The 1970 model year was the pinnacle for the muscle car market. After that, sales for virtually every entry in the market began to dwindle. Some 53,600 cars from the Chevy Chevelle family were built with the RPO Z25 SS 396 option (that number includes El Caminos and Monte Carlos). The seller, a dealer, believes this ’70 SS 396 is a real-deal car, which is often hard to prove, but we’re told the engine and transmission are numbers-matching. Located in a warehouse with other classics, this well-worn example is available in Celeste, Texas, and here on eBay for $27,500 OBO.
Without a build sheet or other factory documentation, a 1970 Chevelle SS is hard to validate. The car was a series from 1966 to 1968 and had its own VIN, but after that, it was an option, so the VIN or cowl tag doesn’t get the job done. Let’s say this ’70 Green Mist is a real deal SS 396. That would mean the engine (or what’s left of it) is really 402 cubic inches rather than 396. Chevy changed it up slightly that year, perhaps to fool insurance companies that knew what a 396 was and increased the premiums when they had one.
This car has no doubt been off the road for ages, and it’s probably not been in an ideal spot for preservation. It has all the earmarks of a true barn find. Besides it being a true SS 396, it came with a 4-speed manual transmission. The paint may be original, considering the selling dealer’s tag is still on the rear deck lid. And the poorly maintained Midnight Green interior has fabric over the bucket seats. The Chevy also has a console to house the shifter.
Some parts have been removed, perhaps by the previous owner who had decided to restore the machine at one point. But they may all be there. The body has rust, but replacement panels are available as a lot of 1970 Chevelles have become SS clones in their afterlife. If you buy the car, you’ll have a lot of work to do, and the required investment for a restoration won’t come cheap.
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