1970 Chevrolet Documented Restored Chevelle SS 396 4Spd

If you have been paying attention for the past few weeks, the car market is on its way up again. Big sales in Arizona, and the quality of the cars were seeing lately is improving all the time. Collectors are realizing that the best cars deserve high-quality restorations, and when they're special cars, it's doubly important to document and authenticate them as well. Chevelles (and other GM products of this vintage) are notoriously difficult to document and often easy to forge, so if you're looking for a big block SS, you really need to stay on your toes.

Or you could just buy this gorgeous 1970 SS396 and call it done.

Documented is one word for this car, which comes with build sheets, receipts and restoration photos. There's also no question that it is a real SS, not a clone, and has been restored with an eye towards authenticity. And the Cranberry Red with white top and interior is one of the most stunning combinations we have in the showroom today. You can't help but notice this incredible A-body when you walk past.

Looking at the trim tag tells you a lot about this car, most notably that it has been correctly restored with Code 75 Cranberry Red exterior paint and a code A white vinyl top. The bodywork doesn't cut any corners, and while the restorer admits that repairs to the sheet metal were made, they're well done and virtually impossible to detect. Panel gaps are very good, particularly the doors and hood, which are notoriously difficult to get right. The paint is two-stage urethane, and the white SS stripes have been expertly applied to match the original configuration. Like I said, this is an extremely eye-catching Chevelle.

Chrome and trim was likewise restored to as new or better, with brilliant chrome bumpers front and rear. A lot of enthusiasts seem to prefer the 1970 front end, with the black grilles split by the body-colored bar wearing SS emblems. In fact, all the SS emblems on this car, plus the ‘Chevelle by Chevrolet’ badge on the trunk, are exact reproductions of the originals. The white vinyl top shows no discoloration or stains.

Pop the cowl induction hood and you'll find the Generals stalwart L34 big block V8, making 350 horsepower in this configuration. Although they still called it a 396, it actually displaced 402 cubic inches in 1970, but who was counting? This one has been fully rebuilt and runs very well. Factory A/C is part of the deal on this SS, along with a highly detailed engine bay that is designed to compete. Chevy orange on the block, chrome valve covers, and that big cowl induction air cleaner are all standard equipment on the SS396, and it's all probably a lot nicer than it was when it was new. Power steering and brakes will be appreciated when you put this bright red SS on the road, and all the small things that judges check, like the hose clamps and the felt under the battery cables on the reproduction Delco battery, has already been taken care of for you. All you need to do is take it to a show and collect your trophy.

Underneath, it's ready to go, with a rebuilt Muncie M22 4-speed manual driving a 12-bolt full of acceleration-friendly 4.10 gears. The floors are finished as beautifully as the body, and while I don't think they actually wet-sanded and polished the paint, it's awfully shiny. Paint daubs dot the suspension showing that critical parts have been tightened and that the restorer did his homework, and a correct chambered exhaust system gives a 100% authentic sound. A new gas tank, spiral shocks, and fresh brakes all around make this one drive like a new car. It rides on a set of 14-inch SS wheels wearing reproduction F70-14 Goodyear Polyglas bias-ply tires.

The interior is a brilliant contrast (literally, the white seats against the black carpet are stunning) between performance and luxury. The bucket seats and console give the driver's compartment a sporty feel, but the Chevelles generous size and upscale options like A/C make it so much more comfortable than your average bracket racer. As with the rest of the car, the interior has been properly restored to new condition using top-quality reproduction components. The seats obviously have new foam underneath, because they're firm and comfortable, not worn and flabby. The covers are sparkling, and match the door panels perfectly. Overhead, the headliner is taut and wrinkle-free, while the black carpets don't even show any signs of dust or dirt, let alone wear. The SS steering wheel looks great with its aluminum spokes, and the dash is full of SS-exclusive gauges with green backlighting. Detailing for show has extended into this area, too, with reproduction tags on the visor and lighter, as if the car were still sitting on the dealers showroom floor. In addition to A/C, this car also includes an AM/FM radio, still somewhat of a rarity in 1970. The trunk is well finished with a new mat, full-size spare with cover, and a restored jack setup.

There are quite a few documents with this one, too. The original owner's manual is here, along with a dealer price schedule for custom accessories that were available with the 1970 Chevelles. Proving that this car came with an AM/FM radio, there's the original card that details satisfactory operation of the FM receiver. We also have not one, but two broadcast sheets for this car, laying to rest any speculation that it isn't a real SS.

With today's market stabilizing for top cars; it just makes sense to restore the right cars to top condition like this Chevelle SS. This car does everything right, from the show-quality paint to the obsessive detailing on the chassis, and wraps it all in a bright Cranberry Red wrapper. With documents, factory A/C, and a 4-speed, the upside doesn't get much brighter, and this is a car you can show confidently at any level. Call now!