When the 454 cubic inch V8 engine arrived in 1970, it was the motor that Chevrolet had offered in a passenger car to date. And a natural home for it was in the Chevelle Super Sport, where it was a popular upgrade to the SS 396. The seller has a 1971 Chevelle SS 454 with some original paint, yet the photos suggest a frame-off restoration, a motor swap, and a possible 15,000 miles. This interesting muscle car find can be found in Louisville, Kentucky, and is available here on eBay, where $43,171 is the current bid, the reserve is unmet, and the cut-to-the-chase price is a cool $60,000. Another great lead from super tipster “Curvette”!
Chevrolet treated the Chevelle to a fairly heavy styling update in 1971, with the most noticeable change being a switch to large single headlights. Coming at you, the car looked a bit like a Chevy Monte Carlo. Sales were off, but the Malibu Sport Coupe saw nearly 190,000 deliveries with a V8 engine. Super Sport-equipped cars in the Chevelle family also saw a big decline to less than 20,000 units (well below half that of the 1970 entries). We understand that 9,500 of the machines were produced with the 454 big block under the hood.
Though the car is alleged to have barely 15,000 miles, the factory V8 is long-gone (the build sheet says a 350). In its place is a built LS7 that is a replica of the 454 (until you see the differences in bling). So, calling it a survivor as the seller does is a stretch, especially since we see a frame photographed separately from the entire automobile. And 70% of the gold paint is said to be original. The Chevelle is well-optioned, including power windows, which I’ve yet to see on one of these Chevies (added later?).
Usually, you would find a black interior in a gold SS, but this one has a buckskin-colored upholstery setup, which may take some getting used to. As was the case in those days, it takes a build sheet or MSRP sticker to confirm the authenticity of a real SS vs. a clone. What’s your take on this Chevelle? Originally an SS 350?
According to the build sheet (if it’s real), this is a SS 350 L-48 car. I would scrutinize this car heavily, as this could be a dupe. As far as the price, $43k is all it’s worth.
Build sheet says M38 3-speed manual transmission and 2.73:1 axle, too. No mention of bucket seats, console, or power windows either.
Always warry of a low milage – full resto – claim….just sayin……
What are those fully-looking pull levers on the RT kick panel?
…an L…?
Those are from the old days before every car came factory equipped with air conditioning. The top handle lets outside air in from the dash vent. The lower handle lets air in from the kick panel vent. There is also a matching pair on the passenger side. Think of it as dual zone outside air. The handle can be also be partially opened to control the volume of air entering the car.
That was called Astro-Ventilation, on Camaros at least…and it is quite effective at keeping the interior livable on non-air-conditioned cars.
My 1971 Chevelle has those pull out levers. They are for fresh air from the kick panels and fresh air from the upper dash vent. They are for non A/C cars. I have had my Chevelle since high school 1989.
Doesn’t look like this column is for an SS from what I can see from the engine bay pic, should have an extra support coupler at rag joint. Closer inspection is for sure recommended.
The 454 production numbers referenced in the write up are AI generated, I wouldn’t trust them. You rarely saw big block equipped 71 and 72 SS’s where I lived, with either the 396/402 or 454. It’s hard to believe nearly half came with the 454. There used to be several websites that gave production numbers by engine, most are now inactive, except for one run by Summit Racing, which showed just over 3,000.
This car has been extensively modified, with bucket seat, console, power windows, power locks, tilt, big block tach, cowl induction and who knows what else. I wouldn’t trust the claimed mileage.
It might be worth the BIN, it’s up to the individual buyer. This is a nice looking car with a lot of good options added during restoration. It should stand and fall on its own merits. I think the way the ad is structured will hinder a sale.
Steve R
Not to mention claiming an “LS7” engine. My limited knowledge knows that the LS7 was for 1970 Corvettes, except that it was never used and had a very high projected price. If you know more, inquiring minds want to know.
The LS7 was available as an over the counter crate engine directly from GM until well into the 1980’s, same with LT1’s and LS6’s.
I worked for an old speed shop about 25 years ago the owner said they would order engines 50 at a time and still had a couple of LS6’s buried in the back of a warehouse at that time. They did the same with Ford FE’s, they had a picture on the back of an old catalog when they did mail order from 1968 with multi carb FE’s stacked to the ceiling on pallet racking. Crate engines were popular with local racers, hot Rodders and boaters.
Steve R
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the 1970-71 Chevelle. I love the front turn indicators of the 1971-72 Chevelle, I also love the rear taillamps of the 1970 Chevelle.
Z15 on the build sheet shows SS. as mentioned above 350 also on the build sheet. 15k original car why was the body pulled off the frame? why is the build sheet set up so it’s hard to read? it’s nice but i feel there is dirty pool going on here
Nice car, nicely done. It’s not an original 454 car, however it is probably nicer than most. A buyer that wants a driver’s car more than an original piece would appreciate it. $60K does seem a bit ambitious though.
Power windows DO EXIST in some Chevelles, just not very often. My 70 SS396 Chevelle was born with them and all 4 window motors are still the original ones. To call this featured one a survivor is a HUGE STRETCH of the definition, especially without the original drivetrain and all the other changes.
My 70 SS396 had power windows well. Forest green, black vinyl top, white SS stripes cowl induction, Muncie 4 speed. Car left my possession with a 427/425. I sold the car in 1976 to a guy in Buckner, MO.
Would love to find it.
@ Poppy…..
M38 is the option code for a T350 trans.
You are 100% correct on that! I was going to make the same comment. Glad someone else was paying attention to the small details.
Thanks for the correction. AI let me down again.
Manifest lists the factory L48. 1971 was the first time since 1965 that the base motor in a Chevelle SS was a small block.
One thing that jumps out at me is the cowl induction hood. This option was not available on any SS 350 car and it’s suspected but not fully proven that 71 and 72 SS cars could only have a factory cowl induction set up with the 454, not the 402. All small block SS Chevelles would definitely have a dome hood without the flapper. I also see what appears to be cracked paint in the black stripe on the hood which indicates and old school lacquer repaint. There’s just too much not lining up with the sellers claim. 71 is the easiest year to clone because of the changes in the VIN identification. I’d be highly suspicious with this one. That build sheet is nearly impossible to read. Buyer, proceed with caution. The thorough inspection is a necessity on this one before purchase.
Nice looking car I don’t know if it’s a trick of the light shadows but the left fender and door have a slightly different shade of paint than the left rear quarter.
Auction ended on 12/17/2025 with a high bid of $45,100, did not meet reserve.
Steve R