In September 2023, I told you about a really cool 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle that emerged into the light after decades in storage. Discovered by Chevelle specialist Patrick Glenn Nichols, the Chevy had spent a whopping 45 years in storage. Nearly a has passed since we saw it for the first time, and the hardtop is now running and driving.
Why is this a big deal? Well, we’re not talking about a rusty barn find. Even though it was hidden for more than four decades, this Chevelle emerged in almost flawless condition, with solid paint, an impressively nice interior, and a numbers-matching engine. What’s more, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill Chevelle. You’re looking at an SS 454 LS6, a holy-grail classic.
The LS6 was introduced for the 1970 model year with a beefed-up version of GM’s 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8 engine. Based on the LS5, the LS6 mill featured a host of upgrades, including a four-barrel Holley carburetor that pushed output to 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of torque. Not only was it the most potent powerplant in GM vehicles, but it was also the most powerful engine of the golden muscle car era. For reference, Chrysler’s 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI came with 425 horses and 490 pound-feet (664 Nm) on tap.
The LS6 was discontinued in 1971, making it a one-year wonder. Moreover, because it was an expensive upgrade that added a 28% premium to the regular Chevelle, it was sold in small numbers. Chevrolet delivered 4,475 units in 1970, a figure that also includes El Camino pickups. There are no records of how many were hardtop Chevelles, but most experts agree fewer than 3,500 were produced.
Back to the example you see here, it’s a bit special thanks to its production date. Patrick says it’s the earliest known Chevelle 454 LS6 with an M22 gearbox assembled at the Baltimore, Maryland, factory. It also features a small-block tach, a known factory mistake in early 1970 Chevelles. Finally, it was sold through the famous Byrne Brothers Chevrolet dealership in White Plains, New York.
Both the V8 and the transmission are numbers-matching, so this Chevelle is a full-fledged survivor. However, the color/stripe combo adorning it isn’t. This car was born as a Tuxedo Black example with white stripes, but a previous owner chose to repaint it. And he went with a color combo that wasn’t available at the time: dark red with orange stripes.
While I can’t say it bothers me visually, I agree this Chevelle should be returned to its factory colors. Especially since white-striped black examples are highly desirable nowadays. Until that happens, you can see it running for the first time in decades. Parked in 1977, the Chevelle was rescued in 2022 and didn’t have its engine revived until 2024. That’s a whopping 47 years!