eBay Listing: Restored 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport Convertible
No doubt the early seventies was the peak period of American muscle cars. It was a time in the world before the energy crisis stifled the quest for more horsepower and the Big Three were battling for muscle car King of the Hill. The progress made in the sixties and early seventies was exemplified extremely well by the Chevrolet Chevelle. The 1968-1972 Chevelle was quite simply as good as it gets. Sure there might have been others muscle cars with more power, or torque, or plastic front grilles, or gimmicks, but the Chevelle was a low down dirty street fighting machine. It was honest in its approach of being the Chevy that anyone could love. It shared its body style with similar vintage Malibus and El Caminos, but despite those relatively humble stablemates, this car was a big time king of the road in 1970. In fact it still is.
A factory-original 1970 Chevelle SS 454, in Tuxedo Black with a blood red interior just seemed too good to be true, and we wondered about how original this one could be. Was it a mirage or was it the real deal? We had to know for sure. Finding a numbers matching 450 horsepower LS6 454 big block, 4-speed manual Chevelle SS convertible, with this color combination and museum level condition, is like hitting the jackpot on a million dollar slot machine. It is something that rarely happens, and when it does, you thank God, or the stars, or whatever you believe in, that cars like this still exist. But, like many of us, if you cannot afford a honest-to-goodness survivor Chevelle, which is beyond many people’s price brackets, a tribute car is the next best thing.
What is this tribute car? It is essentially a car that was originally purchased without all the desirable options. In this case, the Chevelle was not originally equipped from the factory with the LS6 454 V8 engine and Muncie 4-speed transmission. It might have had a smaller engine or been a non-SS model.
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Faithfully, the builder removed the original drivetrain and updated the mechanicals with top-of-the-range engine, transmission, rear differential, and other parts that were available as upgrade options for the ’70 Chevelle. Is it 100 percent original? No, but the end result can be a faithful tribute car to the 1970 Super Sport LS6 equipped Chevelle. While this convertible may not be OEM original to the die-hard muscle car enthusiasts, the average person on the street would not know it to be anything but a Chevelle in pristine show condition.
When we first saw this car, despite our initial skepticism, our jaw dropped. The first thought to pop in our mind was, “Wow… That car is sexy!!!” Then we reminisced about how they really don’t build them like that anymore. From the expertly sculpted body, to the glossy paintwork, to the wonderful restoration work, we realized there was just a lot right with this car. Almost everything was exactly how most would have optioned a similar Chevelle in 1970.
If given the keys to this car, we’d drive it proudly around town and do what Chevelle convertibles like this one are made to do best - show it off to everyone because this Chevelle is something many people will covet. Next month this supreme Chevelle SS tribute will be at the 13th annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance - opens in new window or tab. (HHIMF) courtesy of RK Motors Charlotte.
About the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance:
The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance will celebrate its thirteenth year in the fall of 2014. The Festival kicks off with the Savannah Speed Classic, October 24 – 26, on the Grand Prize of America road course situated on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. The festivities will continue on Hilton Head Island, SC, November 1 – 2, at Port Royal Golf Club where the Concours d’Elegance (November 2) will take center stage. Motoring Festival Partners for the 2014 Festival include the Port Royal Golf Club, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, BMW Group, Porsche, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mingledorff’s Inc., Savannah/Hilton Head International, Hargray, The Island, the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Visit Savannah. For more information, visit www.HHIMotoringFestival.com - opens in new window or tab. online, or via Twitter: @HHIMotoringFest.
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About the author
Neil J. Helfgot
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.
