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Garage Find 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396

It can be a heart-pounding moment when you find even the lowliest of barn finds, so imagine what it had to have been like opening the garage door and finding this Chevelle! It’s not only a cool looking find, but this is a genuine SS396 car. Under all that dust, you’ll find some rust and a few other big issues that will need to be addressed. Even with all of its issues, this one deserves to be restored and put back on the road! So, if you’d love to take it on, be sure to take a closer look at it here on eBay in Tiffin, Ohio with an opening bid price of $17,500.

Once the seller got it out of the garage, they washed it off, which reveals the usual rust issues you’d expect to find on a classic that was put away wet. It’s going to take a lot of work to fix all the rust, but patch panels are readily available, so it won’t be an impossible task to complete. And since the car was repainted red at some point in its past, this will give you an opportunity to return it to its original color.

There’s one other big issue with this Chevelle and that’s the engine. As you can see, it’s not in the car and it doesn’t look to be in very good shape. The seller claims that it is the original engine though, so hopefully, a full rebuild can bring this L34 back to life! The automatic transmission is still in the car, but the seller hasn’t been able to find any identification to verify that it is original to the car. The rear end is believed to be original 12-bolt with the 3.31 gearing.

This one is going to be a big project, but think how sweet it will be when it’s done! Put back to original, this would be one great looking and fun to drive machine. The 350 horsepower big block should be plenty for some smokey burnouts and the Autumn Gold with Black Stripes would make it really stand out! So, would you take this Chevelle on?

Comments

  1. Avatar benjy58

    This will take more than a few patch panels. Save your money.

    Like 16
  2. Avatar Stangalang

    Not as bad as some we’ve seen…and not too bad for a project. But it makes me wonder if cars like this are just moved from one “barn” to another and left for another number of years..just sayin

    Like 12
  3. Avatar Steve R

    If you look at the sellers completed listings, it seems like he’s been selling off the extra parts that might have come with the car.

    Steve R

    Like 15
    • Avatar Rainer

      Steve – the seller is located in Canada, so I believe he is listing this for the owner since the car is in Ohio. And yes, he sells lots of 70 Chevelle parts, but I don’t believe they are off of this car.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar chillywind

    Its a real car with what seems to be all the original parts sans the trans.
    If I lived up in the cold snowy weather I would take a swing at this at 15K. Nice winter or 2 winter project. when its done it will be worth the effort.
    My fav color on these is red and that 396 would not have only 350HP when I was done.
    Good luck to the new owner.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Steve R

      It’s missing more than you think. There is no mention of cylinder heads, intake, carb, distributor, exhaust manifolds or cowl induction parts. It won’t be cheap to get date coded OE pieces.

      Steve R

      Like 7
    • Avatar Bigdave826

      You know it’s not a 396, right? They are actually 402’s. Chevy just decided for some crazy reason to stick with the 396 badges.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Chris M.

        That was in 1971-72 I believe.

        Like 1
  5. Avatar William

    Disassembled pile of rust owner is demanding almost restored price for because something he seen sold on Barrett for $200K…RIDICULOUS!!!..This car will EASILY take 30K to get it 100% correct, now your already at almost 50K!!! Here is a link to one you can turn the key and go AND save about 10G’s

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Chevrolet-Chevelle-SS-396/264548458131?hash=item3d98511e93:g:BmUAAOSwPAld0XY2

    Like 13
    • Avatar mikeyfp

      Absolutely agree! 10G’s less with “buy it now” option but they also have a “make offer” option!……..AND it’s a 4 speed car WITH build sheet!

      Like 5
      • Avatar William

        exactly!

        Like 2
  6. Avatar Charles Spray Jr.

    Restore it and drop in a crate 472 big block.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar John S

    Why buy rust? Yeah it’s a ’70 Chevelle, blah blah blah… this thing’s a heap!

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Dave Tacher

    I love Chevelles but this thing’s a piece of junk.

    Like 6
  9. Avatar mikeyfp

    It’s savable but not at a $17,500 staring point!

    Like 7
  10. Avatar bull

    With SUPER NICE RESTORED 1970 SS L34 Chevelles available at most any collector car auction across the country this car is VASTLY OVERPRICED given the restoration work needed.

    The car is also VASTLY OVERPRICED given the work needed just to make the car an ugly driver!

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Bob McK

    Hopefully the seller will learn a lesson and lower the price a lot!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar TimM

    I totally agree with all of you!!! This thing needs to be put on a rotisserie and all the metal work needs to be done!! Then the frame work who knows what that looks like!!! $17,500 to start with good luck!!!! They say there’s one born every minute but it’s certainly not me!!! It’s not even a 4 speed car!!!! Barrett Jackson and Mecum auctions should not be the bench mark for rusted junk!!!!

    Like 2
  13. Avatar James Fabry

    Whatching to many Barrett Jackson 2.000 at the most.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Del

    Rusted out parts car.

    Seller should be ashamed of the asking price.

    Too bad that we have to review so much crap like this here

    Like 2

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