The 1970 model year was the pinnacle for muscle cars like the Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport. After 1970, demand fell off due to rising insurance premiums and shrinking compression ratios to be more environmentally friendly. Chevy built a bundle of SS 396s in 1970, including this forlorn one-owner with its original L34 350 hp V8 fire-breather. This example has been living in a barn since 1983, but is mostly solid for a restoration. Located now in Beech Island, South Carolina, this Forest Green project is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $24,200 with an unmet reserve.
Chevrolet assembled nearly 290,000 Malibu Sport Coupes in 1970. Of those, some 15% came with RPO Z25, the option code for an SS 396. That got you a 402 cubic inch V8, which was still marketed as a 396, and it may have been a ploy to confuse insurance agents (but I doubt many were fooled). The L34 was the starting point for the SS 396 at 350 horses, and most of the cars got it. For those real speed demons, a 454 CI was new that year, and maybe three percent of Malibu’s were so ordered.
As the story goes, this Chevelle was purchased new in Aiken, South Carolina, and covered 109,000 miles before it was parked in a barn after 13 years. Its original owner apparently presided over it until the seller extricated it a few months ago. Nothing has been done to the car in ages (even a bath), so what you see is what you get. The Chevy appears to be complete and was decently equipped when new, including factory A/C.
A collection of original paperwork should confirm this car as being a real deal and a numbers-matching SS 396. The first owner did not opt for bucket seats, so a bench is present that some small woodland creatures have tried to eat their way into. The rest of the matching interior may be okay, and rust doesn’t seem to be an affliction. The only non-stock item on the Chevy could be a set of header pipes. If you’re looking for a Chevelle SS 396 to restore, does this one push your buttons?
The reserve price is for the most ardent Chevrolet deciples Dixon.
I can’t find the reserve price. What is it?
I think somebody just put the SS badges on this one, it doesn’t have the the SS rear bumper and you can’t tell by the vin if it a real SS in 70 the 1970 Chevelle SS did come with a specific rear bumper, featuring a resilient black-painted insert
The pad on the rear bumper is clearly shown in the picture of it on the roll back, the trim tag shows it’s a factory stripe car. I couldn’t see any of the pictured original paperwork that specifically says it’s an SS, but that doesn’t mean it’s not present. All you need is a piece of the paperwork that shows the VIN, then match it to the VIN stamped in the block.
It’s much more likely to be real SS, than not, bidders seem to think it is. This is a car worth watching to the end.
Steve R
This car has been sitting since 1983. There was no reason to clone a car when they were a dime a dozen at that time. This car has had a LOT more then SS badges added. Looks real to my 70 year old eyes.
I don’t know much about Chevrolet SS cars. But… very interested in the 70 Plymouth Road Runner 440-6 parked next to the SS. . Will be looking on ebay for it. 😃
Good eye, Big Bear!
What was the 138 pre-fix for? I thought it was for big block cars…..? This one is a 136 car…
In 1970 the 138xx model was the Concours Estate Station Wagon (2 or 3 seats). Generally in this era the third digit of Chevrolet’s model number indicates whether the OE engine had 6 (odd) or 8 (even) cylinders.
Good info.
😂🤣🤣
A lot of cabbage for a car that needs everything.
Looks pretty legit under the hood. I think that master cylinder with the angle bleeders is original and the rear AC bracket wrapping over the top of the valve cover is pretty rare. If this car hasn’t been touched in 40 years it could very well have some paperwork hidden in there if rats haven’t gotten to it and made a nest with it.
Agree with Steve, this is one car worth watching to the end of bidding.
I see the protect-o-plate in the eBay ad. along with what may be the original finance agreement.
This car will take close to $80k to bring it back to life. The guy I bought my L78 Nova from, dropped $45k (in 2002) just at the body shop and the car had the original sheet metal.
You will be underwater to restore this one. The column shifter is not a sought after item.
So much to restore I believe the next owner will be underwater. Who really wants a muscle car with a column shifter ?
it does have SSdash cluster and SS badges on door panels
Base engine was 325 hp.
Not in 1970 SS 396’s. It was 350HP
Car’s a “roach”!
Seems like a real barn find here! I would at least like to see it cleaned up a little bit. I see it has a factory AM/FM radio and was ordered with a bench seat, colunm shifter, no hood pins and no cowl induction lettering on the hood!
Auction ended on 7/21/2025 with a high bid of $26,400 there were 79 bids and 13 bidders, did not meet reserve.
Steve R