I’ll be the first one to tell you that I wasn’t thrilled upon seeing the pictures of this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS for the first time. But after learning that all the documentation was present to prove that it was real it became a lot more interesting. The SS is located in Marion, Indiana and is being sold here on eBay. The seller says there is a buy it now of $5,500 and bidding is up to $3,400 with no reserve showing.
The ad states that the (originally) Cranberry Red car was delivered by an Indianapolis Chevrolet dealer to an Earl Carothers in May of 1970. Many of the options listed on the original build sheet are still present, but I’ll give you the bad news; the original 396 4-barrel V8, 12-bolt rear axle and hood are not with the car anymore.
The seller tells us that the car will require a new floor pan, fenders, inner fenders, core support, and several other items. Some used but usable sheet metal is included with the sale but you’ll need to purchase some replacement items as well to restore the car. All of it is readily available from several suppliers.
Surprisingly, the dash isn’t bad (one area of concern) and the cowl area is “real solid”. One of the nice things about restoring a popular car like this one is that reproduction parts are out there to be purchased, so as long as you don’t mind some cutting and welding this car is restorable by the home enthusiast. It just takes a lot of time!
Pardon the sideways picture but I wanted to get in all the detail provided by the seller. I suppose you could patch the floor, but I’d want to do it properly with a full pan. This car was originally equipped with the F41 suspension and it is all there, along with the disc brakes and the original Turbo 400 transmission. As the seller says — “why buy a clone?” At the same time, without the original engine, how much is this a clone when you complete the car? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Hi Jamie–.love your comment- “some cutting and welding”. Lol..not for the faint of heart. Honest seller. Least it has a title.
Good luck to the new owner..
I foresee someone rebodying a Malibu with this cars VIN.
Steve R
Exactly what I was thinking! Do you know how many rare muscle cars are done that way? This car for example. To rebuild it, I would say that the majority of the sheet metal would need to be replaced. The firewall and package tray may be the only parts left!
So with that in mind, to re-body the VIN Tag, what’s the difference?? If you had a rust free, desert body, you would have the factory spot welds…if there where spacific brackets on an “authentic” body, then weld those in.. being paticular on the correct amount, type and placement or the welds.
That’s my theroy on the subject!
Thanks Men,
Chris Kennedy
Your theory is correct. Or even better, a new Dynacorn body.
I would bet that a good percentage of the Chevelles and Camaros from this era on the road today fall into this category.
As much as I loath that practice, you hit the nail on the head. For a car that needs this much work, what’s really the difference? All the body panels – and pretty much everything else on the car – are going to be new or replacements anyway. How are a collection of panels and pans from Year One or eBay any different than an assembled body from Dynacorn or a donor car?
This is why I if I was going to shell out big money for one of these, I would make sure it was all original, even if it was a little worn out.
One of my friends has a restoration shop that mainly does Camaros, he said the Dynacorn bodies aren’t exact duplicates. There are slight tweaks hear and there, mainly to the underside. The point is, they aren’t really suitable for a true restoration project, they are better suited for a high end Pro Touring style build or something similar.
By the way, he wouldn’t go anywhere near a car like this, not for himself or a customer.
Steve R
That’s illegal anywhere you go.
Hahaha.. Oh i thought it was april fools day.
The best thing about this car to me is its factory color. And even that will probably be changed to Cruise Night Red.
Unlucky car as the horse shoe of the auto horse shoe shift is missing 👀😜🙃😮
Unlucky car as the horse shoe of the auto horse shoe shift is missing 👀😜🙃😮
It’s rough but buildable
“Why buy a clone?”…..because you pay less, can jump in and drive it not having to have mortgaged your home awaiting a 3-4 year restoration and don’t have to lose sleep worrying about a Kleenex possibly coming into contact and scratching the paint. Times have changed.
More than likely a fully restored car will be mistaken for a clone to the normal observer…… if one has to park it to display a placard that says otherwise it’s time to re-evaluate the value placed on these rust bucket originals. To each their own. If one has the time, passion and finances to return this car to its formal glory than they should go for it. But don’t be shocked if people still ask…is it original?
The biggest thing this `70 Chevelle has going for it? “Year One”. etc. has all the replacement sheetmetal and interior parts you need to restore this!! From taillamps and rear bumper rubber “SS” insert to the T-3 headlamps, carpet, seats and engine needs, it can be done. Again!
EEK!!!…
The average tire kicker will snicker, mock it & pass, but it IS salvageable. It is ALSO likely someone will have a donor vehicle and combine the 2, or rebody it..
We have 2 Malibus, a 68 & 69 and while they are not getting built quickly we have a reasonable budget and doing 95% of the work ourselves. A DIY person can manage this just fine.
Personally I would buy a date code correct block and stash it for the resale value to someone who cares, But if you want to drive it snag a 454 out of a Suburban, hot rod it, put 396 stickers on it and call it good. But the best drivers are small block cars for many reasons, but for all the codes and specs this one has, it probably should stay big block.
Chevelles are investment quality projects. Check book restorers probably wont take this on that that is OKAY by me!
(Move on people, these are not the droids you are looking for)
I’m not really sure that’s its a real SS, the is no black rubber pan on the rear bumper.
WOW What a Pos what a waste of money do you’re self a favor and buy a better car
There are so many better cars to buy you should really look at a mopar they are cool
Another cockroach money pit. Isn’t there anything decent out there?