In 1970, the RPO Z25 option turned an ordinary Malibu into an SS 396 and perhaps 12% of Chevelles were ordered that way. But the numbers are much smaller when you break out just Canadian production, which was about 8% of the total. The seller of this rough ’70 SS 396 says it’s a documented North of the Border car, which would mean it was built in Oshawa, Ontario. Anything is restorable if enough resources are available, and the seller of this car says it needs just about everything. So, it’s not a project for the faint of heart. Currently located outdoors in Toms River, New Jersey, this Fathom Blue Chevy is available here on eBay where the bidding holds at $12,600, waiting for the reserve to be triggered.
RPO Z25 in 1970 got the buyer a “396” Turbo-Jet engine (which was 402 cubic inches, but that’s a story in itself), power-assisted front disc brakes, performance suspension package (option F41), special domed hood, and a Turbo-Hydramatic or 4-speed manual needed to go with it. The drivetrain has been removed and the original engine has been rebuilt, but the 4-speed is a replacement unit. The 12-bolt rear-end is said to be correct for the car, which suggests it may have been replaced, too. But much of the overall car has been disassembled and many of the parts have scattered like the wind.
The seller says a prior restoration attempt may have made things worse rather than better. The car is missing most of the front clip, except for one non-matching fender. We’re told the frame is not rusted but should be taken apart and restored. It’s going to need floor and trunk pans and the rear quarter panels repaired, but some of the pieces needed to fix that will come with the Chevy. The seller says it will need doors, but they look okay. Most of the glass is out of the car and may or may not be around.
Part of the problem buying a car like this is determining what parts are there and what parts are not. That makes the process of sourcing things needed to finish the job a great deal more difficult, and possibly more costly. These are desirable and potentially valuable cars in either great original condition or nicely restored. The viability of a project like this starts with the cost of acquisition. Is this vehicle worth saving or would finding a more complete Chevelle SS 396 be a better starting point?
Nothing incomplete here!
I used to have a vehicle quite similar to this, and still somebody wanted it.
Even made a profit.
This will bring 20 large. Just like useless old Ford Bronco rust buckets, 70 Chevelles are hot, mostly thanks to Patrick Glenn Nichols. I considered a near perfect Cortez Silver 4 speed SS 70 hardtop in 1985, near where this heap is located for $5,000. Passed and bought a rust free 70 GTO in California for $5,500.
The nice thing with the Canadian Chevelle is that you can prove that it is a SS car. Sure is a shame you can not do that in the good old USA. More fakes then real ones in this part of the world.
Isn’t it nice when the market rewards you out of your failed projects lol
“Incomplete” is putting it mildly!
Looks like a parts car to me. Some idiot will surely cash in his Roth account and dive in with a 1-800 build a car catalog…..and get wore out. It will be for sale again with a pile of Year One parts to tempt the next guy. Don’t see it as ever completed.
I mean so what it’s an SS. There are more SS Chevelles than GM made. That being said buy a clean Chevelle and add your touch and you are driving now. Something this far gone isn’t worth the time it will take to complete.