If you compiled a list of the “must-have’ items that buyers seek in a Chevrolet Chevelle SS, this 1970 example ticks most of the boxes. The first owner combined a 396ci V8 with a four-speed manual transmission, a Posi rear end, and power front disc brakes, creating an extremely desirable package. This car retains its original paint, but is begging for a new owner to treat it to the cosmetic restoration it richly deserves. The seller has listed the SS here on eBay in Ocoee, Florida. Although the bidding has reached $18,600, it remains below the reserve.
Launched for the 1968 model year, Chevrolet’s Second Generation Chevelle range looked markedly different from its predecessor. Buyers developed a preference for a more “sculpted” look, and the Chevelle met that brief. It sold in very respectable numbers, demonstrating that Chevrolet got the look spot-on. This SS rolled off the showroom floor in 1970 and would have looked stunning in Cortez Silver. The listing suggests that the paint is original, but it is well past its “best before” date. The new owner faces a complete cosmetic restoration, but the situation isn’t as bad as the listing images may initially suggest. Stripping the panels to bare metal would be a wise strategy, maximizing the chances of achieving a high-end result. There is surface corrosion requiring attention, but what this classic lacks is acres of penetrating rust. The seller mentions a small area on the frame where the battery tray sat. Otherwise, this baby is rock-solid. The build may involve replacing a few substandard trim pieces, but the tinted glass looks acceptable for a driver-grade restoration.
One aspect of this Chevelle requiring plenty of love is its interior. The dashpad is missing, there is no carpet, and many upholstered components are either missing or beyond salvation. Given how few items are fit for use, a complete retrim is the most obvious course of action. High-quality kits are readily available, and while this approach will add at least $3,000 to the restoration budget, the results should justify the expense. I admit it is a major investment, but it is also worth remembering that a refreshed interior should still present well for many decades if treated respectfully.
Okay, lifting the hood reveals this Chevelle’s party piece. The seller includes the original Build Sheet in the deal, confirming that this car is a genuine SS 396. The first owner selected the L34 version of the big-block, producing a factory-quoted 350hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque. The four-speed transmission is the close-ratio M21, while the 3.31 Posi rear end should provide a perfect compromise between acceleration and open-road cruising. The seller admits that this SS isn’t numbers-matching, although the news isn’t all bad. It appears the car suffered an early engine failure, and the existing 396 is a “CE” warranty replacement. That’s the bad news. The good news is that this Chevelle runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition that the winning bidder can enjoy immediately while planning its restoration.
Many enthusiasts believe that muscle cars reached their peak in 1970. The double whammy of rising insurance costs and tighter emissions regulations would soon hit with a vengeance, and the effortless performance they had provided would become a distant memory. Thankfully, manufacturers never threw in the towel and developed sophisticated fuel injection and electronic engine management technology to claw back some of the lost ground. However, those later examples never possessed the raw sense of presence found in classics like this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. It is a brutal classic from a simpler time, and deserves to return to its former glory. Are you going to be the person to make that happen?
The dealer has it listed on their website for $40,970.
Steve R