Finding a beautifully restored classic car is one thing, but when a fantastic original survivor like this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 pops up, it is enough to take your breath away. This classic has never received any restoration work and remains exactly as it did the day that it rolled off the production line. The owner has made what must have been a heart-wrenching decision to part with this stunning car, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Kingston, Massachusetts, but owning this monster muscle car will come at a price. The owner has set the BIN at $195,000.
It is hard to know where to start with this Classic White Chevelle because it has to rate as an exceptionally well-preserved classic. The owner claims that it is all original, and while the photos aren’t the greatest, I can’t spot any evidence of previous accident damage or restoration work. The original paint looks flawless, with no signs of any chips, scratches, or flaws. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with no dings or dents. The panel gaps are tight and consistent, while the trim and chrome appear to be perfect. The original owner ordered the Chevelle with Soft Ray tinted glass and sports wheels, and these look as immaculate as the rest of the exterior.
The spotless and beautifully-preserved exterior was only the entree with this Chevelle, so it’s time to get to the main course. And what a main course it is! Lurking in the engine bay is a 454ci V8, and this isn’t just any old big-block. This is the LS6 version that pumps out a whopping 450hp. All of those raging stallions find their way through a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission to a 3.31 Posi rear end. Making life a little easier falls to power steering and power front disc brakes. The SS is a muscle car that doesn’t ask for respect. It commands it. Point this at a ¼ mile, and the journey will be a distant memory in 13.7 seconds. Find yourself a straight piece of road and keep the pedal to the metal, and you will find the needle around at 139mph. Those numbers were jaw-dropping in 1970, and they still stand up well 51-years later. The SS is a numbers-matching car, and the drivetrain has never been removed from the vehicle. Apart from the consumables like oils and filters, the only items that have been replaced are the exhaust and fuel pump. However, the owner has retained any removed parts, and they are included in the sale. The car has a genuine 14,614 miles showing on its odometer, so it is no surprise that components like the brakes and shocks have never been touched. Sadly, the owner doesn’t indicate how well the vehicle runs or drives. You would have to think that the news would be positive given the information that he has provided.
The Chevelle’s interior is trimmed in Deluxe Gold cloth, and this is another aspect of the car that grabs your attention. I have been examining this photo carefully to try to determine whether I can see a split in the back of the driver’s seat. If there is, then it is the only flaw inside the car. The rest of the trim is perfect, and the lack of wear on the wheel and the seat edges gels with the mileage claim. Even the carpet is free from wear and fading, which suggests that this is a classic that has been treated with respect. This SS is not a luxury car, so it wasn’t ordered with many creature comforts. However, it does still feature its original pushbutton AM radio, complete with the optional rear speaker. With no air conditioning or other features, it is blindingly obvious that the original owner ordered this car with his mind firmly focused on performance.
I will not try to convince you that this 1970 Chevelle SS 454 is a cheap classic because any car with a six-figure asking price is anything but. The LS6 is a monster of a motor, and it represents a significant part of what makes this car so special. That V8 would have cost the original owner $263.30 in 1970, representing a not-inconsiderable 8% increase over an SS 454 with the less potent LS5 engine. Today, the LS6-engined cars command a premium of more than 80% over the value of the LS5. This Chevelle represents a significant investment, but its price also isn’t unprecedented. It is right at the top end of market values, but its condition, originality, and mileage seem to justify it. I will be interested to see whether someone is willing to hit the BIN button. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do.
Fantastic car and love that it is in white.
I don’t know which is more shocking, the condition or the price!
But then again, when I see a mint Dr. Suess book going for $450 nothing surprises me anymore.
If any of you have a time machine, would you mind swinging by my house and picking me up? I work from home so my schedule is flexible. Thanks in advance.
He will never get that price for that car.
Don’t be so sure of yourself, Ronn. Do your homework before spouting off.
I find it odd that there’s no tach or gauges from the factory: not that every racer wouldn’t have had their own to install, LOL. What an awesome find at an eye watering price! GLWTA.
That’s not unusual for these cars.
Steve R
Yep…anyone who bought one of these with no options would have had their own.
I could easily have my heart wrenched for $195,000 if I owned this gem. Wow! I also did not know the LS6 upgrade was so cheap. Not a bad return on a $263.30 investment.
That 263.30 was on top of the 503.50 for the SS-454 option. There was a few mandatory options you had to buy also like Heavy duty battery and Posi rear axle.
It is a very interesting variant of an LS6 as it was ordered without cowl induction and without the SS stripes. Not many were specified in this manner which makes this one even more unusual
Looks pretty good from what I can see but for someone trying to set up their retirement fund, they sure lack text to fill out the holes on this one. What do you think – price is a factor of 3 or 4 for a car of this condition?
If it’s the dark mark on the driver’s seat back that you’re questioning, I believe that’s a button sewn into the upholstery.
Is the 72 Squire station wagon still available?
Bill Patton
714-321-0000
And you guys get all bent out of shape when people ask for high $ on other cars….HAHAHAHA this is a joke right?
Hmm can it fit in garage near:
Aston Martin?
Steve McQueen Mustang?
Elvis Pickup?
Batmans car
Monkeys Goat ..
I guess i can set McQueen’s under the carport.
Its a real beauty and if the market will bear then sell sell sell baby.
GLWT 👍. ❤️ it
This car doesn’t have the options for it to command such a high price , it has the LS6 454 motor but it is plain jane – no bucket seats , no cowl induction , no SS stripes , no console , no gauges , no tach , crap color interior . Therefore it is waiting for a buyer to over pay what it’s really worth , which is not anywhere near 195k . You can buy a 70 SS with everything it’s lacking except for the low miles and at 100k less . It’s like taking a gal to a prom dance wearing a bath robe instead of a prom dress .
The value of this car is driven by its low mileage survivor status with iron clad documentation, not its options. The enthusiasts that live in that world value cars differently that the typical guy at a local car show. There is a known history of this car, I’m sure it’s on the radar of many collectors. I don’t know what’s it value is, but it’s certainly much higher than a restored car.
Steve R
Hey Steve,
Isn’t this usually the spot where you give your ” there are much better deals out there if you really look” post when someone’s asking 15K for a car.
Instead you save your common sense reasoning for an INSANELY overpriced car. LOL
I love this site
Where else is someone going to find a documented 15,000 mile LS-6 Chevelle?
Most of the cars I make that comment about either are relativity common or interchangeable with a different car. That’s how I approached looking for cars when I first started out in the early-80’s. I couldn’t afford cars like this, I still can’t, but it taught me to shop within my budget and search for the best, most interesting cars I could afford. That opened my eyes, giving me a greater appreciation for makes and models I otherwise would have overlooked. That is something that often seems not to exist on this site.
Steve R
I’d rather my date was wearing a bath robe than a prom dress. If you get what i mean!
Very underrated comment.
Great points and way to put it…of course if my prom date had answered the door in her bathrobe we probably would not have made it to the prom.
Yes this is clean, beautiful and nice.
But way too much of an ask.
Of course if he could throw my old prom date in (without the 45 yrs of aging) I may make him a strong offer.
Unfortunately, the rich guys that got into this hobby strictly for profit, have pretty much destroyed it for the average guy. Most of these guys couldn’t tell a spark plug from a hub cap. They can be seen at B.J. with their expensive clothes, sunglasses and much younger blonde girlie at their side….Am I jealous? just a tad….Have to pass on that plain jane…
what paul m said !! maybe 50 k for this car
Options is one thing and rarity is another.
And genuinely low miles is another. I believe in stupidly low mileage claims like I do the Easter bunnny.
Great analogy!!!
What happened to the huge brown 1 piece front floor mat?
Hard to find new?
Imagine what this would be worth with this kind of mileage if it was a convertible, had a 4 speed, buckets, gages, cowl induction.
Can i assume it was a toss up between this & a factory hemi as to which was the fastest stock car of 1970? I guess it would depend on options – right ones /lowest weight – & driver skills.
I see the air pump & hardware tucked down neat & less visible, unlike on other motors. Wonder why the hemi didn’t need one.
Not necessarily. A properly sorted and driven 70 W-30 would show it’s taillights on any given day. Ask me how I know.
Buick Stage 1’s were known to show it’s taillights to these as well.
No nailhead ever passed one of these when both were stock.
A Stage 1 is not a nailhead. The last nailhead was made in 1966
You can assume but I think you may be surprised.For the fastest stock car for 1970 it was neither one….May need to check out the Buick GS Stage 1….See Motor Trend for that article….They did the testing on these cars in 1970,,,,Neither the LS6 or the Hemi could touch the Buick….I had one and it would kick their but.Most times with the A/C on and the 8 Track jamming!!!!
Must be the torque of the buick 455, not hp.
Funny but that same car ate that Buick’s lunch in the Car Life magazine article. Manufactures had cars that all the magazines would test and you could follow the same car around different testers for various articles. Your Stage 1 might have beet that Ls-6 on Friday but Saturday it was like a lead sled to that LS-6 by a different and more experienced car tester. Lets face it even a cloudy day could change how a car did in the quarter mile.
I always remember the Stage 1 ran a 13.3 as tested by magazines which a incredibly fast but several places I also read that the SS LS6 ran 13.1s.
http://www.streetmusclemag.com/news/musclecarclub-coms-list-of-the-50-fastest-muscle-cars
Price does seem high albeit a seemingly nice car. The no options, odd color combo and low miles helps in some ways but i would guess more in the $100-125k to the right buyer who wants all of that. I disagree that this was ordered with performance solely in mind. I know that I wouldn’t have ordered a 3.31 posi or column shift if that were the case. If the bench was your desire then it shouldve been ordered with a 4 speed (performance minded). I dont mind the white but the gold is a little different. Ive seen this car on display at MCACN before. Not sure what year that was but it had roughly same mileage and Pennsylvania plates on it then. I wanna say within last 5 years but cant be sure. Was a nice car then, i imagine it hasnt changed much. Theres a butt for every seat but to fetch that price it would need to have a drop top IMO. Good luck to both parties.
Yep. Originality is a desirable thing, but much more so with a desirable car. Given color, options, etc. I wouldn’t be interested…
The original owner picked the engine option.
Mom’s choice of exterior color.
Grandma chose the interior…
Cool car, probably someone will hit the buy-it-now just because it ticks the right boxes for them
This car does not need stripes or buckets. It’s amazing with that motor, and authenticity
I’d like to see Patrick Glenn Nichols do a walk-around and review of this car on his YouTube channel. Someone make sure he knows about this car.
I was thinking the same thing. Mr Nichols videos are very informative.
275 miles/year average is like not sleeping with your GF to keep her fresh for the next guy. Sad really.
A friend of mine had a mint condition low-mile SS 454 LS6 in Shadow Gray with a black interior and 4-speed in the late-70s, back when it was basically a nice used car. I’m sure he would have kept it if he would have known that it’d be worth $200k someday.
shelzbot
shelzbot
That engine. Low miles. Yes
Have never seen a column shifted LS6. Beautiful none the less.
But an automatic?? Ugh!!
Very,Very nice and without the Cowl induction hood and stripes what a sleeper. Take those 454 emblems off and put the 396 on in there place and go make some money street racing. There was no W-30 or Stage 1 that could touch a sorted LS-6 back then and even today. You all see the current factory stock racing. You all know what is fastest. If not look it up.That is what the internet is for.
You may need to look it up…Stage 1 Buick kicked but…Maybe you are using Al Gores Web….
Top running Factory RPO Chevelle, the LS6 454 is the undisputed heavyweight champion….
No, I’m not going to sugar coat this oddball as I find myself doing a lot.
For the first ten or fifteen years of its existence it was Mr. 101 leaded premium with a very limited number of interested people, look at him now all 200 thousand dollars worth.
Everything exciting about this SS454 is under the hood. Everything else would work with a 307 version. Sorry.
That seat rip is not a rip it’s a silver button…..my dads 70 SS has those too.
I have old car magazines that show the LS6 outrun the Hemi Cuda and vice-versa,depends on who’s driving and which magazine was doing the testing
dad had 1 of these as the company car for awhile. Every once’n awhile, if not on top of it, a lill chirp leaving the light, he’d give a lill curse (under the breath, silent-like) as the power to weight or rear gear was unforgiving.
Just saw a ’76 Ranchero (sub model Chevelle, titled as Malibu Classic) that floated this ford man’s boat. Pretty sharp (esp the frnt end). This model’s got some of that. Just not enuff. I’d get an earlier than ’70 car if wanting to rep what this wanna B is tryin, or the later if goin 4 the looks (well, like the earlier 4 THAT too). Sorry, shouldn’t say anything – not near the bank for any of these (6 figures).
@chrisful
You wrote: “dad had 1 of these as the company car for awhile. Every once’n awhile, if not on top of it, a lill chirp leaving the light”
Your dad had an LS6 Chevelle as a company car?????
I agree Steve R , that the mileage and documentation is a survivor car , and it is a high point in the value of the car , the real value is in what the car has to offer for what it is , it has nothing to do with enthusiasts or local car show people living in two different worlds . It is a well maintained survivor car ,but the real value is closer to a restored SS with all the options and docs than the plain jane SS . Look at it like this : The glass is only half filled , the car is insanely overpriced for what it is . If it had the real SS options it’s lacking then it could command such a price but it don’t so in the reality world it’s not worth anywhere near the 195k , more like 115k- 120k . I sure most collectors agree they like the motor but, it’s way to high of a price for what the seller is asking . We will see if it sells for that , factoring in someone with more money than brains . That car will always be lacking the growth card -vs- a LS6 with the options and low miles and docs to prove it .
@Terrry
You wrote: “And genuinely low miles is another. I believe in stupidly low mileage claims like I do the Easter bunnny.”
I know that some such cars do exist. I’ve known many people who had them for one reason or another. I’ve done the same thing with several of the Corvettes I had.
However, I kept every piece of paperwork possible relating to the mileage of my cars to verify them. I would never expect anyone to take my word for it. As a result, unless someone has ironclad proof of the mileage of a low-mileage car, I will NOT believe them and will price the car as if it had average mileage.
There seems to be a trend now that many sellers make low-mileage claims but have no proof and expect you just to take their word for it. NEVER!!!!
I’ve owned ultra low mileage cars and cars with less than 10,000 miles. I see other newer low mileage cars crop up from time to time. They are out there.
I have been watching a 1986 Chrysler Town & Country woodie mini-van, a loaded version. It’s parked in a dry single car garage, with only about 8 miles on it, the distance from the dealer to the garage. Still got the paper license plate on the back hatch & paper protective mats on the front floors.
As per a neighbor: Guy bought it for his wife, she refused to drive it. He parked it in the garage, they argued, neither drove it again. Sitting there on 4 flat tires, covered with dust. Not for sale. I have one of my business cards stuck in the driver’s door window frame, so when these 2 obstinate people die, hopefully their heirs will contact me. If I’m still living!
Wassa deal, BF?
The system will let me add a thumb-up for another opinion, but not for Bill’s Comment?
Awesome car, ugly interior, no stripes column shift plain Jane, lotta wood for a car I would hate driving because of the interior
It’s not meant to be comfortable or good looking. It’s made to go in a straight line, a quarter mile at a time.
The 1970 Chevelle was really a good car for around town fun the F-41 suspension had some good parts in it that gave the car some good road fell. Rear sway bar helped. The week link like all cars back then was the tires. F70 X14 was a very small tire for this big of a car.
The original Medium Gold Rivar Cloth in perfect condition makes it even more desirable, genius as does the low content level with bench seat and column shift. This is not the car for you, obviously. Fortunately its uniqueness and elevated price point protects it from those who lack all understanding. Stick with the restorations – you’ll never notice the difference.
Did someone order the Chevy equivalent of a Hemi Road Runner? Sparse options. Bench seat. Automatic ( which made sense with a Torqueflite).
To paraphrase Franklin P. Adams, the rich man has his expensive cars, fine clothes, multiple homes. Would I trade with him? In a heartbeat!!
WHAT – no one mentioned the selling dealer ! That’s a dang good think !
I have never been a matching numbers guy. With the expansion of repro parts out there, couldn’t I build a better car with the same body for half this price? A fuel injected four wheel disc with four link out back and coil over front and rack and pinion 1970 Chevell. I’m now toying with the idea of a Coyote and six speed for my Lincoln and was amazed at the price of the crate with management. Paying that much extra for some nebulous “authenticity” is absurd . Burn the money – you’ll at least get heat from it.
Like a rocket muscle on the outside, but a library inside, with that tannish bench seat! Buckets would lend some more respect to her.
Here is the one I would buy…https://www.rides-autosales.com/vehicle-details/1970-chevrolet-chevelle-ss-ls6-sedan-069836fad4a1ed46a82601dd413b4b00
Yes I would definitely take this over the article car in a “heartbeat” if I had the cash.
This is the ultimate Chevelle LS-6–https://www.showdownauto.com/vehicles/89/1970-chevrolet-chevelle-ls6
After reading all the comments with great interest, I looked on Ebay and clicked the BIN button and amazingly I immediately awoke from my dream! Didn’t even get to test drive it. I’m not in this financial real of muscle cars, but it does seem a tad high in asking price.
Not having the M-22 Rock Crusher and that copper color with cloth interior are two things that would made a difference to some people. The vinyl seats was only $12.65 more on a car that was ordered and worth every penny of it.
Who ever checked the boxes on this monster had one thing in mind- a monster sleeper, all except the M22. The go fast stuff is under the hood,not so everyone with eyes know what ya got. Priced to sell,to someone (maybe), but $195g?
1st Gear calls it out as I see it and many others….it’s a hustler, a near q-ship in the dark the way it looks, quiet exhaust and funny 307 or even 350 badges as someone else already stated would finish the Fast Eddie Felson pool hustler charm. No one suspects it’s loaded with 450 horsepower of big block Chevy and the car is only winning by a bumper,,, mysteriously in each race. The next day everybody who owns a white Chevelle with 307 call outs becomes the target of numerous angry street racers! More BS, but I can see it happening.
Perhaps his guy was on a tight budget when he ordered his SS, by going with the basically stock Chevelle int. he saved money and spent it where it counts on mother of all BBC, well done my man.
Yes the MSRP would have been around $4100.00 for all that fun.Give me one for each day of the week.
To show you the real facts and to set the record straight about all comments and posts , go to the site KEITH posted and go to the link and you can see the real deal . And you don’t have to spend 195k to get a better car . There are low mileage SS LS6 70 Chevelle’s out there . I also agree with what TROY S say’s the RPO 1970 454 LS6 is the undisputed heavyweight king . – Key word there
(RPO) . A W-30 is close contender but, like all races it’s the driver too. The difference of these 2 cars (the 2 Chevelle’s ) is common sense and coin , only a fool would pay 195k for a plain jane , based on the examples to prove the insanely high over priced plain jane . A 1970 SS LS6 Chevelle with all the options , low miles ,plus a M-22, $119k . It’s obvious !! , Look before you leap .
The main reason this car is rare is because no one wanted one back in the day so equipped. rarity does not always equal desirability,,,
I have not seen the engine stamping on this car. How do we know for sure it still carries its original engine? Additionally, I have seen NO proof of the claimed 14,000 miles.
Have we gotten to the point that we would pay this much for a 1970 Chevelle SS without proof of both of these items? Each one carries a tremendous amount of weight in the value of this car.
And even though he may show pics of the engine stamping, it really should be scrutinized and legitimized by http://www.ccas4vettes.com/news.htm This company began by verifying Corvette engines but will do the same thing for any Chevrolet V8. They are the end word on whether an engine is the real deal or a fake. Having a certificate from them confirming the legitimacy of the engine can add thousands to its value and also increase the customer base for it.
This car really needs to have a CCAS affirmation.
Larry the Chevelle was built in 10 different plants and there is no way to do the same thing on the Engine stamping because they all did it different. The Corvette has the luxury of only having one plant for those years so everything is a given and can be documented.
They all used the same basic platform at each plant. CCAS is aware of that and has the necessary information to pertain to whichever plant the car was built it.
Big block Chevrolet engines were built in Tonawanda, NY. So that part of the stamping would be the same no matter where the car was assembled. And even though the “VIN code stamping” may vary from one plant to another, CCAS has the database to account for this and can determine the legitimacy of an engine.
Unfortunately you are wrong they do not have the knowledge or database of all plants other then the Corvette plants. Some Chevelle plants stamped the vin above the oil filter. Even the NCRS allows restamping of the Corvette VIN numbers on date code correct blocks thus the reason for your CCAS to exist. I have a email into them and will forward there replyI have two Big Block Chevrolet cars right now.
Here was there response. We are a Corvette specific service within the 1963 to 1972 window of production.
Not going to work on anything but a Corvette Larry like I said.
The seller seems to have most of the as-delivered documentation that came with the car except no mention of the two sets of original keys. The original water pump./radiator housing has been replaced along with the original exhaust. It’s too bad there were no pictures of the underside rather than all those of the interior. At 14K miles there should be documentation to prove this mileage is correct. There is no mention whether the F70-14s are the original ones either and more decent pictures are needed.
This is probably a very good original, but still should be inspected very closely. I saw a 1970 454 Chevelle Clone at a car show in VA that appeared to have no faults and I think it won it’s class. The owner had a reproduction window sticker on it that looked like the original. This guy had the reproduction sticker showing it had an M21 transmission not realizing you could not get this transmission with a 454 engine in 1970. Otherwise this car was flawless and he had a thick book showing all the work done in the different stages. This car probably was better quality than what a new 1970 Chevelle came with. People need to be careful.
This car is the real deal. It is well known in the world of elite survivors and has a well documented presence. I bought my SS 396 from him – he only buys the best of the original paint best and I ain’t whistling Dixie. Someone who knows what it is will pay the price and dutifully leave it alone. It doesn’t belong in the hands of some d-bag with more money than common sense who lacks the requisite knowledge and deep appreciation, rather the studied preservationist. The very few who really know these cars don’t need convincing. There are plenty other ’70 Chevelles out there for the average know-nothing enthusiast.
You must be referring to the buyers currently being displayed on TV at B.J. high fiving their buddies after paying more than this for a pretty looking resto-mod.
If you watched the BJ auction every LS-6 sold for close and some way over this cars asking price.One car went to 330k with the buyers commission and it was not ragtop. Crazy rich people at this auction.
This was my late father’s car. It is the real deal. I was ten years old when he purchased it. Our family sold the car after his passing.