Introduced in 1964 as a competitor for the downsized Ford Fairlane, the Chevrolet Chevelle got a significant redesign for the 1968 model year. The upgrade also moved it deeper into muscle car territory thanks to a pair of new V8 engines.
Already a regular in the Super Sport model since 1965, the 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) big-block was carried over for 1968 and 1969. In 1970, however, Chevrolet increased displacement to 402 cubic inches (6.6 liters) while keeping the “396” denomination and badges.
The six-cubic-inch (0.1-liter) increase brought more horsepower to the table. The output of the entry-level SS 396 jumped from 325 to 350 horsepower, while the L34 version came with an extra 25 horses on tap for a 375-horsepower rating.
Chevrolet also introduced a pair of even larger, 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) big-block mills. The LS5 generated 360 horsepower, while the range-topping LS6 became the most potent V8 of its era at 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of twist. The latter spawned the SS 454 LS6, arguably the most desirable Chevelles ever built.
The car you see here is not one of those 4,475 LS6s produced in 1970, but it’s still an SS and one of those cool survivors that emerged out of long-term storage. An L34 car, this SS 396 was recently discovered in a basement in Cincinnati, Ohio. It sat for over 30 years and was brought back into the light with several issues.
Documented by 1970 Chevelle SS expert Patrick Glenn Nichols, the car is now undergoing a frame-off restoration somewhere in central Kentucky. The car is now dismantled, but it’s pretty complete, besides the missing door panels. The original transmission is also gone, but the original 402 V8 is still with the Chevelle, albeit needing a complete rebuild to run again.
So don’t let the fact that it’s pretty much a real-life puzzle right now, this SS 396 is on its way to becoming a stunning classic. And once it’s finished, the Cranberry Red paint, white vinyl roof, and white interior will shine like new.
How rare is a 1970 Chevelle SS 396? Well, of the 62,375 SS models built in 1970, 53,599 left the factory with a 402-cubic-inch V8, so these rigs are anything but scarce. However, the engine and color combo make it a Chevelle you won’t see very often nowadays.
Because while Chevy made quite a few red convertibles with white tops, few owners opted for light-colored hardtop roofs with matching stripes. White interiors are also scarce compared to black. This car may not be worth much in this condition, but it may be worth more than $100,000 once restored.