When a classic car hits the market with No Reserve, it will garner attention. The interest intensifies when the vehicle is as desirable as this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454. The bidding history of this project candidate demonstrates that people like what they see and are willing to fight for it. The seller has listed the SS here on eBay in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The price has reached $8,100 due to strong interest, and with No Reserve in play, it is sure to climb further before the hammer falls.
I have previously stated that I’m not a massive fan of the Second Generation Chevelle range. I don’t find them particularly ugly, but I feel they lack the elegance that was a hallmark of their predecessors. However, that is a personal opinion, and yours may differ from mine. I respect you if that is the case because diverse views help make the classic scene fascinating. The Cowl Tag confirms the original owner ordered this 1970 SS in Astro Blue, and the seller is not very forthcoming with their information. They don’t mention previous repairs or restoration, and there is no mention of rust issues. The exterior looks clean, and if the trunk pan is an accurate guide, I believe this classic could be rock-solid. The trim looks good for its age, and I can’t spot any glass issues.
The beating heart of this Chevelle is its 454ci V8. It is unclear which version this is, but it would have produced at least 360hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. Those ponies feed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, with the ¼-mile ET of 14.4 seconds cementing its muscle credentials. There are several things to consider with this classic, starting with the fact that it is unclear whether the SS is numbers-matching. This is probably not an issue for those viewing the car as a driver-grade classic but is more crucial if the new owner is looking at its long-term investment potential. However, that may be irrelevant because the seller admits the big-block knocks when running. It could be something relatively minor, but it could also prompt an engine change. They float both ideas, but it will take an in-person inspection to uncover the truth.
The seller indicates that most of this Chevelle’s interior is original, and it has its share of good and bad points. The Black vinyl on the bench seat looks quite good, but that on the door trims is damaged. There is carpet wear and wheel damage, and the pad has cracked in several spots. It isn’t horrendous and is serviceable if the new owner views returning the car to its rightful place on our roads as a short-term goal. Otherwise, the buyer will need to compile a shopping list once they have deep-cleaned everything.
The No Reserve factor with this 1970 Chevelle SS 454 has offset the question mark hanging over the engine health. It has attracted twenty-five bids, but with five days remaining on the auction, that figure and the price will undoubtedly climb. What do you believe the sale price will be, and are you prepared to roll the dice by submitting that bid? We’d love to know the result if you do.
That thing looks like a bondo bucket, the rear quarters are suspect, to say the least. I have no idea what the value of something like this would be, possibly worth saving, possibly not. Good luck to whomever winds up with it.
Theres pros and cons here. First off. The flat rear tire, this thing was driven to the parking lot for photos on a flat tire? Or is the leak so fast that it went flat while taking the pictures. The steering wheel is unfortunately destroyed by time with tape holding it together, no shift knob on the 4 speed. And I agree with Dan above about the bondo. When you wave at an old car and the body waves right back at you ( due to all the bondo). I have some lingering doubts about the quarters.
But if the floor and trunk are solid and the frame is good, you have something to work with here. But I wouldnt go crazy with bidding.
I noticed a lot of things. Trunk lock missing, hood grille and right fender out of alignment, no radiator cap. Battery missing under hood,could be in trunk. Missing emblem on trunk. Probably a respirator at some point. It does have a decent drivetrain tight down to the 12 bolt rear. I say get it for less that 10grand.
That wont go for less than $20,000. 70 Chevelle, big block, 4 speed = desirable car.
Where to start. 1970, Chevelle SS, stick, big v8, all good. Bad motor, Panel gaps are horrible, bondo bucket at the very least in rear quarters. Over spray under the hood everywhere. Rear bumper not even close to be hanging correctly. No way to tell how floors are. So In person inspection and buyer beware. Car has potential no doubt but how much is up to new owners. 12-15 k max knowing it will be 5k minimum to get driving decent sky is the limit on restoration. Glwta.
My guess is that the bumper is hung correctly. It’s the body panels that are off.
For us regular guys who dreaming having the car they drove when they were 18, this would be perfect at around this price. Grab it and throw an LS cheapie build in it and drive it with a smile. No way to ever afford a restored one. Have fun and smile knowing it’s still the real deal
Nowhere is the ad does the seller say it’s an SS, let alone an SS 454, that’s a conclusion made in this write up. It may be an SS, it might not be, potential buyers need to do their research and go over it with a fine tooth comb.
It’s rough, but worth looking at if someone really wants a Chevelle and lives close by.
Steve R
Biding is up to $9,500 on eBay so it’s a clone, if I could find real 70 SS LS6 Chevelle’s I’d Buy them all day at 10 grand lol.
It might be a real SS, it has a lot of the right pieces. It’s listed as being sold by a dealer, he probably wrote the ad to protect himself since there isn’t likely a way to document the car as an SS. Clones often use reproduction parts, which aren’t accurate, there are several SS specific parts on this that look OE, if that’s the case that means they are either original to the car or came off a parts car.
Often good deals go to the person that shows up, that’s why there are so many sellers featured on this site multiple times, while a lot of people complain about not being able to find something desirable at a reasonable price.
Steve R
This car has the look of an amateur refurbishment from around the mid-1990s. Very poor panel alignment, thickly applied paint with little depth of shine, and missing trim around the rear window all smell of Bondo. It’s been apart before, and it looks to have been slapped together with little care. There are probably some nasty surprises waiting for the next buyer.
Aren’t they all SS 454s now? Nothing fits together and I don’t want to know the rest. BTW, that isn’t Astro blue either.
With all the body issues, I’m thinking this car was wrecked at some point, and put back together VERY badly!!!
If those plastic front inner fenders are original they are the most valuable thing on this car. And they look to be in decent shape.
Wow…..up to a little past 14grand for this non-matching non-runner….
WOW, What a piece. horrible panel gaps all over, over spray of wrong color . Just througin together. ick!!!
Wasn’t driven anywhere with no alternator belt and tape over the quadrabog