396-375HP? 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

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Yet another SS396 Chevelle? Yes, it is, another 1970 model that’s looking pretty shaky. But the seller claims that this is one of 2,144 built in ’70 with RPO L78 which was a 375 HP, 396 CI V8. Is it? A closer look will tell, please join me. This Chevrolet Chevelle is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $16,650, reserve not yet met.

Chevy’s fabulous L78 engine had been available in the Chevelle since 1966. The problem is, after December of 1965, they stopped advertising it. The obstacle was the lack of ten lbs. of curb weight per gross HP with that engine in a 3,400 lb. Chevelle. The edict came from a GM’s 14th floor and it had an adverse impact on Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. The demand for such a high HP set-up was there, Ford and Plymouth/Dodge didn’t suffer under such limitations, and silly rules put those GM divisions at a marketing disadvantage. The solution was to “absently do wrong and beg for forgiveness later”. And Chevrolet got away with it by simply not advertising the L78’s existence – it sold by word of mouth. For 1970, GM’s 400 CI maximum engine size regulation in anything other than a full-size car was on the way out so Chevy’s new 454 CI was the perfect inclusion for the Chevelle. And since they had gotten away with the L78, they figured they’d pull the same stunt with the LS6, 450 gross HP, 454 engine – build it and they’ll come, just don’t flaunt it. So, to make way for Mr. Big, the L78 was only offered in the ’70 Chevelle from September through November of ’69 and then replaced in December with the LS6. That’s the reason for the fairly low L78 production volume of only 2,144 copies, a number that had been 9,400 with the ’69 Chevelle.

So, how do we know if this Chevelle is ‘da real ting? It points in the right direction (yes, I’m hedging my answer). The build sheet shows the L78 option, and the six-digit sequence number on that sheet is what the seller claims is the sequence number of the VIN, though the VIN tag is not revealed.  The seller states the engine alpha is CKO, which is correct for the L78, and the actual image of the engine number pad conveys that.

You cannot really tell, for certain, by looking at the engine. The valve covers are non-OEM but the intake manifold does appear to be the original Chevrolet/Winters cast item. A Holley carburetor is correct too but the part number would need to be revealed to determine authenticity – and those are often swapped, especially with the passage of a half-century. The real differences are inside where the L78 has much larger, square cylinder head intake ports, larger valves, four-bolt main bearing caps, a forged crankshaft and rods, and a mechanical lifter camshaft. Both the block and heads should be stamped with “HI-PERF” instead of “PASS” but those items are not revealed. The block casting number referenced is sort of correct as Chevrolet used “3963854” on both two and four-bolt main cap blocks in ’70.  The Muncie M21 four-speed transmission is fairly standard with this engine though an automatic was available too.

The exterior of this Chevelle appears as so many from this era do, it’s rusty! There’s a bit of rot everywhere and in some difficult-to-fix places. The vinyl top covering has been removed and unfortunately, years of trapped moisture has done what it does best, caused a corroded mess. The lower fender legs and quarters are pretty well eaten away too, a very typical problem with ’68-’72 GM A-Bodies. Curiously, the SS Magnum wheels look new and the seller advises that they have been repainted and are now shod with new (and expensive!) BFG Radial T/A tires. It’s a nice touch but it’s sort of like buying a brand new $300 pair of Allen Edmonds shoes and wearing them with a 20-year-old, thread-bare suit.

As for the interior, the most obvious feature is the continuation of the rust saga. The floors are shot, not that unexpected with the exterior in as deleterious shape as it is. According to the build sheet, there was a center console originally installed, it’s probably lost to the ages now. The seats, headliner, and door cards are in rough condition too. The soft stuff is all available from an online catalog, as are the floor pans, but those are a bit more difficult to straighten out.

So, verdict time, is it real? I’d say so, I only hesitate because there has been so much chicanery with cars of this nature i.e. representing them, sometimes cleverly, as something that they’re not. Some go to extreme lengths to do that but I’m not suggesting that’s the case here. Assuming that this Chevelle is a genuine L78 equipped version, it will bring a very strong price when restored. But that’s the $64,000 question (and hopefully not the price of repair), what’s the reserve, and what will it take to turn this 1970 Chevelle SS around?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Gary Rhodes

    Wow, this has to be worth $75k if it’s worth a penny

    Like 3
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    I’m voting for the penny. Take the running gear and run.

    Like 13
    • piston poney

      and the hood, real cowl hoods are stupid money

      Like 5
  3. Big_FunMember

    As I write this, the reserve it met, and bidding is at $24 large…
    I know there are items specific to the 375hp, some of them discussed in the write up.
    A few items that I see – none to set up red flags, just questions. Keep in mind that both items were available as genuine Chevrolet accessories. 1. Rear defogger in back window, switch is in the dash of the left of the radio volume knob. 2. The radio – am/fm, with a fader and rear speaker. The speaker grill is GM, but not correct for the ’70.
    These are not listed on the build sheet. I’m sure I’m missing more details, as I’m into the big B bodies.
    Options can be added, as with any car, just unusual for such a hi-po model.
    FM and a rear speaker are nice upgrades for cruising. And, when you’re bruising, you can’t see the headlights getting smaller, or flashing lights getting closer very well if your back window is frosty…

    Like 3
  4. Terrry

    What we have here is a hopelessly rusty container for a possibly valuable 396-if it runs.

    Like 6
  5. erik j

    We all have seen way worse rust buckets.The fact that it appears to be a real L78 thats still orig. I hope the right buyer comes into the sale. Its so cool to see a car like this thats saved.

    Like 5
    • Bick Banter

      An L78 ’70 is probably alpha enough to get a big money restoration. But at the end of the day, it’s gonna have more foreign resto part content than you would think and It won’t be all that original. But somebody will pay big and end up in the 6 figures when all is said and done. Not for the light of wallet this one.

      Like 5
  6. ChevelleSS

    A moment of silence for this red warrior………rusting in peace. It will take another solid donor to make sense of a resto on this one. Is the frame still solid? Better look! Nevertheless, is is a real L78 SS?, I would say 100% yes. Interestingly it was built to live in the rust belt with that rear defogger which is not a common option, but also to terrorize the boulevard with that L78 engine twisting a 4:10 rear! Obviously run in the salt and snow. Yikes!
    The build sheet says AM radio yet there’s a stereo dash pad, so some shenanigans have occurred, but not a big deal or a deal breaker. Stripes are wrong – spaced to wide and taper toward the front and the outer corners were not squared off, so it’s had a (sloppy?) re-spray in it’s past.
    Kudos to whomever wins this auction. It’s a rare beast and deserves to be returned to it’s former glory – without all the holes. Good Luck!

    Like 6
  7. Don Eladio

    Excellent car, worth restoring…if you can afford to do it correctly.I am not a Chevy guy but, this is one I would own.

    Like 1
  8. fran

    I grew up with this car being the hottest type around. I have thought I would like to own one, just a nice driver quality that is correct. I look at them on line, but every time I see one in person, I loose interest, something about them I feel makes them look bla! Plus they are very overpriced as they made sooooo many! Same with the Olds, Buick, Pontiac versions. They can be cool also, and I wonder if I would get the “bla” “overpriced” effect with the others.

    Like 1
  9. MJF

    Looks like a health hazard

    Like 1
  10. James Bishop

    The car seems like it’s legit , but it will be a expensive legit . Still need to check the frame issue and a few other numbers to be sure . The way it seems and looks could run to restore it correctly is high -around 65k-75k or more. Deep pocket division.

    Like 0
  11. Tbone

    Looks like a tetanus shot should be a priority for the next owner.

    Like 2
  12. Gizmo30

    I had both an LS6 coupe & a 396 el Camino. If it was closer to me I’d sure take a hard look at it.

    Like 0
  13. george mattar

    Before anyone dumps several years of mortgage payments into this, he should have Patrick Glenn Nichols look it over. Build sheet seems legit, but in the 80s, some scumbag Corvette sellers were making fake tank stickers, soaking them with wet coffee grinds and putting in a microwave to make them appear legit. A lot of idiots out of there. Buyer beware. If this is real, it is a find. Too much money for me.

    Like 2

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