Vehicle Description
If you're the kind of guy who only likes shiny cars, well, it's
time to move on. But if you are one of those sophisticated
collectors who understands how important originality has become in
today's marketplace, this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 is a very
special car. A matching-numbers survivor with just 45,157 original
miles, it's the very definition of what "original" should mean.
That's factory-applied Cranberry Red paint on almost every square
inch of this Chevelle's bodywork. Is it a little faded with a few
signs of use and age? Of course! But the fact that it has survived
nearly 50 years in such condition is a real testament to the care
it has received over the years. Better still, original paint means
that there are no nasty surprises hiding from you, no rust, no
botched bondo work, no questionable repairs in the past. If factory
sheetmetal and factory quality matter to you, this car nails it. It
should also lay to rest that these cars were perfect from the
factory, because the gaps are OK but not amazing, which is just how
it was built in 1970. The chrome and stainless is likewise quite
nice but also a good example of what production plating looked
like, and it wasn't perfect. People are tired of row after row of
perfectly restored cars, but an all-original Chevelle SS? Just wait
until you see the crowds this car attracts! You just have to be man
enough to drive a less than perfect car, your buddies' comments
notwithstanding. With a car like this, you either get it or you
don't.
The interior is also almost entirely original save for a set of
reproduction seat covers on the front buckets and the carpets. But
a quick glance inside will reveal that this is an original bucket
seat 4-speed car with nothing to hide. The steering wheel, dash
pad, and door panels are excellent and the headliner, for being 47
years old, is amazing. This car doesn't have the optional gauge
package, so someone has added a tach on the steering column and
auxiliary gauges under the dash, which are harmless upgrades that
make it more fun to drive. The original (and rare) AM/8-track radio
is still in the dash and it's probably worth rebuilding and
reinstalling rather than replacing, just to keep everything
authentic. The trunk is likewise well preserved and with zero rust
issues, and includes a full-sized spare tire that probably dates to
the early '70s.
That's the original, numbers-matching L34 396 cubic inch V8 with
350 horsepower. Original decals are still clinging to the cowl
induction air cleaner and that's factory Chevy Orange paint on the
block. It looks like the alternator has been rebuilt, but otherwise
it's completely stock and original, including the factory 4-barrel
Rochester carb. It runs the way only a low-mileage original engine
does, with a smoothness that's hard to duplicate. Cast iron exhaust
manifolds lead to a replacement exhaust system with glasspack-style
mufflers that have probably been there since 1978, and it's
equipped with the good stuff: M21 4-speed close-ratio manual
transmission, F41 performance suspension, G94 3.31 gears inside a
12-bolt rear end, and exactly zero rust. Dirty and grungy? Yep.
Rusty? No way! This sucker is solid and clean. Even the original SS
wheels remain in place, now wearing a set of 225/70/14 white letter
radials.
Documentation includes a build sheet so you know this car is legit,
and with a lifetime in South Carolina and Georgia, it's not a rust
bucket. If you appreciate originality and are the sort who
understands why untouched cars are special, this Chevelle is an
amazing find. Call today!