If you were to cook up a list of Holy Grail muscle cars, would the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 make the cut? We’re guessing it would, and the seller has a beautiful (though not original) version of the car with the LS5 edition of the powerful motor. We’re told the car has just 52,000 miles but has been restored, at least in terms of the paint and engine. Located with a dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio, this real-deal Super Sport is available here on eBay. The current bid is $64,400, but the seller’s reserve is north of there.
Muscle was still “in” by 1970, but that year is considered by many as the pinnacle of the genre. Chevrolet produced more than 62,000 Chevelles as Super Sports that year, though it was an option and not a separate series as it had been from 1966 to 1968. The all-new SS454 represented just 14% of the total with 4,300 having the LS5 version of the engine – like in the seller’s car. Though not so rare when new, a real (not a clone) SS454 found today (and not in a junkyard) is something you don’t see daily. There are lots of tributes floating around out there.
The seller goes into great detail about this Chevy. Its last owner had it for 38 years and we assume that’s when the 454 was rebuilt and the color changed from Forest Green to Tuxedo Black. While the newer color is perhaps more desirable, that change might not be well-received by buyers looking to buy a documented and real SS. Besides the hot engine, this Chevelle has an M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed manual transmission.
Working in the car’s favor is that its build sheet and Protect-O-Plate from 1970 have survived. And the car is numbers matching, helping to add to its value and desirability. It runs and drives well and the bucket seat interior is in tip-top shape. The cowl induction for the big block works as it should. And the car has a newer Flowmaster exhaust system. This should be a turnkey hot rod that’s ready to be enjoyed for many years to come.
Should be a real fun driver. 3.31 posi was a nice pick by the original owner🏁
The dealer’s description has a lot of mistakes. There have been a lot of modifications done to this car, color swap, intake (probably carb) headers, removal of smog equipment, modified rear suspension (seller says it’s stock), at a minimum. Most of those parts you would have found at the local speed shop in the 1990’s and 2000’s, which is late for a car this rare and valuable to be modified.
I’d also want to go over the car, looking for rust repair, the rear end housing and differential cover show a lot of pitting. I live in California and in the 90’s made a lot of money selling rust free diff covers and other rust free suspension components to people back east, you never saw pitting like this. If those parts had this much rust you can guarantee these weren’t the only components under the car effected.
It looks great, the question is will it hold up to a thorough in person inspection. If it checks out and can be bought at the right price it will be a lot of fun for the next owner, that’s a big if.
Steve R
Wrong exhaust tips, would rather have it with the original color. Buddy of mine in high school had 454 SS in that color. I had a 1969 GTO Judge at that time. Those were good times.
These were best with a 350/4sp. Of course, most cars are best with a healthy stick and a small block. Cheaper/better.
The grill should be black for a super sport!
Yeah^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^what Steve said.
It concerns me a little that the seller has mis-represented the car as all original except paint because as Steve R pointed out, there are quite a few modifications to the car. Now that may be because this is being sold by a dealer, and he just went with what the owner told him, but if they are a serious high-performance dealer, someone should have spotted the discrepancies. Otherwise, this is a pretty nice car, and I am surprised that the original owner specified the M-22 with an LS-5.
The seller never says the car is all original except paint. It is listed as factory correct with original engine, original transmission, original rearend, original build sheet and original protecto plate. Also lists original steering wheel and maybe a few other things as well.
The aluminum intake had me thinking LS6 for a minute but we couldn’t get that lucky.
The seller’s ad says low reserve. I don’t have a clue what this is really worth. But I guess low means different things to different people. I really like reading all the comments from observant and knowledgeable BF readers on high octane stuff like this. It makes me know that I’d want to invest in expert advice before buying a car like this. But with my funds being somewhat limited; I don’t have to worry. Life is good. Still I would sure like to own this and drive it like I stole it. Because that’s the only way I would ever be able to do it.
The correct price has been applied. For someone to believe you will pick this car up for less, needs to check the market place. Current bid validates that point, regardless of negative feedback. Most of the items negatively critique, can be taken care of regarding paint etc.. not a big issue. The 70 Chevelle will always bring high market value..rarity costs!
With all the folks in the know commenting here, i hope this real nice car sells for a reasonable price, with all its perfection flaws in mind.