396/4-Speed: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

Some people will struggle to balance their desire to own a spotless classic car with their inability to tackle a project build. There can be many reasons why such a build isn’t viable, and for those people, vehicles like this immaculate 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 can fill the void in their lives. It features a drivetrain that should offer power to burn, wrapped in a body that is beautiful enough to leave you breathless. If you long for a turn-key classic, you will find the Chevelle located in Cambridge, Minnesota, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $40,000, but this is still short of the reserve.

When we chance across a car like this SS, it is difficult to determine its strongest attribute. It rolled off the Kansas City, Missouri, production line wearing Cranberry Red paint with Black hood and deck stripes. The paint shines magnificently, while the stripes look crisp and clean. The Cranberry paint covers laser-straight panels, with no dings or dents for the buyer to address. The seller doesn’t mention any rust issues with the vehicle’s underside, and the panels look as clean as you could ever hope to find. The hood pins and Cowl Induction hood add a sense of purpose to the appearance, while the trim, chrome, and glass seem flawless. The Chevelle rolls on a set of Cragar wheels that further enhance its muscle credentials. For buyers seeking a more authentic appearance, the owner includes a set of genuine 14″ SS wheels. So, taken at face value, this Chevelle would seem to need nothing.

If there is one downside to this Chevelle, it is that the original big-block is no longer present. However, its place has been taken by a 396 that he says started life in a 1970 Impala. That is the source of some confusion because the ’70 Impala never received the 396 or the slightly enlarged 402ci V8. If the source is as the owner claims, that makes it the 400ci “Turbo-Fire” motor. That would be something for potential buyers to quiz the owner about if they want to clarify the situation. To me, it does look like a 400, but I’m willing to be corrected if I’m wrong on that front. The rest of the drivetrain is numbers-matching and features a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. In the Impala, this V8 would have produced around 265hp, which is a long way short of the original motor’s minimum of 350hp. Whether the engine has received internal upgrades to bridge the gap isn’t clear, but as you will hear from this YouTube video, the engine sounds crisp and clean. The owner says that the Chevelle runs and drives exceptionally well and that he would have no hesitation undertaking a cross-country journey right now.

The interior photos that the seller supplies aren’t the greatest, but they make a positive impression. The car features Black vinyl interior trim, bucket seats, and a console. The upholstered surfaces appear to be in excellent order, with no wear or tears. The interior is consistent because the carpet, dash, and pad are all equally impressive. The buyer won’t need to spend a dime inside this car, and the only aftermarket additions that I can spot are some under-dash gauges and a radio/cassette. It doesn’t look like the dash has been cut to fit this last item, so returning the interior to its stock appearance should be an easy undertaking.

This 1970 Chevelle SS 396 is a turn-key classic that would seem to need nothing. There is a question mark hanging over the engine specifications, but that seems to be one of the few things to criticize. The presentation is spotless, and it appears to be structurally sound. I will be intrigued to see what you make of the motor and whether you might be tempted to pursue this classic further.