Numbers-matching L34 396/350, auto, factory A/C, power windows, tilt, build sheet, receipts, Protect-O-Plate. Fantastic high-quality restoration of an awesome Chevelle with a bulletproof pedigree.
The car has benefitted from a detailed frame-off restoration to a very high standard. It has been repainted in its original Fathom Blue, which, interestingly enough, doesn’t show up on the cowl tag, which simply says XXXX but box 44 on the original build sheet does indeed show code 28 Fathom Blue, so it’s the right color. It’s deep and lustrous and thanks to a very expensive restoration, there are almost no faults on the bodywork. The quarters (which we believe to be original) are laser-straight and it fits together extremely well. Proper white SS stripes were installed and yes, the cowl-induction hood is fully operational. The car also includes a very unusual blue vinyl top (code C), not black, which is also correct according to the build sheet. It looks fantastic, don’t be swayed by all the garden-variety cars you see everywhere else. This blue-on-blue SS is absolutely going to knock them out.
The black interior is beautifully finished using correct reproduction seat covers, new carpets, proper SS door panels and all the other little details that make these cars so appealing. It’s luxurious and sporting at the same time. Buckets and a console were not standard on the SS, remarkably enough, but this car has both, plus the aforementioned N33 tilt steering column, A31 power windows, and C60 air conditioning, all of which are likewise listed on the build sheet. The A/C has been freshly serviced and blows cold, the gauges and lights are all functional, and there’s a beautiful horseshoe shifter in the console for the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission underneath. A factory AM/FM stereo radio is in the dash, but it is sadly not operational, but that seems to be the lone component that isn’t working. You also get a properly finished trunk with spatter paint, no signs of previous damage, and a full-sized spare with cover and jack assembly.
It’s powered by its original, numbers-matching L34 396 cubic inch V8, which was rated at 350 potent horsepower. It was the most powerful engine you could get in 1970 and still get such niceties as A/C, making it a great combination on the street. The engine was rebuilt to stock specs and runs great, turn the key and it fires right up and doesn’t seem to have any cold idle issues. Out on the road, of course it has plenty of torque and I find that the combination of big block torque and an automatic transmission is a good one, making the car far more formidable when the driver doesn’t have to worry about missing a shift. You’ll also note that the entire engine bay has been detailed for show and is extremely crisp and sharp. Details from the Chevy Orange paint to the correct cowl induction air cleaner to the tower hose clamps all make it look like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Reproduction decals were used throughout and there’s even a tag on the battery, which uses a tar top “topper” to give it a period look. As I mentioned, the A/C has been serviced, and even though it uses R134a refrigerant inside, they disguised the fittings so there’s no obvious tip-off. It’s really nicely done.
The undercarriage is equally clean, and while it shows a few very minor signs of use, it has exactly zero issues. It’s not quite detailed for show, but it does carry the right TH400 3-speed automatic transmission and a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end with 3.31 gears on a Posi limited slip inside. A Flowmaster dual exhaust system sounds spectacular and the system terminates in angle-cut tips that are not correct but still look cool. You’ll note that the floors are spotless and so well done that I’m inclined to believe they’re original, not welded-in replacement (if they are, I can’t find the cut lines), and everything under there is new, including lines, hoses, brakes, and suspension components. Beautiful factory SS wheels are a fantastic look and carry proper Goodyear F70-14 Polyglas tires.
This car is heavily documented with the original build sheet, owner’s manual, warranty booklet with Protect-O-Plate intact, ownership documentation dating back decades (it appears that it spent much of its life in Oregon), restoration receipts, as well as a display board with copies of all the important stuff so you can show it off at events.
This is one of those Chevelles that gets everything right: pedigree, options, colors, and condition. It’s just a few notches away from being ready to show, but it runs so well and is so much fun to drive, it would kind of be a shame to turn it into a trailer queen. That’s probably a dilemma we’d all like to have, especially when the car in question is as fantastic as this Chevelle. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
