Chevrolet built close to 634,000 Chevelles for the 1970 model year, out of which over 62,000 units rolled off the assembly lines with the SS tags. However, only 8,700 of them were powered by the almighty 454 (7.4-liter) V8 rated at 360 horsepower in the standard version.
The icing on the cake for this model year was the LS6 version, which produced no more, no less than 450 horsepower thanks to a four-barrel Holley carburetor. The GM brand produced some 4,500 units with this powerplant, so it’s safe to say that only a few of them are still around.
This 1970 Chevelle that someone recently listed on Craigslist isn’t one of them but could become one if the next owner is the hero it’s been dreaming about likely for decades.
I can’t help but start with the thing that everybody can see in the photo gallery. This Chevelle comes in horrible condition. I really can’t understand how a human being can leave a car parked under the clear sky, see it every day, and ignore the rust slowly but surely turning an iconic model into a useless pile of metal.
That’s exactly what this Chevelle has become: a pile of metal whose future is uncertain, as its condition is likely to make many potential buyers walk away.
The engine is missing, but I think this is actually good news. A powerplant would have hardly survived such awful conditions, so instead of getting a locked-up unit, you’re provided with a lot of fresh air under the hood. This leaves the door open for a restomod, and if you can get your hands on a 454, just go for it.
The owner says this Chevelle has been sitting under a tarp for many years, and you can tell this is true, as the rusty body is an indication of a long tenure outside. The front end is off, but on the other hand, the car is full of parts.
It’s hard to tell if anything is missing because you’d have to inspect the pile yourself, but checking out everything in person is probably the best thing you can do as a potential buyer.
The owner seems to believe that a restoration project is still possible, as long as you’re brake enough to try to put the car back together.