The Chevrolet Chevelle, which debuted in 1964 as a rival to the scaled-down Ford Fairlane, underwent a considerable facelift for the 1968 model year. Thanks to a pair of new V8 engines, the upgrade also brought it closer to the realm of muscle cars. The 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) big-block, which had been a fixture in the Super Sport model since 1965, was maintained for 1968 and 1969. However, Chevrolet kept the “396” designation and badges while increasing displacement to 402 cubic inches (6.6 liters) in 1970.
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.
The 1970 Chevelle SS is now undergoing a frame-off restoration somewhere in central Kentucky, as documented by 1970 Chevelle SS specialist Patrick Glenn Nichols. With the exception of the missing door panels, the car is essentially complete despite being disassembled. The original 402 V8 is still with the Chevelle, despite needing a complete rebuild to function once more. The original transmission, however, is no longer there.
Therefore, despite the fact that it currently resembles a real-world puzzle, the SS 396 is poised to become a gorgeous classic. The Cranberry Red paint, white vinyl roof, and white inside will all sparkle once it is finished.
A 1970 Chevelle SS 396 is how uncommon? Since 53,599 of the 62,375 SS models produced in 1970 were equipped with a 402-cubic-inch V8, these vehicles are by no means rare. But it’s a Chevelle you won’t see very often these days because of the engine and color combination.
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. Until that happens, check it out in its current state in the video below.