According to the seller, this is a real-deal Super Sport 396 Chevelle from 1970. It has been sitting since the late 1970s and was most likely parked due to mechanical issues. The original 396 is “long gone” says the ad, but in its place lies a potent big-block. The car can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid of $12,600. Located in Barnesville, Minnesota, there isn’t much information in the ad regarding the history. Based on the amount of rust, it’s believable that the car has been sitting for some time. Let’s take a closer look at this project and thanks to Patrick S. for the tip on this one!
As mentioned before, the original numbers-matching 396 is gone, but in its place lies a big block 454! Unfortunately, the car isn’t currently in running condition. The seller says they had a buddy “set the motor in” and it could use a tune-up. The engine had been sitting for a few years before it was installed, so it needs a little TLC. Hopefully, it will be a solid runner once it gets some attention.
The interior looks fairly original. The ad says it still has its original rally gauges and the floors are “pretty nice.” Apparently the carpet was removed years ago which prevented any further rot from taking place between the carpet and floor pan. Although the 1970 Chevelle was a one-year-only body style, it shares a lot of components with other years and there is very strong aftermarket support for every year Chevelle.
This car looks like a pretty solid project for someone. Even though it’s only a roller at this point, it has seen pretty strong bidding. Hopefully, the new owner will be able to breathe some life back into this car and it will be tearing up the streets soon!
Now this is the way Chevelles looked when I was in high school…and they were only a few years old at the time. Big tires in the rear, maybe some mudflaps, small ones in the front, bucket seats, red primer. Looks like it may have come in that ubiguitous green metallic finish with a vinyle top. In my distorted view of the world in 2020, this is a $12,600 car all day long. But for how long?
What about the el Camino no body ever seems to mention it.
Wait, it has Mopar aftermarket wheels, I mean rims! Car is no longer for sale. I’m guessing someone made an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Mopar rims? Looks to me like plain ol’ commonplace American Racing mags….
More like Keystone Klassics.
Steve R
UM those are called Keystone wheels youngins..
C’mon guys, I was just joking! Usually you see Keystone Klassics on Mopars, which I like. Maybe it’s just a Sox and Martin thing stuck in my head.
If the quarterpanels, hoods, decklids & fenders of the ’70-2 do not interchange, that was not very smart of Chevy.
Chevy should have left the front end alone for ’71-2 & just change the rear, if that.
Regarding on what happened in ’73 to this car – possibly the worse car transformation in history, followed closely by sister division cars that year.
Chevrolet made more significant annual changes to Chevelle fenders and often quarter panels for the 64-69 model years than the 70-72. The same can be said for nearly every manufacturer most of their makes and models. Cars were generally restyled every two years from the mid-50’s thru the early-70’s often with minor annual changes.
Steve R
$OLD!!! Good project, I’d slide a 4 or 5 speed in. By the pics you could drive as is but you would need to go over the mechanics real good from sitting all that time. The unknown is the condition of the mill. maybe get it running and evaliuate, or pull it out and freshen it up. One of the more solid projects we have seen lately. Good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
GPC
I got chills looking at that ad,
Thats what mine looked like in high school, minus the small burn holes in the seat. and I have been looking for one on and off.
I would of bought it. don’t know where to put it, but I would of bought it. thank god it sold already.
To late again!! Gone!! This would have been a nice project!!
That was my car of choice when I was in high school. Almost bought one but got talked out of it by a mechanic friend. Probably for the best. Ended up with a 68 red El Camino, sometimes I wish I still had it.
If had this 1970 I would either build an LS with a 6 speed Tremic or build a 396 and dump the 454 and stick with the classic tough as nails TH400. Add a set of Cragers and do a body off restoration and paint Chevy Competition Orange. But since it is sold it is just another one on my wish list out of my bucket of dreams.
Yessir, that’s a time machine right there. Straight out of rock n roll high school, or from the crowded parking lots on cruise night….at the light rumbling away with that familiar “tick-ittyy-tick” idle., long haired goons all hunkered down inside.
Oh those were the days when cars like this were just fun and nothing but fun.
For some reason I get the feeling that 454 came out of a pick up truck, maybe it’s the air cleaner. Nobody left a stock air cleaner on their machine back then, sometimes no air cleaner at all which is dumb.
My kinda ride, six days a week and twice on Sunday.