The 1970 Chevelle SS 396 is one of the more often cloned muscle cars because the VIN does not give it away as being real or fake. The SS 396 was a series of its own from 1966 through 1968, after which it reverted to option status. Meaning you need a built sheet, window sticker, or some other documentation to be sure. This ’70 Chevelle purports to be a real SS and it looks to be in fine condition though the mileage is high. Located in Corona, California, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $58,000. Thanks for the cool tip, Tony Primo!
After 1969, Chevy’s 396 cubic inch V8 was no longer technically a 396. It had grown slightly to 402 cubic inches. Some folks speculate that it was a ploy to throw off the insurance guys who knew what the SS 396 was all about. True or not, the car was still marketed as a 396 witness the badging on the fenders and elsewhere. 1970 is considered the high water mark for the muscle car segment of the market as demand would soon taper due to rising insurance costs and the detuning of engines to appease the emissions gods.
Even though it was an option, Chevrolet built tons of the Chevelle Super Sports in 1970. Some 51,455 copies left the factory with the 350 hp version of the L34 396. 2,144 more had the 375 hp L78 and another 8,700-plus had the new 454 big block. We can’t quite make out the lettering on the air cleaner of the seller’s car, and there is no Ram Air, so we’ll go with this one having the more popular L34. To many, the 1970 variant of the Chevelle is the most attractive of the 1968-72 generation and I tend to agree with that. I didn’t care for the switch to single headlights in 1971-72.
The seller tells us this Chevy is numbers-matching and has the more potent TH-400 version of the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Though the mileage is high, no reference is made to any sort of restoration having been done. It has the customary 12-bolt rear end and power steering and power front disc brakes, which were desirable to drive and stop a powerful auto such as this. We’re told it runs great and is factory green in color (original color or original paint?). If you’ve got the budget to add this car to your garage, it looks as turnkey as they come.
Obviously not its original Dash Housing. It appears to be a poorly and incorrectly made after market one. It has the chrome around all 4 smaller Pods surrounding the Speedo and that’s wrong from how the factory made them. They are supposed to be Black like the rest of the Dash to be correct. Plus they were never shiny chrome looking around the gauges…they were silver. Also note it’s emblems placements on both front fenders……way off from where they belong. Wrong emblem placements always ruins it for me. These cars deserves to be correct….they have earned it. Beautiful Chevelle regardless. I have proudly owned many diff ones in the last 40+ years.
Always liked the rectangular chrome tips on these but those tailpipes come out way too far and look silly imo. Better remember where they’re at when loading groceries.Ouch …like a razor fender on a Sting Ray.
Looks clean, in Corona with Neveda plates.
No ac & not an original steering wheel …
GM didn’t want a small block with more displacement than a big block… hence the small block 400 came out in ’70…
The steering was an option in the 70 model year,I believe it’s known as NK1 Comfort grip
What makes you say that it is not an original steering wheel? It sure looks like the optional NK1 “comfort grip” wheel to me…
Wow, this exact car with a vinyl top was sitting in a front yard back in 1978 for $750. An older man owned the car and said it was too damn expensive to drive. Gas had just reached over $1 per gallon. He gave me the keys to take it for a drive, I was 16! Drove it home and Dad wanted to take it for a spin. When we pulled out of the driveway we were poking along at around 15-20 mph, just that point when it would shift back to 1st gear when you nailed it. Well…Dad nailed it, it lit the back tires for a few rounds, wound tight and ripped 2nd. He turned it around and told me to take it back, too much power. I had to settle for a 66 Super sport Impala 327 2 speed!
Ram Air is a Pontiac option. Chevelle used the term Cowl Induction.
Dont feel bad Cooter. My first car was a 67 GTO. My father pulled the 400 out and put in a 326.. He said the 400 had way too much power for me! lol
let me tell you what Melba toast is packin right here, all right. We got 4:11 posi track out back, 750 double pumper, Edelbrock intakes, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop up pistons, turbo jet 390 horsepower. We’re talkin some f$@%in muscle (sorry, I couldnt resist)
Intake manifold and steering wheel might not be original equipment. It does appear to be a very nice car.
-IT STATES REAL DEAL, automatic on the column, dash is not correct. green to boot
Automatic on the column is what you get if you order an SS with the TH400. Bucket seats and console shift are both options.