1970 Chevelle SS History

1970 Chevelle SS History

At the peak of the muscle car war between the big-four, Chevrolet steps up and brings out the 1970 Chevelle SS roaring to be let go..with now breathing under its hood, the largest powerplant offering ever in its few years of existence, the ultimate in raw power, the LS6 - 454 cid / 450 bhp, the "baddest" engine Chevrolet would ever install in a Chevelle. Welcome to the SS 454.

The exterior sheet metal is redesigned for 1970 and now has a rounder more sleek appearance. The "C" pillars take on a more square shape, the front fenders and rear quarter panels receive a subtle flare job, the front sees a revamped four-headlight system housed in rounder shaped chromed vessels, the hood stretches out and arches down at the front to line up with a bolder looking split and blacked out grille. The rear tail lights become rectangular in shape and are mounted on the rear chrome bumper sporting blacked-out inserts. Racing stripes on the hood and trunk panel are also available.

This year's look is recognized as possibly the nicest looking Chevelle ever produced, and if coupled with the LS6 option package and a four-speed, it is one of the most sought after muscle cars of all time.

The 1970 SS 396 and the new SS 454 option packages are once more offered to both the convertible and Sport Coupe models. The SS 396 (Z25) costs an additional $445.55 and comes standard with the L35 - 402 cid / 350 bhp rat motor, a beefed-up suspension (F41), front disc brakes and a special domed hood. For more power you may opt for the optional L34 engine, 402 cid / 375 bhp.

The SS 454 package (Z15) at $503.45 over base price comes standard with the LS5 - 454 cid / 360 bhp engine, and includes such items as a dual exhaust system finished off with chrome tips, beefed up heavy-duty suspension, raised white letter tires, wheel opening moldings and power assisted front disc brakes.

Now, if you just had to have the ultimate muscle car and were willing to spend the extra bucks (over $1,000), but more importantly if you were gutsy enough and unafraid of scary rides, the optional LS6 - 454 cid / 450 horsepower was for you. This unique engine produced 11.25 compression, had special heads with 1.88 inch exhaust and 2.19 inch intake valves, solid lifters, high-lift performance camshaft and a 4-bbl. Holley carburetor. It delivered an impressive 450 bhp @5,600 rpm and 500 lb-ft Torque @3600 rpm.

Transmission choices were the M40 - three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic and the M21 - Muncie four-speed manual. Both are strong heavy duty units, and have proven over the years to be capable of handling all that excessive power.