There is a problem with the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. Values have climbed steadily recently, putting high-end drivers out of reach for most mere mortals. Enthusiasts must either give up their ownership dreams or settle for something less desirable. However, our featured Chevelle offers a third option. A well-executed Tribute can deliver an equivalent ownership experience, from the looks to the brutal power under the hood, for significantly less. That makes this car an excellent alternative for those willing to compromise, especially since it packs a fresh big-block under the hood. Big thanks to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Chevelle listed here on Craigslist in Arona, Pennsylvania, for $37,000 OBO.
There’s a lot to unpack with this Chevelle, with the listing suggesting it is a recently completed project build. Its Forest Green paint looks flawless, which isn’t surprising given it is fresh. There are no visible chips or scratches, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. Encouragingly, the seller insists the car retains 100% of its original sheet metal, confirming it has never undergone accident or rust repairs. That is a definite positive, because tin worm can be a problem. The contrasting White stripes look as crisp as you’d expect, and the trim and glass are excellent. Rounding out the package is a spotless set of Rally wheels with sparkling centers and trim rings.
The seller listed this Chevelle on behalf of a friend, and I admire their efforts to stay faithful to the original. In 1970, the model designation was the SS 396, which had historically recognized the engine capacity. However, Chevrolet slightly enlarged the big-block’s bore that year, raising the capacity to 402ci. It kept the “396” designation because it enjoyed strong buyer recognition. That said, lifting this Chevelle’s hood reveals a fresh 402, teamed with a four-speed M21 manual transmission, a 12-bolt 3.55 Posi rear end, and power steering. That year’s Sales Brochure states that this combination would have placed 350hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque beneath the driver’s right foot. This motor might top those figures, because it breathes better through headers and a 2½” exhaust. The build included replacing the fuel tank, fuel lines, brakes, and brake lines. The engine bay is spotless, and this beauty appears to be a turnkey proposition.
The owner performed an interior retrim during the build, so the Dark Green upholstery and the carpet are immaculate. The dash looks tidy, but isn’t to the same standard. It isn’t horrendous, but it and the cracked pad are the two weak points. Replacement pads retail for around $520, and reproductions for any items that don’t pass muster during an in-person inspection should be readily available. The Hurst shifter, column-mounted tachometer, and underdash gauge cluster give the interior a purposeful appearance, and the AM radio is the only visible factory option.
I won’t deny that $37,000 is a lot of money to spend on what is undeniably a luxury purchase, but it is considerably less than what you might pay for a genuine 1970 Chevelle SS 396 that presents this nicely. Recent sales results suggest a figure above $70,000, making our featured car look like the bargain of the century. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it walks the walk and talks the talk, doing an admirable job of imitating the genuine article. I suspect it will find a new home fairly quickly, so if the real deal is out of your reach, could this Chevelle be an acceptable substitute?
Unfortunate is the absence of the factory ’69 -’70 5-spoke Kelsey-Hayes SS wheels. For appearance’ sake, the rally wheels are too much of a deviation from the Real McCoy.
Whenever I see a 1970-1972 Chevelle SS clone with the original sweep speedometer I wonder what other corners were cut. They put in the larger radiator, but didn’t replace the top plate, or install a fan shroud. did they enlarge the opening in the radiator support to match the new radiator?
Steve R
Being a 1971 Chevelle owner mine has the basic sweep speedometer too. I also noticed on the Chevelle it has no brake booster and that it was an automatic car with a 3 speed auto. They should at least changed out the steering column. Still it is not a bad looking car. Was it a SS car or did they add all that stuff here. Add the other passenger mirror.
The seller says it’s a clone. No 70-72 SS’s came with a sweep dash cluster, though you could order the optional gauges on non-SS cars.
You are right, it does look good in the pictures, but it needs a thorough in person inspection to see what’s under the shiny paint. Personally, I’d pass at the asking price I’d rather have a Malibu without the SS emblems and stripes or a real SS even if it cost more.
Steve R
Changing the original sweep speedometer takes a lot of effort BUT a set of the right wheels is just 20 lug nuts.
So true, hell I didn’t have the money to buy one in high school and I still owe my car 30 years later, but I went to a junkyard and pulled the correct dashboard and wiring harness and console had a wrecked car and stuff at all in mine and got everything to work. And if anybody asks I tell them it’s a fake I bought the car for $1200 when I was in high school and I’ve been driving it for 30 years, new motor new quarters new everything probably could’ve bought a real one but never had the cash to do it now that I’m adult. I have to pay for my kids college so I’m definitely not gonna do it now.
It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. At least it doesn’t have to be a garage or trailer queen. And I’ll credit the seller for not trying to pass it off as real. Like anyone wouldn’t catch it wasn’t real anyway. A good Chevelle/Malibu body is not easy to find. So I guess it’s worth the asking price.
Yeah it’s definitely a clone, wrong dash and wheels plus you rarely see a bench seat. I bought one ttat color in June of 1972 a week after I graduated high school. 402, 4 speed and had cowl induction hood.
My 70 SS I had back in the day was the same Forest Green with the white SS stripes, black vinyl top, black interior, Cragars. You would think with all the $’s spent on this car they would at least get the correct dash and wheels.
Would rather have a nice Malibu hardtop than yet another fake SS
I keep goin back 3 weeks or so in my mind when the rust bucket convertible was available for a firm 20g’s in Connecticut I think it was here on BF’s. Remember? Seller said “he knew what he had.” This is a nice find by comparison.
Great parts car if you have a basket case SS396 in the shop.
That statement makes absolutely zero sense. Why in the world would someone spend 37K on what appears by be (in spite of all the nitpicking) a well executed tribute car only to use it as a “parts car”? Even if your “basket case” SS was a verified original vehicle, using the parts off this car would not make it correct. I’m pretty certain that one could get a complete drive train for far less than 37K.
Nobody’s going to pay 37K for it.
i will never understand why every Chevelle that’s not an SS has to be an SS. basically this is a malibu and now these are at the point where the average working person can no longer afford these as well. this is not a very good “TRIBUTE” as well. i was an automatic and they left the range selector in. some fool will buy it. i am really losing interest in these cars.
This car will be gone by the end of the week
A bit harsh don’t you think? It’s a nice driver for someone who doesn’t have the deep pockets to buy the real thing. Personally a driver with a few fixable flaws but great bones is the better value for money. All those little flaws can be fixed for a few grand. Plus you can drive it without feeling guilty!
Melton Mooney. It wouldn’t make any sense if it were 17K.
It would if your rusted out basket case 70SS happened to be a factory forest green/green 402/4speed w/o air. Swap the vin, trim tag, add another $1000 for instruments/wiring, and ‘boom’ a 40-50K car for 18K. I know I’m being a smart alec, but even with a color change there many who would jump on it.
I have no problem with a clone as long as the seller discloses that as part of the sale. The dash pad,
wheels and interior trim bits are easy fixes, but I’m not a fan of the tachometer mounted on the steering column. I’d go for a set of Dakota Digital instruments and swap out the carburetor for fuel injection. Otherwise a very nice example. Good luck with the sale.
Gotta agree with the first comment. The Ralleys are nice but an SS, even a clone, doesn’t look right with them. Knockoffs are available that are better than the originals so if you’re cloning, get a set of the original style wheels. Also the cowl hood without the vacuum activated flap doesn’t look right either at first glance. First impressions only happen once! Nice looking car, and not everybody hates clones, most of us can’t afford the authentic ones anyway.
Too bad the builder didn’t take some of the money he put into all the SS emblems and put it towards a dash conversion. The 4 trunk photo’s in the CL ad are a total waste, and speaking of waste, why in the world do we need to see a photo of an apparent urine or other collection bag??? That is just plain gross. EDIT YOUR PHOTOS!!! I thought I’ve seen it all…