like the real deal, but the seller doesn’t engage in any “what ifs”. Located in Alpine, Alabama, this sweet-looking Chevy is available here on craigslist for $32,500 OBO.
Chevy gave the mid-size Chevelle a styling refresh in 1970 and the car continued to sell well, especially the Malibu Sport Coupe. When you ordered the SS 396 package, you got a 402 cubic inches V8 even though the car was still marketed as the 396. Two horsepower outputs were available, either 350 or 375. For those who wanted even more muscle, a new 454 engine was available, the largest ever offered by Chevrolet. The seller’s version has a TH-400 automatic transmission though the 4-speed manual was quite popular.
If the seller’s automobile is a real SS, it’s one of more than 53,000 that were so equipped, before the muscle car market segment would begin its downward spiral in the 1970s. The overall condition of this car is quite good, especially since the odometer is coming close to turning over. No mention is made of a repaint or any interior work, and the black vinyl roof covering looks stout. The Champagne Gold paint is nice and shiny, but the lighting in some of the photos hints at light grey primer in spots.
We’re told that the muscle machine runs and drives as it should with no issues. And we assume the factory air conditioning blows nice and cold. The seller indicates that delivery is available, something you see more often with dealers rather than private sellers. And no trades will be considered. But you will have to get a new spare tire — this one is down to the threads! What’s your take on the car? Is this a real SS or a well-done earlier clone?
Comments
Well, it doesn’t have the SS hood for starters. It should have wide black stripes.
Stripes were an option.
At this price it should be gone.
Whether it’s a clone or not.
Bully, it would be interesting to see if the seller is taking deposits. If so, how many.
Steve R
Terry, I’m not going to jump into the “is it or is it not” thing, because without getting up close and personal with the car, it’s impossible to know. What I will do is offer some insight on your comments. The “raised” hood was an option in ’70, as were the stripes.
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Charles,
The raised hood came with the SS option code. The stripes were the add or delete option.
As Billy mentioned, the “raised hood” or domed hood was standard equipment when ordering the SS package . The ZL2 option brought the actual cowl induction hood, with the functioning cold air induction.
The opening cowl flap was an option.
The RPO D88 stripes were included when option RPO ZL2 Cowl Induction was ordered. This car doesn’t have the stripes, hood pins or cowl induction.
This has the standard SS396 dash, the circle speedometer without gauges. I think only about 22% of the SS ordered had the factory gauges. If someone where to clone a Malibu and replace the sweep speedometer dash, one would think they would add the tach and gauges. A quick look at underneath would also help, with lower plates on the rear control arms to verify.
A better indication than the boxed lower control arms would be the steering shaft…
what is different on the steering shaft?
Look again! It has an SS hood!
Pretty sweet car, picking it apart at $32500 or OBO just shows who’s commenting. It’s 54 years old and in very nice shape, if you want a nice muscle car? Here it is …. Offer $30,000 or $29500 who knows.
Could not agree more.
My sister,she was a gearhead, had a 70 Chevelle SS and it was autumn gold stripe delete 4 speed with the 402 that was advertised a 396. Great car
Yup. 400 BB is left to be a 396 on the car and 400 on the truck. 402 either way.
If it’s too good to be true…sold on BAT for 62K. I think whoever bought it for that price got a great deal. You will never see a 70 SS like this for 32k again.
I can tell you for a fact it’s not a clone. Not all ss had a functioning hood. Not all had stripes. Some buyers didn’t want the stripes but I personally like them. You can always have it stripped
Without the build sheet (even those can and have been faked) and an informed in-person inspection that’s a pretty bold statement that “I can tell you for a fact it’s not a clone.” It likely is a real car, but documentation is a must.
The seller states that the it has a replacement engine, yet no mention of that in this write-up.
I’m sure that will bring the value down, even if it is a true SS. I’m not sure what the value of these are with a non-original engine.
He has the original block… How is this thing still not sold?
The price on this car seems almost too good to be true. Maybe I’m just used to seeing dealers asking $80k for any vintage muscle. @Big_Fun I like your deduction on why you think this is a real SS. If it was within driving range of me ( I’m in Seattle) I would be looking at it today with money in hand. Somebody on here needs to check this out.
Given the original spare tire and wheel in the trunk, along with gauges and some other signs, it leads me to believe it is a real SS. At this price doesn’t matter that much.
Cars in Alabama not too close to Seattle
If this is a legit listing and a real SS, NOM or not, this Chevelle won’t last long. Sans stripes, gold and black, looks clean.
I bought a brand new 1971 Chevelle SS 454 in1971, LS5 motor, automatic, white with a black vinyl top came with no stripes
Wouldn’t an SS have a unique model number on the trim tag or in the VIN?
Not after 1968.
Thanks. That’s what I wanted to know.
Be nice, I’m an old lady now. I grew up in a GM dealer family, didn’t really pay attention to it until I was 10yo. The ordering process was very different from today. If you had a customer that wanted something special and he had read the brochure, spoke with his salesman and figured a price point way to stay out from the Insurance rates of the time, a salesman would stand on his head to get an order in. This sounds like a special order, well calculated and “fly under the radar” purchase made by a knowledgeable customer. My father and his father before him ran a very small town Chevy-Olds dealership from 1932-1979. Yes I eventually skipped college and learned all I could about cars, numbers, hot rodding etc. Best memory was when we would open the new model brochures each year early Sept. 1969 I was hooked when I saw the front of the 1970 Chevelle brochure. Another kid became a gear head.
Hey lady and gentlemen. I’ve owned 3 of these cars.
Approaching the 70’s these Chevelles took on a life of their own. GM made a decision to throw themselves into a lucrative marketplace. And, did they ever. These cars are as close to buying a quarter mile strip car from a dealer our world has ever seen.
It shall never return.
Not in the way that most of us “older” crowd sees it.
How many manufacturers are offering big cast iron blocks for engines?
You don’t have to answer that.
Let me say this..this car deserves no scrutiny. No hesitation. No dawdle.
Buy the car. It’s a momentum of the past.
Good luck ya’all.
Billy
I agree, especially at this price.
Billy, someone took your advice because the ad has been deleted.
It took longer than I expected. Surprised it lasted as long as it did.
Cheers to the new owner.