The Chevy Chevelle debuted for the 1964 model year as Chevrolet’s A-Body, mid-size offering. Quickly becoming Chevy’s most popular and successful model, the Chevelle would be one of the prime players in the burgeoning muscle car market. As horsepower and displacement grew through the 1960s, so did the Chevelle’s popularity. Federal economy standards, along with emissions standards and insurance companies’ reluctance to insure young drivers in increasingly powerful factory hot rods all combined to bring an end to the big muscle car competition.
With the writing on the wall, GM pulled out all the stops for the 1970 model year, terminating the 400 cubic-inch restriction on mid-size passenger cars. This allowed each GM division to go for broke, stuffing their individual A-Body cars with Big Block goodness. For the Chevelle SS this meant the monstrous LS6, the Godzilla of the GM muscle car stable.
A Chevy Chevelle SS with the LS6 option was something to behold. The largest-displacement passenger-car engine displacing 454 cubic inches, the LS6 came with 11.25:1 compression, a radical cam, 800CFM Holley carburetor, an aluminum Winters intake manifold, solid lifters, and huge power. The LS6 was intentionally underrated at 450 horsepower, while those in the know said it was much closer to 500 ponies. This was combined with a startling 510 pound feet of pavement-warping torque. The LS6 could be coupled with either a three-speed automatic transmission or a Muncie heavy-duty four-speed manual.
Our feature 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS LS6 coupe is finished in Classic White with Tuxedo Black SS stripes over a red Strato Bucket seat vinyl interior. It is powered by its original LS6 454 rated at 450 horsepower and 510 pound feet of torque. The Chevelle is equipped with the M22 Muncie “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual gearbox, the RPO Z15 454SS package that added engine chrome, bright exhaust tips, power front disc brakes, heavy-duty suspension, blacked out grille, blacked out panel between the taillights, ZL2 cowl induction hood, dual exhaust, power steering, center console, and AM radio with eight-track tape player. Included in the sale are the original warranty card, build sheet, owner documents, and Protect-O-Plate.
Comments
It was rated at 500 lb ft of torque. Buick GS 455 was 510, but far less horsepower.
cool car
Oldsmobile got around the 400 cubic inch ban in 1968 and 1969 with their 455 Hurst Olds. Hurst pitched the idea to GM saying the cars would be modified with the 455 motor swapped outside of the GM factory. This was thought to be true for quite some time. Years ago a book published on the history of Hurst had previous managers clearly state the cars were in fact made on the regular assembly line with the 455 motors.