Featured in this article is a beautiful 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS, a very popular muscle car from General Motors.
The 1970 Chevelle SS is arguably one of the most identifiable and most desirable muscle cars from the muscle car era. The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1978 model years.
Buyers could get their 1970 Chevelle in styles ranging from a sport coupe, sport sedan, convertible, four-door sedan, and a couple of versions of station wagons.
General Motors, prior to 1970, had a corporate restriction on the size of engines that could be place in it’s mid-sized cars. The maximum displacement was 400 cubic inches.
The Chevelle was redesigned in 1968. The rear of the vehicle was shorter and the hood was longer. This gave the Chevelle a fastback appearance. Along with this, the wheelbase was shortened by three inches. Because of the recent 1968 redesign there were very few changes for 1969 and 1970.
Chevrolet’s SS models represented their entry into the muscle car wars. The SS models had their own selection of powerful engines.
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS Specifications
There were several engines available for the 1970 Chevy Chevelle. These included the standard 250 cubic inch six cylinder with 155 HP. Also a 200 HP 307 cubic inch V8.
There was also a pair of 350 cubic inch V8s with four barrel carburetors that delivered 250 and 300 horsepower. Of special significance is that General Motors rescinded the 400 cubic inch ceiling on intermediate sized cars for 1970. As a result, Chevrolet came out with three different 402 cubic inch engines. Horsepower ranged from 330 to 375. The 1970 model year also saw the introduction of the 454 cubic inch V-8. Thar particular engine was only available with the RPO Z15 SS Equipment option.
These included a three and four speed manual and a Power-Glide three speed automatic. The four speed manual and three speed automatic were optional.
Brakes included front discs and rear drums.
Dimensions of the vehicle includes a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 201.2 inch overall length, 75.3 inch width, 53.2 inch height.
1970 Chevelle SS production numbers totaled 62,372 vehicles. 53,599 came equipped with the 396 CID V8 while 8,773 came equipped with the 454 CID V8.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material for this article included…The Complete Book of Classic Chevrolet Muscle Cars: 1955-1974 by Mike Mueller…COPO Camaro, Chevelle & Nova: Chevrolet’s Ultimate Muscle Cars by Matt Avery.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Collector Car
The 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS is currently a very popular collector car and represents some of the better pony cars that were produced. Values for 1970 Chevelle SS depend on the condition, rarity, options, originality, and if the example has a numbers matching drive train.
As a side note, to determine if you’re looking at an actual Super Sport model check the VIN located on a plate in the driver-side door jamb.
1970 Chevy Chevelle’s vary a lot in recent selling prices but clearly the SS examples have the most value by far. Excellent restored SS models can be found in a range from about $70,000 to $175,000 depending on specific engines and matching numbers.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)