Muscle cars were still popular in 1970, but the tides had begun to change. Insurance companies were raising premiums, emissions controls were tightening, and gasoline would soon no longer be cheap. Yet, Chevrolet managed to sell more than 53,000 SS 396 and SS 454 copies of the Malibu and El Camino. This example, which looks to have been lost from the public eye for many years, seems to be a real deal Super Sport, though no documentation is referenced. Located in dark surroundings in Kirksville, Missouri, this Chevy might clean up nicely (or you might find a ton of problems). Available here on eBay, the current bid is $18,300.
The SS 396 was an option on the Malibu sport coupe and convertible in 1970, having lost its status as a separate series the year before. RPO Z25 was “code” for the SS 396 option. Perhaps to help confuse the insurance gods, the venerable 396 was technically 402 cubic inches now, though the car was still marketed as a 396. Joining the fold in 1970 was the SS 454, the biggest engine yet to be offered by the GM division (Pontiac, Olds, and Buick all had a 455). There were a couple of horsepower variants of the “396” but we don’t know which one the seller’s car had/has. The hood advertises that it once sported Cowl Induction.
We get the impression that the seller knows little about this car or the SS 396 genre in general. It’s not the only vehicle in the dark garage/warehouse and the seller may simply be charged with the task of clearing out an estate. As we said earlier, this car looks like the “genuine article”, but a build sheet or MSRP sticker would be required to know for sure. If it is a clone, it was done long ago. It may be fairly complete, though one door panel is MIA.
This is one of those “ran when parked” opportunities and will need restoring. But perhaps the red paint and black vinyl top and stripes will look good when it gets washed. The vehicle has a 4-speed manual, but no mention is made is anything is numbers matching and the engine looks as though it might have been tinkered with for more power. The seller tells us there are a bunch of parts available but doesn’t say if they’re included with the sale of the car or if you’d have to make a separate deal.
Seems like a very complete car that can be fixed/restored. Other than the missing door panel it looks like every thing is there.There are some add ons like headers,intake and carb. It even has a add on tach which looks to be a sun tach. Would want to see more pictures of trunk and underside.
I always loved a tach mounted under dash,that way you can totally take your eyes off the road..
I understand your point RW. Obviously it’d be better to have the tach mounted higher in your peripheral vision but many people, including myself, are not fond of mounting a tach on the steering column. If you don’t have a natural spot for it in the instrument panel, there is not many other options.
Just hold it to the floor until you hear the valves float then shift.
Why do you need one under the dash, when there is one right next to the speedo?
Sometimes what’s omitted from an add is as important as what the add says. A rust belt car with a description that says needs restoration lacking pictures of rust prone areas shouldn’t be overlooked. Neither should the DynaCorn Chevelle body the seller has currently listed.
Steve R
Looks like someone cared about this car before they put it away. Maybe the extra parts will complete the package. What you don’t get you can source. Probably the top three restorations out there.
classified ad has one” D” , add and subtract has two
I know, I forgot to proofread my post before I hit send.
Steve R
Thanks Miss Landers, take chill pill.
Perhaps since it doesn’t sound like the seller fully understands what this really is, the buyer might get away with a steal. Documentation will really help here and I guess I’ll have to go to MO to see if this really is bona fide.
I’m not surprised the bidding has climbed into the $20k looks like a good restorable one from the pictures
The best looking Chevelle since the first model. Why they lost a headlight the next year should be investigated by the styling Police. And, that 396 can be upgraded with bolt ons to make 400 honest horsepower. Steve R makes valid points as to the origins and what you would be getting. This is one car that should be checked by the MarkI self contained human eyeball.