Frame Off Restored Chevelle SS LS6 454/450 HP 4 Speed

If you're buying a car to enjoy, the driving experience is a huge part of the decision. Build sheets, Protect-O-Plates, certificates of authenticity – they're all great to have but none of them make the car better, tighter, or faster. They also command a pretty serious premium. If you've dreamed of ripping through the gears in an LS6 Chevelle but just can't bring yourself to finance $100k+ to make that vision a reality, this 1970 Chevelle SS is the perfect option. It looks the part, sounds the part, and, best of all, feels the part. Driven just 1,800 miles since its frame-off restoration, this fully sorted big block car is one you can have a blast with and display proudly whenever you feel like stopping. If you're looking for the best of both worlds, this A-body is calling your name.

There was no shortage of great color options for the 1970 Chevelle but it's hard to argue the effect Cranberry Red has on their sturdy lines. This car left GM's Atlanta line wearing that very color and has been re-sprayed in the same hue. The paintwork looks great overall, topped with black Super Sport stripes and buried under a layer or two of clear coat. It's a shine that enamel just can't offer and the durability can't be beat. Zoom in on fitment and the car continues to impress. Shut lines look great all around and the rocker panels, doors, and fenders actually work well with each other. That seems to be a pretty common problem area in these cars, so its assuring to see it addressed. It's a great first impression sure to lure you in for a closer look.

That iconic profile is filled in by a plethora of pristine components. The front end starts with a crossbar grille which features a center-mounted bowtie and dual chrome-seated T3 headlights at either side. One of the best parts of driving these cars is watching the flapper door open when the loud pedal meets the floor and, thanks to the cowl induction hood, you can enjoy that thrill with this A-body. The hood is held in place by stainless hood pins for a race-friendly look. In the greenhouse, the glass presents well, surrounded by well-preserved trim and malleable new weather-stripping while a chrome driver side mirror provides some perspective. The side profile offers low-slung corner markers, bright wheel molding, crisp “SS 454” badges, and chrome door handles. Out back, the decklid slopes into a 1970-exclusive taillight panel with rectangular taillights and a right-justified SS badge. All these pieces add up to one of the most feared facades of the decade.

Of course, the centerpiece here is the 454ci V8 built to LS6 specs. If you're going to create an homage to the LS6, sourcing a proper 3963512 block is a great first step. This is the real deal and it's dressed in Chevy orange paint and topped with cast heads, an aluminum Winters intake manifold, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor tucked underneath the single-snorkel air cleaner. The accessory drive turns a fairly light load with just an open-face alternator and an original smog system borrowing big block power. A Harrison-style radiator works alongside a single fan to keep the bay cool while cast iron exhaust manifolds carry spent gases to a true dual exhaust system with factory-style resonators. From the 454/450hp decals on the air cleaner assembly to the chrome valve covers, all the standard pieces are here, surrounded by details like a reproduction Delco battery case, GM hoses, and replicated inspection marks. It may not have been born as an LS6 car, but it definitely looks the part now.

Underneath the Chevelle, satin black floors, finished frame rails and fresh hardware add up to an attractive and show-worthy undercarriage. In the center, a Muncie four-speed resides in a 661 case stamped with P (Muncie) 0 (1970) D15 (April 15th) B (M21). It's not original to the car but the dates are certainly good enough to be called “period-correct”. Follow the driveshaft back and a correct 12-bolt rear end can be found sending power to the rear wheels through 3.55 gears. Around the drivetrain, the suspension has been rebuilt to F41 specifications with a stiffer spring rate up front, and a combination of boxed lower control arms and the optional rear sway bar out back. The additional handling capabilities are further aided by direct manual steering and power brakes that clamp down on discs up front and drums at the rear. At the corners, Firestone G70x14 Wide Oval tires wrap around pristine Super Sport wheels, completing the classic look with style.

Featuring a host of new components, and decked in classic black vinyl, this coupe's correctly restored interior is both comfortable and inviting. Its slick front bucket and rear bench seats, which feature embossed weave patterns that were designed to keep passenger's backs cool, show hardly any signs of wear. In front of those seats, a straight and crack-free dash hangs a deluxe Chevelle gauge cluster above correct climate controls and an original AM stereo. Below that dash, fresh black carpet, which is protected by rugged rubber floor mats, centers a chrome Muncie shifter inside an attractive, stainless-trimmed console. At the sides of that carpet, clean door panels hang spotless stainless trim, prerequisite SS emblems and pliable armrests in front of optional power windows and rare power door locks. In front of the driver, a black-rimmed Rally wheel keeps everything pointed in the right direction. Behind the rear seats, a nicely finished trunk space offers a new mat, proper decals, a full-size spare, and factory-provided roadside tools.

The sale of this fearsome A-body includes a stack of restoration pictures that highlight most of the major steps in detail.

At roughly half the cost and twice the fun of a numbers matching piece, this killer Chevelle is the total package. With a powerful 454, a Muncie 4-speed and a first class restoration, it's a fully-sorted classic that virtually spells the term “bragging rights”. If you're ready to add some fresh firepower to your automotive arsenal, don't miss the chance to take home this pristine Chevrolet legend!