Have you ever wondered whether any car can be too good to be true? I know I have over many decades of involvement in the classic scene. That brings us to this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 and the claims made about it. The SS presents beautifully, and the odometer reading of 66,000 genuine miles is documented. However, I have trouble believing it is an original and unrestored classic because some things don’t add up. I lean towards the theory that someone treated it to a meticulous restoration and has seen little action since. The Chevelle is listed here on eBay in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $69,500.
Chevrolet introduced its Second Generation Chevelle in 1968, with the model gracing showrooms until 1972. Our feature car rolled off the line halfway through the production cycle, with its original owner of twenty-one years ordering it in Green Mist Metallic with a Dark Green vinyl top. The seller admits the car underwent a repaint at some point but doesn’t indicate when. It presents superbly, with no significant flaws or defects. The sheetmetal is said to be 100% original, and some items carry stampings that verify this. The underside shots also confirm that this car is as rust-free and solid as the day it drove off the lot. The trunk pan is spotless, while the chrome, stripes, glass, and Rally II wheels show no signs of problems. The news looks so positive, but one glaring issue leaves me scratching my head. This classic has over five decades and 66,000 miles under its belt. Therefore, it would be fair to expect its mechanical components to show wear and tear. The seller claims that many of the parts still feature their original tags from the factory, and they are visible on many suspension components and the rear axle housing. However, these are in as-new condition, suggesting that the 66,000 miles have been clocked exclusively on carpet or that this SS has undergone a meticulous restoration.
If the Chevelle’s exterior makes a positive impression, its Green vinyl interior continues that trend. I’ve scrutinized the photos seeking something to criticize, and all I’ve managed to do is draw a blank. The upholstered surfaces are in as-new condition, as are the carpet, console, and dash. The pad shows no signs of UV damage and no cracks or wear on the wheel. I’m trying to avoid terms like “perfect” in my description, and I will do so by saying this interior wouldn’t look out of place on a showroom floor. Life aboard this classic should be pleasant courtesy of the factory air conditioning and AM/FM radio.
When is a 396ci V8 not a 396ci V8? It is when it is the engine found under the hood of the 1970 Chevelle SS 396. The badge had strong customer recognition, but a slight bore increase saw the big-block’s capacity climb to 402ci from 1970. Chevrolet saw no reason to change a winning formula, so it continued to refer to this engine as a 396. This one sends 350hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. The SS 396 is a muscle car, and its performance figures leave no doubt. It can scorch the ¼-mile in 14.8 seconds, while the needle will hover at 130mph if the driver keeps the pedal to the metal. This Chevelle is a numbers-matching classic with a known and documented history. The odometer reading is verified, and it is a turnkey proposition in sound mechanical health. Those wishing for paperwork will be satisfied by the inclusion of the original Window Sticker, Owners Manual, Warranty Card, Protect-O-Plate, list of casting and part numbers, and previous sales receipts.
So, what are your thoughts? Is this 1970 Chevelle SS 396 a genuine and unmolested survivor, or has someone treated it to a meticulous restoration? Regardless of the truth, it remains a desirable classic that has generated significant interest. It has attracted fifty-four bids, confirming that people like what they see. The question is, do you like it enough to join the bidding war?
Beautiful, but it appears that the seller omitted the “restored to original “ instead of calling it original.
Pretty obvious it’s been restored to factory specs…
I always amazes me that a big block chevelle is actually slower than a 2009 Ford Fiesta ST. Then again I would never drive a Ford Fiesta so.. this car is clearly no survivor but it is a really nice restoration.
What would the Ford Fiesta ST run if it weighed 4000 lbs??
My 70 Chevelle with a stock 400 small block with 9 to 1 comp and a small hydralic cam, four barrel carb and aluminum intake, headers , 3:55 gear weighing in at 3450 lbs. Ran a best of 12.79 uncapped with slicks @103 mph.
Had a chance many years ago to buy a similar chevelle. I thought it was to much green so i passed on it. Fast forward 30 years and i now have a 1979 Bronco that is green on green. Go Figure !
This is a very nice car & color and maybe a little rare nowadays ?! And if original equipment then worth the noted $ that You have in this article plus some$$+?! The wheels as you say Rally are not; they’re SS wheels! And in case You may or may not know ?; the VIN # s tell if real SS or not by 1 st 3 digits in vin sequence ;i e; 136 is Chevelle Base trim Malibu’s ?!; & 138’s are real SS cars from what I ‘ve learned over the years having owned a 70SS myself! Most common 1 s t 3 colors on these cars that I’ve learned by Chevelle int. sites & seeing in person is ;Red /Black ; All Black & Dark & Light/ med Blue ?!
Wrong Norm,
You need either the build sheet or the origional window sticker to prove it’s a “SS”…there are more “SS” cars running around than were built!!
I have 70 Chevelle SS without a build sheet. However, I do have the next best item, which is the L code on the firewall. If you are familiar with the L code which signifies the car was built in the KS plant, and only SS Chevelles rolled out of this plant, and is accepted by the industry as a true SS, that would be the next best thing to having a true build sheet.
Agreed with Edsel
Nice 402 olive 🍸
Sorry Norm you are incorrect in the Vin# declaring a true SS car. That stopped in 1968. 1969 & 1970 Chevelle’s are hard to authenticate without built sheets
and other dealer papers. That has been known for decades in the antique car
buying and selling…
Huh? Please explain the letters you mixed in with your numbers. Thanks.
Really nice restored to original SS 396. Too bad all you can do with it is look at it! The value is in its restored condition. Once you drive it down that value goes. Don’t think you could ever keep it that clean. Really nice professional restoration though
Really nice restored to original SS 396. Too bad all you can do with it is look at it! The value is in its restored condition. Once you drive it, down that value goes. Don’t think you could ever keep it that clean. Really nice professional restoration though.
No way with my cash ….car is no way worth 70 large……too many unanswered questions….even with a close up inspection….also, that particular car would never turn 14.8 in the quarter with AC on board, smog pump (if there, and operational) automatic trans. power steering, and most likely a 3:31 axle ratio……I don’t know where they get these #’s, but they’re way off………
Wow! OK. What is next? The tires aren’t 54 years old?
Geez, torque ’em off! Then put some road tires on those original SS rims.
Happy days, my friend!
P.S. Looks like an overpriced “Smokey Mountains Traders” car out of Tennessee..
Similar presentation, but they are about 100 miles from each other.
I have 70 Chevelle SS without a build sheet. However, I do have the next best item, which is the L code on the firewall. If you are familiar with the L code which signifies the car was built in the KS plant, and only SS Chevelles rolled out of this plant, and is accepted by the industry as a true SS, that would be the next best thing to having a true build sheet.
Didn’t the SS model have hood pins? That’s not a criticism. I was curious if they were an option or standard equipment. I think it looks better without them. It’s a great looking car.
If the cowl induction hood was ordered, hood pins and stripes were automatically added unless the buyer chose to delete them. The standard cowl hood did not automatically come with them. However, due to their popularity, many buyers had hood pins dealer installed or the dealers did it on their own to sell the car.
Hey Nick, if my memory serves me correct, I thought, by my paperwork, that the cowl induction hood was introduced in 1970.
Just a thought…….
Have 2.
I had a 70…It did not have the hood pins,…but some did,…and it was original…..I got it in the fall of 71, with I think about 13,000 miles…..Mine was Mint Green,….if that one is Mint Green.
I am all in with the market, this big block Chevelle is really nice, trim and code nitpicking aside , it’s just a 396 Chevelle. Special engine? No, interesting ownership or race history? No, restoration costs aside, I look at comparables across the board at this price point, because it is an ” investment” at this dollar level, on the watch list, we will see.
Everything this dealership sells is “high end”…for whatever reason……
Gosh, that’s a beautiful car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in this color green. Too bad about the slushbox, and the price is way out of my league. But if someone handed me the keys, I sure as heck wouldn’t kick it out of my garage! Such a sweet car, but something I never understood was how the Chevelle sells for such ridiculous money but you can buy a C3 Stingray that’ll run circles around it for half the price. But to each his own, I guess.
The color on this car was a pretty popular hue.
Have a friend that ordered his this color from the dealership I worked at. Minus the vinyl. Gorgeous car. He elected to go with the 454 Muncie 4sp. Hauled ass. Miss those days, sometimes. He carried extra tires in the trunk. And man, he needed them.
The ad now says “totally restored to original condition”…
Pretty enough to put in a book. Another something for everyone kind of car. 350 hp meant you could have factory air and automatic for those who just didn’t want to shift.
Love the green on green. Practically everything is black inside today. I often wonder if anyone would rush out to buy a new car if color was available again. Please feel free to give reasons why not.
$73k now. The market has spoken, you guys still have a shot.
The market ALWAYS has the last day! Regardless of the naysayers who want to predict the muscle car era is over for what ever reason they can dream of, this market will NEVER go to the wayside for electric or plastic cars with the pretend exhaust cd in the dash!
Hey guys. I just looked through all of the pictures on the ebay site. Quick question. Didn’t the in-dash tachometer come with the SS package? It did on my 72 SS. PLEASE INFORM.
Hey guys. I just looked through all of the pictures on the ebay site. Quick question. Didn’t the in-dash tachometer come with the SS package? It did on my 72 SS. PLEASE INFORM.
Common practice at GM was to offer an optional gauge package even on SS, GTO, etc.
OK, thanks Nelson C.
RPO U14 was the optional instrumentation that included the tach.
RPO U14 was the optional instrumentation that included the tach. Your 72 was ordered with that option.
Thanks man.
Auto Center a whole sell auto seller and broker in Memphis had a gorgeous 72 powder blue Chevelle SS Cov with a white top and white interior for 22k. I’ve never forgot that car. I knew it was a good deal then and as close as I’d ever come to being able to afford such a car. I wonder what it’s worth today.
The car I was talking about was for sell in 2002 not Oct 7 2023.