Out Of The Barn! 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

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I think it’s a toss-up as to what gets more coverage here, first-gen Mustangs or 1970 Chevrolet Chevelles. Regardless of coverage, when one builds a better mousetrap, one usually wants to promote it by all available means. However, that was not the case in late 1969 when Chevrolet introduced its 450-gross HP, 454 CI, LS6 Chevelle SS. While its tamer sibling, the 360 HP LS5 flavor, got plenty of press, the big kahuna LS6 went pressless – more on that thought to follow. Today’s find, courtesy of Mitchell G. is one of those top-drawer Chevelles and is labeled a barn find. It’s located in Crivitz, Wisconsin and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $90,000, OBO.

Chevrolet’s first LS6 Chevelle rolled off Baltimore’s Broening Highway assembly plant in early December of ’69 – supposedly destined to a Chevrolet executive. The zone offices around the country were advised of this upcoming supercar model, via an interoffice letter penned in October of ’69. The letter announced the discontinuation of the 375 HP, 396 CI L78 V8 and the introduction of the LS6 as a sort of top dog replacement. You’d think Chevrolet would want to sing the big engine’s praises but GM’s brass had this pesky rule about each automobile model having to have at least ten lbs. of curb weight per gross HP, and the LS6, as well as the now discontinued L78, failed in that department. What to do…simple, manufacture it but don’t draw any unwanted attention. No print ads, no sales brochure or operating manual inclusion, no nothin’; word of mouth and an order sheet will do the job – and it did. Total LS6 production reached approximately 4,475 copies (the number varies based on the source consulted), even outselling, slightly, the milder LS5 version.

The seller informs us, “…barn find, I bought years ago and have known the car since I was 8 years old, car has never left the Wisconsin area. Authenticated by Patrick Glen Nichols and in the Kansas City SS 454 LS6 registry.” Patrick Glenn Nichols is a YouTuber who authenticates collectible Chevelles with LS6s being his stock-in-trade (He sounds a lot like actor Matthew McConaughey!). All-in-all, this Chevy shows pretty well with the obvious issues being a faded Forest Green lacquer finish, nicks, dings, and some damage to the trailing edge of the driver’s side fender. The exterior bears the mark of the usual suspects with hood and deck stripes and a functioning cowl induction hood. The rear wheels have been swapped with ’70s vintage slotted pieces and ladder bars are conspicuous under this Chevy’s rear end. Fortunately, this SS454 does not appear to have come under the wrath of rust, the enemy of this generation of GM’s A-body cars.

The original 450 HP engine has been replaced with a period correct (May 1970) warranty exchange unit but the Muncie M-22 four-speed manual transmission and twelve-bolt, 4.10 differential assembly are still on the job. Many mechanical parts have been replaced and the listing contains specific details as to what has been refurbished. The only non-stock component appears to be exhaust headers attached to a Flowmaster system. So, how’s it run? We’re told that it “runs and drives.” There is an embedded listing video of the car idling but that’s about it in the motivation department.

The interior has been treated to, “New seat covers and foam, along with new carpet and headliner” and the parchment upholstery shows well – no yellowing noted. It’s a standard Chevelle SS environment with optional bucket seats, a center console, and full instrumentation. The instrument panel shows some signs of typical aging but presents quite well. The only upgrade appears to be the addition of an underdash oil pressure gauge.

The seller suggests, “draws more attention than a restored LS6” and, “This is a perfectly running car that can be left “AS IS” or completely restored if you wanted to go in that direction.”  OK, fair enough. Regardless, the ask of $90 large seems out there considering the car’s condition and lack of its born-with powerplant. But then again, when it comes to cars like this vintage Chevelle SS, nothing surprises me anymore, how about you?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Terrry

    If it’s never been outside Wisconsin, why is it in the Kansas registry? Potential buyers, examine this car very carefully.

    Like 11
    • Nick P

      Depending on where in Wisconsin, it seems the Flint plant is about the same distance as the KC plant. I don’t see why it would be an issue being a KC car in Wisconsin. As long as it is what it claims to be then take it for its merit. And being a KC car, it has the L designating it a real SS. Few people have Chevelle knowledge equal to Patrick Glenn Nichols. If he said its real, its real.

      Like 11
    • Jim ODonnellAuthor

      The Kansas City Registry means that it was built in Kansas City, so it’s on their registry as opposed to the Baltimore Registry or the Atlanta Registry, or the Van Nuys (LA) Registry, or the Flint registry – the five assembly plants where LS6 Chevelles were assembled.

      JO

      Like 11
    • Mark T Hagene

      It is on Patrick Glen Nichols and is authenticated. Had no stripes then and needed TLC, but is real .

      Like 2
  2. Tim Vose

    That’s right Terry, sounds a little fishy to me. Asking price is, well, asking. Not that I wouldn’t like to drive this it’s just not my budget this week.

    Like 3
  3. Mark

    A lot of money but at least it is a survivor with a 4-speed!!

    Like 2
    • Rick

      What a cool car to own!
      While it has survived it is not a %100 “Survivor” with the CE block. Maybe there is some documentation on the block from the dealer.

      Like 1
  4. Greg B Greg BMember

    Without a build sheet, original dealership sales paperwork, and or a metal warranty card known as the Protecto Plate, I would be very careful on this without it. NOM is another concern.

    Like 6
  5. Jim Helmer

    Considering I sold my 70 Chevelle SS in 1979
    For $1600 after rebuilding the original motor and repainting it.
    I’ll never get over the ridiculous prices people are asking for these cars now.

    Like 11
    • Greg B Greg BMember

      I agree with Jim. It makes no sense that so many are priced what they are priced.

      Like 5
      • Turbotato

        In many cases the prices are so high you’d be scared to drive them.

        Like 5
      • mike

        they’re priced there because there’s people out there throwing money at them

        Like 6
      • JoeNYWF64

        Turbotato, today’s video screen menu controls & what drivers do while driving & their view out with such darkly tinted glass all around & tiny side windows & too high beltlines in 21st cent vehicles – all scare me more.

        Like 0
  6. Rick

    Cool car to have but not a “Survivor”.

    Like 1
  7. David Peterson

    I had a brief time as the driver of a ’55 two dor post wagon (210?). It was experimental in that unique way that only 16-20 year old gear heads can imagine. 327 with high rise and two four bbl. Rochesters. To really put it outside the box, we found an adapter kit from Warshosky and installed a manual shift Hydra-matic. No one could touch us in the rural drags for the first months of summer. We even pulled the fronts slightly off the ground after installing some 4.56 gears. Then a returning VietNam vet got a beautiful silver SS 454 just like this. I didn’t ever beat that car and to my knowledge it was stock. I’m guessing even at 450, they were being conservative. We finally grenaded that engine and tranny on the same pass against him. He was kind enough to tow us home. Terry J. if you still burning gas I salute you 54 years later.

    Like 11
  8. Joe

    Way overpriced at $90k, replacement CE block, condition slightly over fair, no docs…..not with my money on this one….

    Like 2
  9. steve

    I’m having trouble with the owner’s “draws more attention than a restored LS6” comment. I bet the true attention it draws is not the kind most car owners would brag about.

    Like 3
  10. Shuttle Guy Shuttle GuyMember

    Nice car. Sick of seeing ’70’s all of the time! Price? Good luck with that. My fellow car buffs know better!

    Like 1
  11. Steve Weiman

    Very cool car. That said at 90 K it’s reasonable to be critical: seller does a terrific job of disclosing everything good about this car and absolutely nothing about what isn’t. Plus add this new theme of pictures in low light that make details, impossible to discern.
    Might want to disclose the rust 12 inches high on the left Front fender, as well as the dents and serious scratches on that side of the car. And painting new stripes over the old paint (?!) Who does that?
    Survivor(?!) sounds like another Chevelle we are going to see floating around in the market for the next two or three years as a no sale…..

    Like 5
    • Tim

      Agree. Too many “flaws” for the price.

      Like 1
    • Frog

      Good observations Steve. The first photo illustrates the car wasn’t preserved well. Another big concern of mine is people that race an engine on a cold start.

      Like 0
  12. JoeNYWF64

    I like the longer homemade side battery terminal bolt – helps when using jumper cables.
    The faded chrome border paint around the perimeter of the gages is poor quality, compared to that i seen on some original junk ’68 f-bodies that have not been garaged.
    Otherwise, a gr8 car!

    Like 0
  13. Fish56

    Steve W., you’re so correct on this car.
    I zoomed in on the driver’s side front fender, where the emblems mount. Wow! Very rusted, hard to see the gap between the fender and the door. Wish I could post a photo here of the issues. Can’t believe the asking price.
    Bill

    Like 0
  14. ffeJ

    Looks like someone ponied up the $90K

    Like 0
    • Shuttle Guy Shuttle GuyMember

      The auction “Ended” it did not sell. It would say “Sold” if it had.

      Like 0
  15. Rainer Seitz

    Tough crowd here. The car did indeed sell. The seller is well-known and respected in 1970 Chevelle circles, so the car is not in question. And yes, it brought close to the asking price.

    Like 0

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