This Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 is a Special Order vehicle the original owner purchased in 1970. They treated it to a repaint in 1977 before storing it in 1979. The seller recently dragged it out and coaxed its original big-block back to life. However, it needs a new owner prepared to return this iconic muscle car to its former glory. It is listed here on eBay in Napoleon, Ohio. Although the seller set their auction to open at $29,950, there have been no bids. It appears to be a No Reserve listing, and the lack of action raises the prospect that someone could become the new owner by dropping a single bid.
Chevrolet introduced the Second Generation Chevelle in 1968, abandoning the previous coke-bottle styling in favor of a more sculpted appearance. The new model rolled on a shorter wheelbase, although there was little to separate its overall length from its predecessor’s. Many contemporary journalists believed the new model possessed a greater sense of presence, receiving only minor styling upgrades throughout its life. This 1970 SS is a mystery machine. Its original owner ordered it that year equipped with some desirable options but undertook a repaint in 1977 that deleted the original Black stripes. It retains its Black vinyl top, but the paint shade is the most intriguing part of this classic. The seller has the original Build Sheet, but it shows a blank in the space for the paint color. They say it is a Special Order vehicle, and the color may form part of that puzzle. It doesn’t match anything on the 1970 Chevelle palette, but it could potentially be LeMans Blue. However, it is lifting in various spots, meaning another repaint is on the cards. The panels are straight, but there’s evidence of rust in some lower body extremities. It isn’t severe, but it raises questions regarding the state of the floors. The photos tell us little, although heavy underside corrosion and holes in the trunk pan could indicate more involved repairs to ensure the vehicle is structurally sound. The trim and chrome are surprisingly good for a car of this type, and there are no glaring issues with the tinted glass.
One notable change within the Chevrolet range for 1970 was a slight increase in bore size for the 396ci V8. The change lifted the capacity to 402ci, although the company continued to use the “396” designation. Opening the Chevelle’s hood reveals the L34 version of that motor that breathed deeply through the optional Cowl Induction hood to produce 350hp in its prime. The original owner selected a four-speed close-ratio M21 manual transmission to send the power to the 12-bolt 3.31 Posi rear end. That potent combination could launch the SS through the ¼-mile in 14.6 seconds. The seller indicates that a four-speed M20 transmission now handles shifting duties and that the original carburetor, water pump, and distributor are in the trunk. After four decades in hibernation, they coaxed the big-block back to life, and it sounds healthy. They noted a radiator leak that prevented extended running, but the signs look positive. Many tasks will await the buyer before it returns to its rightful place on our roads, but the seemingly healthy numbers-matching engine represents a sound starting point.
I was initially surprised by the state of this Chevelle’s interior, but then I considered the life it led. It only saw active service for nine years before being parked. The lack of use and exposure to harmful UV rays has helped preserve the trim and upholstery. The Black vinyl shows no wear or problems, the dash and carpet are clean, and the pad has avoided the common cracking issue. The original owner swapped an AM/FM radio into the spot usually occupied by the optional AM radio/tape player, but the factory unit sits in the trunk. There are no further aftermarket additions, and I believe this interior would shine like a new penny following a deep clean.
With 53,599 vehicles rolling off the line in 1970, the Chevelle SS 396 is not the rarest car on the planet. However, that hasn’t prevented it from achieving legendary status as a classic muscle car. Pristine and original examples are highly sought after, but I believe the lack of bidding on this car may be borne of seller optimism. They suggest a pristine car would command a value of over $100,000, but with values softening over the past six months by around 8%, even a spotless and faithful restoration may struggle to hit that figure. However, this may also be the perfect time to speculate if a potential buyer has the available cash. If the new owner secures the sale around the opening bid region, that leaves room to move on a financially viable restoration. If the market turns and values climb to their previous levels or beyond, that person could come out of the process smelling like a rose. It is undoubtedly food for thought.
Mohawk Super Mag 70’s, (and 60’s) Oh how I remember. Back to the car, restore or leave original? the real money for a flip would be to leave it as is. A real Chevelle lover will restore it and drive it to shows and cruise ins for the next thirty years.
I cannot see the market turning and values climbing to their previous levels or beyond, The primary market for this car is diminishing and the economy will probably go into a recession that might last a year or two. So when it bounces back, the market will be even smaller. Smaller market equals softer pricing.
Even if there is no bad recession, you can’t fight demographics. Plus there’s the big electric vehicle conversion that’s inevitable, for better or worse. Who knows what that will do to the values of gasoline powered classics like this. My guess is it will not take it in a positive direction.
Regardless, a pretty cool find if it was at a lower price point. I personally would just try to keep it as original as possible and just fix the things needed for drivability.
Plus there’s the big electric vehicle conversion that’s inevitable, for better or worse. Who knows what that will do to the values of gasoline powered classics like this. My guess is it will not take it in a positive direction. Well, Bick, I guess I have to ask what you mean by electric vehicle conversion. Are you saying everyone will be driving electric cars, or are you saying folks will take a classic like this and electrify it? If its the latter, I sure as hell hope not. As far as I am concerned, I think the people that want gas burners will still be plenty and especially old classics like this. If some one wants to put a battery powertrain in this, well, I think that’s absolutely asinine. Leave the damn thing as it is, or restore it, but don’t electrify it for Pete’s sake!
Good question. As to the first part of your question, California will ban the sales of new gasoline vehicles by 2035. New York has followed suit, Illinois has hinted at it, and I’m sure others soon will too.
What I see happening is gasoline getting way more expensive and harder to find. You will still be able to buy used cars that are gasoline powered or get them in other states in CA, et al. So I think you’ll start seeing those governments impose punitive measures directed towards ICE vehicles to try to stop that from happening on a large scale.
Of course gasoline will never be completely eliminated. But it all but car lovers will face obstacles that do not exist now. Many will be deterred. And as I said above, with decreased demand would come much lower prices. That’s why I said that.
As the converting muscle cars to electric, you’re already starting to see kits that allow you to turn iconic ICE vehicle such as air cooled Volkswagens into electric vehicles. I don’t know how wide spread that will be though. That is very expensive to do and wilk probably just be a small niche market.
these are great cars in the as found condition. They get lots of attention in any crowd when they show their soul and tell a story. Mine has vietnam stickers under the trunk along with other hippy decals like “Legalize Pot”. all very era and I love it..
Looks close to Fathom Blue. Paint Code 28. I owned a 1970 Monte Carlo in the same color.
The seller seems to be fairly knowledgable, but why not include a photo of the trim tag and we could see what is going on there as far as the special paint mention.
Last time I saw something that blue and salty it was the Atlantic ocean. As a riff on Obi Wan’s line out of the Empire Strikes back, “He’s more Bondo than machine now.”
Good points raised in the comments regarding gasoline and governments future role in Managing its availability.
Also regarding the future of the old car marketplace. Demographics cannot be ignored.
Nevertheless I have good memories of fun times in cars like these. And I’d love to have this one.
No way I could leave a car like this parked for 43 years.
Def. not LeMans Blue maybe Fathom Blue as was stated in comments , a cool car worthy of a restoration .
It’s amazing that the trunk pan is rusted out, especially only being driven for 9 years before being parked for the last 43 years ??? BS,BS,BS, !!!!
Keith, do you live in a state where they salt the roads in the winter? Most cars of this age were cooked in a short time.
9 years would have been more than enough to do a lot of damage, which doesn’t stop when you park it.
Why did the seller not include a picture of the open trunk showing the rotted out trunk pan ??? If any other readers want to see more pictures, check out the article featuring this car on (www.autoevolution.com).
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1970-chevrolet-chevelle-parked-43-years-ago-is-a-one-owner-barn-find-with-a-camaro-secret-203614.html
Keith, on Ebay there is a photo of the open truck, you have to scroll down, and now there is one bid.
I looked at the ad on ebay. I must have overlooked the picture, or didn’t scroll down far enough. I’m sure it will sell, I just don’t understand why the trunk pan would be rusted thru if the car was only driven 9yrs until being parked for the last 43yrs.
The build sheet clearly shows 28/28 paint code. Dusk blue upper and lower.
Driven in Northern Ohio winters, with tons of salt on roads , it would take 3 or 4 yrs. to destroy any car from that era. Period. At the current state of e-car tech, let’s say you are on I-480 or 77 in a February snow storm traffic jam for 2 or 3 hours, not unusual,you will be sweating bullets if you will make it home. If you get home, and the power is out, you get the picture. End of IC engine cars soon? Not up here.
A lower HP four speed with a few options. It will have major rust issues once it has been stripped, floor and trunk pans, quarters, fenders etc. Ohio is brutal on sheetmetal.The bid is over $30k and it won’t bring $60k restored. A professional body shop will bill $10-15k for a showcar paint job plus bodywork. To much money out laid for to little profit
From details shown, this car is a regular order car. The build sheet clearly shows paint code 28, which for 1970 is Fathom Blue. Nothing odd about this paint or this car unless there is something else the seller is not mentioning. If it were a special order, there would be something odd which did not come on other 70 Chevelles. When you went to the dealer and ordered a car, that is called regular order. If you got something odd, which the zone manager had to get okayed, that would be called special order. Capeesh? Still a solid looking, documented car, probably well worth the opening bid price.
20k. 22k at most.
Looks like a cool car to “beat around in”. I’m not a restorer or a flipper, I just like it. I do admit though the way gas/fossil fuels are going it affects my desires toward things more affordable to drive
The front seat bothers me,worn like this?