1970 Chevy Chevelle Convertible Headed To Monterey Auction
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Debuting for the 1964 model year, the Chevy Chevelle was built to compete with the Ford Fairlane as Chevy’s mid-size A-body entry. The Chevelle, whose name was taken from either French or Hebrew (depending who you ask) for “bold and beautiful,” quickly became one of Chevy’s best sellers. Throughout the 1960s, the V8-powered Chevelle convertibles and coupes would become powerhouses in the muscle car pantheon.
As the 1970 model year neared, federal emissions and fuel economy standards threatened to put an end to the big horsepower muscle car fun. Add insurance companies balking at insuring young drivers in cars that were more powerful with each passing year, and the writing was on the wall. Rather than curtailing muscle car power, GM pulled out all the stops for 1970, removing their internal edict limiting mid-size passenger car engine displacement to 400 cubic inches. For Chevrolet, this meant stuffing brutal 454 cube Big Block engines under the Chevy Chevelle’s hood.
The 1970 Chevy Chevelle offered two different versions of the 454, the LS5 and the legendary LS6. The LS5 brought 360 horsepower and a massive 500 pound-feet of torque. These were incredible figures until you looked at the monstrous LS6. The iron block LS6 featured 11.25:1 compression, solid lifters, a radically aggressive cam, and was fed by a Holley 800CFM carb sitting on an aluminum Winters intake. It was rated at 450 horses and 510 pound-feet, but those who would know claimed the true output was more like 500 horsepower. The LS5 and the LS6 could be paired with either a heavy-duty four-speed Muncie manual or three-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Our feature 1970 Chevy Chevelle convertible is finished in brilliant Cranberry Red with white SS stripes, white convertible top, and a red vinyl bucket seat interior. It is equipped with a center console, tilt steering, power brakes, power steering, SS suspension, cowl induction hood, Strato bucket seats, SS badging, and an aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo with four speakers. Powering the Chevelle is a replacement 454 Big Block LS5 engine backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. The Chevelle rides on five spoke SS wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich Radial T/A rubber.
This 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS convertible will sell at the Mecum Auctions Monterey, California event taking place August 15th through the 17th.
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I’m sure its a nice car but there is so much wrong with the car to raise questions about its SS pedigree.
Error in article. Both the LS5 & LS6 were ranked from the factory at 500 lb ft of torque. The 510 lb ft honor goes to the 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 in the peak muscle car years. I read about this car at the auction listing & no documentation is noted, red flags indeed. Last documented LS6 ‘vert just went for $660,000 according to latest “Hemming Muscle Machines “ magazine, (perhaps one of 16, no one really knows). This one does list a replacement LS5 motor. Buyer Beware,
To me a replacement motor ruins it …factory original only