Although some enthusiasts aren’t fans of big-block V8s, it is undeniable that they typically generate enough power and torque to guarantee an effortless driving experience. That is undoubtedly the case with this 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which is the SS 454 variant. It presents well, with the seller describing it as a nice cruiser. It is a turnkey proposition that would look good parked in any driveway or garage. The seller has listed the SS here on eBay in Glendale, Arizona. They set their BIN at $34,000, and there is still time for interested parties to get their financial ducks in a row if they wish to pursue it further.
Ford created the Personal Luxury Car market segment in the 1950s with the Thunderbird. General Motors replied with cars like the Buick Riviera, but it took until 1970 for Chevrolet to join the party with the Monte Carlo. The badge evolved over four generations from 1970 until 1988. Following a sabbatical, the Monte Carlo returned in 1995, soldiering on until Chevrolet retired it in 2007. Our feature car is a first-year example finished in Mulsanne Blue. The seller’s information is limited, making it unclear whether this SS is a genuine survivor. However, the paint shines nicely, the panels are straight, and the underside shots reveal floors as solid as you would rightly expect from any classic in a dry location. The trim and glass are in good order, and the 15″ Rally wheels are wrapped in Nitto NT555R tires.
The Monte Carlo’s Personal Luxury Car leanings are easily identified when we examine its interior. Bucket seats, a console, and acres of woodgrain are all hallmarks of cars of this type from this era. As with the exterior, there is little about this interior deserving criticism. The Black vinyl is in good condition, the carpet is excellent, and the dash and pad haven’t surrendered to the Arizona sun. Some changes may not appeal to purists. These include an aftermarket stereo with Rockford Fosgate speakers and a Dakota Digital dash cluster. However, if viewed purely as a driver-grade vehicle, these are acceptable.
Buying a 1970 Monte Carlo brought a V8 as the default powerplant. The company’s venerable 350ci small-block was the entry-level motor, but, from there, the sky was the limit. This SS features a 454ci brute that sports some obvious upgrades. It would have produced 360hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque when it was shiny and new, but improved breathing may have unleashed some additional power. A three-speed automatic sends the muscle to a 12-bolt 3.31 Posi rear end, while the steering and front disc brakes benefit from power assistance. Potential buyers can consider this SS a turnkey proposition. The seller slips behind the wheel a few times each month, focusing on displaying this classic at shows and other events. The buyer could continue that trend, or skip the show circuit entirely for a spot of relaxed open-road cruising.
There are plenty of reasons why you should buy this 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454, and I am trying to think of a single compelling reason why you shouldn’t. So far, I’ve come up empty-handed, although enthusiasts craving complete originality might point to its minor upgrades as factors worth considering. However, if someone seeks a high-end driver that they can enjoy in the fashion that any classic deserves, this SS could be ideal. After all, isn’t enjoyment the primary reason why we park a classic in our garage?
Nice car. Wouldn’t touch a thing except get the car out of the stratosphere so you could get it around a corner without dumping it on it’s side. Good to see a car like this in this good condition.
I love the first gen Monte Carlo – particularly ones with a big block. I owned a few. But I never understood the “personal luxury” label when it has no power windows, air conditioning, tilt wheel, etc.
& when they now add flowmaster mufflers & ditch what these most likely came with back in the day – whitewalls & full wheel covers – as shown in magazine ads for this car.
Flowmasters are one of the two best aftermarket mufflers out there. We have a race car that runs a 16 to 1 compression ratio engine and without the muffler hits 116 db, too high for some race tracks. Flowmaster came up with a muffler that brought the noise level down to 96 db and gave us 4 more horsepower to boot.
I would think that even ’70 monte SS 454s came from the factory with fairly quiet mufflers, since it was a lux car sold to older men.
Even my ’74 firebird 400 was too quiet with factory dual exhaust & big sideways muffler. & is almost as quiet now with a couple of non stainless steel turbo mufflers that speedy muffler of all places put on 35 yrs ago that refuse to rust out! lol At least i can hear the tunes real good.
Very nice for the price. Even nicer if there was a way to confirm it’s a real SS.
There are ways to verify if it is a real SS454.
1. The body tag should have the “Z20” code stamped on it, or if the car was built in Kansas City will have an “L” below the paint code.
2. The VIN should match the engine serial number. The 6 digit serial numb stamped on the transmission should match the VIN, and the transmission tag should have “70R” to designate it was for the 454 engine.
3. All SS454 cars had automatic level control, with a compressor under the hood, leveling valve mounted on rear, and air shocks on rear.
4. Protect-O-Plate will have a “CRN” stamped on it with a the matching VIN number on the plate.
Unfortunately no photos of any of these identifying items to verify if this is a real 1970 Monte Carlo SS454.
Great car for red light racing. I’ve always wondered. Will the trunk lid interchange with a 70 Malibu (chevelle)?
Yes, 68 to 72 all the same !
I would like to have seen some sort of verification that it is an SS.
Matthew Dyer, yes it will interchange with the Malibu. A lot of parts will interchange between the 70-72 Monte and the 68-72 Chevelle
Nice car but SS Montes had SS on the rear decklid and this one doesn’t so I don’t think its the real deal. That being said, I wouldn’t have an issue having it in my garage!
1970 did not have an SS badge on the rear. Only on the front fenders. 1971 they added the SS emblem on the rear.
The “SS” wasn’t on the deck lid it was on the rear body panel between the bumper and deck lid.
You are correct… bad info on a google search… I knew it was on the back just not specifically where. Thanks.
No, 1970 SS454 Monte’s did not have a special rear emblem. 1971’s did.
https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/ss454/
Tried to post this earlier with a link to proof, but it never showed up. So posting without the link:
No, 1970 SS 454 Monte’s did not have a special rear emblem. The 1971’s did, but not the 70’s.
Now that you have said that I remember!! You are exactly right! I had a 70 triple black SS 454 that I did a frame off on and I put the SS on the rear body panel that was on the 71’s because it was so cool looking. This car had P/W, P/Locks, tilt wheel, rear window defroster, cruise control and AM/FM Stereo with the cloth buckets. It also had the air shock pump under the hood on top of the left front inner fender… it was ugly and I did away with it. Wish I still had that car!
I agree, My old high school buddy had a 70, only had emblems on lower fenders ! Too bad the original owner had blown the 454, replaced with a 402 !
I don’t believe I have ever met a “fan” who didn’t like a big block. Does. Not. Compute.