The Chevelle Super Sport was still one of the most popular muscle cars when the 1970 model year rolled around. That’s considered by many to be the genre’s heyday before engine detuning would ramp up to appease the “tree huggers.” This 1970 Chevelle Super Sport is one of 53,600 produced, but 1 of just 2,144 with the coveted L78 engine. Now a roller, this work-in-progress project is in Ocoee, Florida, and is offered by a dealer. The current bid is $18,200 here on eBay, with an unmet reserve still in the picture.
Unlike a lot of 55-year-old cars, this one comes complete with documentation. It was built in Atlanta, Georgia, and was delivered to a dealer in Sulligent, Alabama. The seller has the Chevelle’s build sheet, order form, dealer invoice, Protect-O-Plate, and the cowl tag. All of this tells us it was painted in Autumn Gold, had a black vinyl top, black interior (sorry, no bucket seats), 402 cubic inch L78 V8 (the 396 had been upgraded but still called a 396), and a TH-400 automatic transmission.
Sadly, the original engine is no more, but it was replaced under warranty and appears to be in pieces (but is everything still there?). We don’t believe a tranny is included. A frame-off restoration was started with some new parts, but it is far from finished. The seller says that most of the body work has been done, and we see some new floorboards. We’re told the L78 is a rarer find than the even more potent L56, which displaced 454 CI and was good for nearly one horsepower per cubic inch.
This could be a beautiful machine when completed. And it won’t be yet another Super Sport clone. The only way the car could be worth more later is if the factory engine and automatic were still in the picture. Many consider the L78 to be one of the Holy Grail products from the muscle car era. Do you share this opinion?
Must’ve been a real dandy performer on the boulevards back in 70′
’70 is my favorite year for these. I hope its faithfully restored with another 402 or 396 again. That is a nice color combination too that it originally had. Like Stan said. This definitely must’ve been nice to cruise down the boulevard ( granted at a rather fast pace lol).
The L78 was originally rated at 425 HP but was changed on paper so not to out do the Corvette. It was discontinued early in the 1970 model year being replaced by the LS6. And all they did was take the L78 blueprint off the 402 and put it on a 454. The cam, carburetor, high compression pistons, heads, and intake are all identical. Just added a few more cu in.
Truth be known, it was probably 450hp or some better. It was quite a handful.
The missing trans wouldn’t matter to me because I’d want to put a stick in it anyway.
I had one of these with the 402.
I rebuilt the motor and had it balanced repainted it Lemans blue with a black vinyl top.
4spd.I put a lot of time and love into that car.
If I had known how valuable they would be today I would have never sold it.
Sounds a real sweet ride you put together Jim 😎 🤝👍🏁
Bonus points for not going with Requisite Red.
Current bid $18,200–damn–alot of money. Their must be alot of fools out their. I wonder what they would pay me for a 70—396?
You think $18,000 is too high for a 70 Chevelle with documentation? You think someone who would give that much is a fool? If you do not think a 70 Chevelle is worth 18 thou, then you obviously do not even own one.
The L78 was a bad to the bone option in its day. I had a 69 SS with it, 4:10s, and the M22 transmission. Sadly, I sold it in76. It was wicked. I agree with Johnny, 18.5 is a lot to invest to get it started but it could be a beauty, and bad, in the end.
A lot of $ for all the work that it needs. I have a 68 ss convertible with 396 backed by an M22, 138 vin AND a 69 ss convertible with same drive train…. my wife wants to know what they are worth? She says cash is queen.
I had a 69 L78 with the M22 and 4:10 rear. It’s one of my biggest regrets in life that I sold it.
’70 Chelle’s came w/ a 402?…Did not know that….Was the engine any good?
That’s the best build sheet I ever saw snd I’ve seen hundreds. Almost mskes me think its a repo. Bench seat and TH400. Pass.
Ended at $20,500.
Reserve Not Met.