The Malibu-based Chevelle Super Sport was still at the top of the muscle car game in 1970. A hot new engine was added to the mix, a 454 cubic inch V8 that accounted for 14% of SS production that year, the remainder being the venerable SS 396 (which was now 402 CI to perhaps confuse the insurance underwriters). We’re told the seller’s freshly painted car is an SS, but it has no engine or paperwork to prove it’s not a clone. This rolling project is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $15,000 (no reserve).
Verifying whether a 1970 Chevelle is an SS takes paperwork, as the VIN doesn’t do anything but confirm if a car started as a Malibu Sport Coupe. The SS 396 was only a separate series with its own VIN from 1966 to 1968. After that, they reverted to option status even though sales continued to be strong. On the other hand, the Pontiac GTO kept its separate status through 1971 (even though sales were falling fast).
As a dealer is involved in the sale of this Chevy, not much in the way of history is provided. While we know the transmission is a TH-400 automatic, we don’t know if this Chevelle was an SS 396, SS 454, or something else. The stripes and badging suggest an SS, but they’re easy to come by. What you see is what you get, so the front clip is incomplete, and there is no interior except the shell of a dashboard. All the glass is there, but no windshield.
We don’t know if any rust was repaired before shiny black paint was applied, and just because this was a “solid southern car” is no guarantee. Per the seller, you won’t need to go in search for a wiring harness. The end result is you can do practically anything you want with the Chevelle at this stage, maybe source a period-correct big block, or go the restomod route.
does have the SS dash but that can be changed out as well , be a cool car done
It’s a clean slate to do with as you please.
But you’re talking big money to get it where you want it. I’d definitely want to see it up close before I laid down $15000 and quite honestly I’d feel better at $10,000.
It could turn into a real beauty with enough money and elbow grease.
What evidence is there that this is a real SS? Neither the VIN tag nor the data plate have any information that can verify it’s an SS, the only way is through the original drivetrain or original paperwork, which aren’t present with this car. These are easy to clone and the financial reward for doing so is not insignificant.
I have a complete floor shift Chevelle tach and gauge dash assembly with wiring harness on a shelf in a spare bedroom. Within the last year I bought a couple of floor shift steering columns at swapmeets one for a 4spd for $40, the other for an automatic for $100. I have them because I like those features on cars, if I ever use them they will go on a car without any emblems so there would be no way to mistake it as a clone.
This could be real, but how will anyone ever know? Unfortunately, this is one of the many muscle cars that are tainted by the large quantity of clones.
Steve R
Could be a real SS but also could be a clone. Has a real SS dash and it’s not brand new, but if course that could be purchased at a swap meet. It’s highly doubtful that it was a 454 car like the fender emblems suggest. But there are a few questions about what is there that could help with the cars identity. Like what rear is in the car 10 or 12 bolt, what about the trailing arms, boxed or unboxed? But I do wonder about the bodywork before the paint. The floorpan looks solid and original, but the entire trunk pan is a reproduction piece as you can see the remnants of the sticker in the middle, so what do the wheelhouses and the lower quarter panels look like under all that shiny paint?
Too expensive for a maybe. Could be a great car, could be a bust.
Column shifted 396 and 3.31 gear ⚙️ would be nice. 👍🏁
Ton of work. Ton of money. In 10 years, very few people will want muscle cars.
Ten years isn’t that far away. If you don’t want your muscle cars in 10 years look me up. I’ll take them off your hands. By the way my son and all his friends who are all in their early 20’s absolutely love muscle cars. Because today’s cars have no style. My son owns a 1970 Chevelle SS tribute. I say tribute not clone because it’s powered by a fuel injected 350 small block.
The oldies w new motor and better brakes/suspension have always appealed to me Mark. Sounds like the kid has a cool Chevy 😎 👍