Muscle cars were still in hot demand in 1970, though that was about to change. More than 53,600 copies of the Chevelle Super Sport were built, 84% coming with the “396” V8 while the rest had the new 454 cubic inch monster. This ’70 SS 396 has had the same owner for nearly 30 years and – since we’re told it has its original engine – we assume it’s a real-deal SS. It hasn’t run recently and needs some body and interior work, so it qualifies as a performance project. Located in Greer, South Carolina, the Chevy is available here on craigslist for a reasonable (?) $8,300. Thanks, Pat L., for yet another cool tip!
The SS 396 was still an option on the Chevelle in 1970, but they had tinkered with the displacement of the engine. It was expanded slightly to 402, perhaps to thwart the insurance industry that was well aware of what the venerable 396 was. This Chevelle has been in the same family for nearly 30 years (1994) and was parked in running condition about six years ago. It has a 4-speed manual transmission which should add to the appeal of the machine to serious muscle car fans.
Time and exposure to the elements have invited some rust, though it may not be serious. Both front fenders have corrosion at the bottoms, and some may be around where the vinyl roof once lived (it was peeled off years ago). We’re told the floors and trunk are solid, both good signs. Unlike so many SS 396s you see, this car does not have bucket seats or a console, so from the inside it looks a lot like a Malibu family car (except for the floor shifter!). The dashboard (or at least the pad) has been replaced.
Overall, it looks like a valid candidate for a restoration and perhaps it could be running again with a couple of weekends of work. The odometer has turned over at least once, so this Chevy has a minimum of 153,000 miles under its belt. The party listing the car for sale says “they” have a clean title for it, so perhaps you’ll be working with another party to see the car and close a deal. This could be a six-figure performance machine one day when and if restored properly, so the asking price sounds fair (by today’s standards).
worth the money just to park in your barn and look at
killer deal from what I can see. If I was closer to SC I’d pick it up in a heartbeat. Not gonna last long at that price.
Lots of nice patina and of course nothing runs like a Deere.
Someone is going to get an awesome car. One without any body work done. Wish I could get it at only 720 miles away. But I have a project already..lol
728 miles for me and about 12 hours.If my car I’m selling was gone I’d even roll the dice on it with more pics and info and have it shipped.
Where are you located at
I emailed him about 30 minutes ago. Unfortunately it was through craigslist email system. If he responds, I’m going to look at it. I’m about an hour and a half from there.
Good luck. Keep us posted. It sounds almost too good to be true.
Seems like a great deal on the outside. Rust works from the inside out. Strongly suggest whomever is interested to see in person. Hopefully vinyl top was taken off in time. GL.
I looked at a Chevelle in similar condition with a 350 small block and turbo 350 for the same money. This car is a real bargain.
Wow. 396 (well 402) and a 4 speed is a great combination. This does look like a great deal. Did you notice in the rear roof pic how the original stripes were under the original vinyl top, and whats left of them is a lot less faded than the stripes on the trunk. I never knew they did it like that. I always thought the stripes ended at the vinyl top line.
For the record,my dad started working at the Tonawanda engine plant in 1959 the year I was born. I have been hooked on cars since 5 yrs. I am a tool & die oem specialist. The over production of the 1969 yr was because of a labor strike at Tonawanda plant my dad was out of work for a year. Non union workers “scabs” as they were called ran the production. Quality dropped, strike over dad gets back to work, inspectors find rough over sized bores big problem long story short GM decides to make them a 402 instead of scraping a ton of cases as a kid I went to the open houses,they washed every case in huge washers, also ran in engines with natural gas a bonnet quick release on the carb adjusting settings my dad was a setup man on a machine a city block long did 30yrs and out at 60 great dad miss you. Long live the car hobby, tributes to hard workers, that make inspirational bonds and memories my 2 cents, Rich G
Good on your Dad, Rich.
Across “the ditch” in St Catharines the Engine plant and the old Axle plant poured lifeblood into the community. Good people making good products.
Sorry, but my spidey sense is tingling. This price is way too low for a complete ’70 SS396, regardless of the amount of rust it has. A burned out shell would sell for this.
Has anyone tried calling the number? I will bet you you will get some song about multiple offers and to make a highest and best (a phrase any recent home buyer knows and dreads) or this is a complete scam.
I got an email from seller, a buddy on Facebook in NC says it’s a scam
scaaaaaaaam
Pretty sure this one is a scam. Wont give address but wants a deposit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8H5stLEEiU8
looks like someone took pictures of this video Patrick did from 4 years ago and listed it for sale on craigslist. BEWARE…
I emailed him Saturday morning and he called me Saturday night. Told me the car belonged to his uncle and they had a lot of paperwork on it. He lives in Greer South Carolina. I asked him for more pictures and he said he would send them to me yesterday, and I never heard back. The number he called me from was a South Carolina number so it’s a mystery.
This car has been removed from Craigslist by the seller to bad I was gonna drive up and buy it tomorrow
Its a scam. Now posted on CL in Wyoming.
https://wyoming.craigslist.org/cto/d/rock-springs-1970-chevelle-ss/7679062728.html