1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Has It All: Big Power, Matching Numbers, Cool Color Combo

While I'm a big fan of the Z-16's sleeper look, I must admit that the Chevelle was a better-looking car come 1970. Chevrolet nailed it with the coke-bottle design, the quad headlamps, and the sleek roof that came with the hardtop model. Additionally, there were quite a few interesting engine options.

The Chevelle SS still came standard with a big-block V8. Engine displacement had increased from 396 to 402 cubic inches (6.5 to 6.6 liters), and the entry-level mill had 350 horsepower on tap. Upgrading from the L34 to the L78 meant that output jumped to 375 horses. But 1970 also brought a new 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) lump on the options list.

Chevrolet offered two flavors, starting with the LS5. The latter packed less oomph than the L78 at 360 horsepower, but the company also had a beefed-up LS6 version on offer. This unit generated a whopping 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of torque, numbers that made the Chevelle the most powerful production car of the muscle car era.

But I'm not here to discuss the somewhat rare SS 454 LS6. This Chevelle may not be that potent, but it's a gorgeous piece of metal that deserves a place in the spotlight. Recently endorsed by Chevelle expert Patrick Glenn Nichols, this hardtop is an SS 396 sporting the smaller 402-cubic-inch V8. It's not the most potent Chevelle out there, but it's one of those museum-quality classics I could drool over for days.

Restored from the ground up, it looks flawless inside out and rocks a color combo that makes it stand out. Specifically, it combines a Fathom Blue exterior with a white vinyl top and a white interior. The blue paint is already a nice departure from the usual black and red you see on many 1970 Chevelles, but the white accents make things even better in my book. Is this a rare combo? I have no idea, to be honest, but blue-on-white cars look the part.

So, given this Chevy is a restoration, how much of it is still original? Well, our host discovered a few replacement and reproduction parts, so it's by no means a survivor. On the other hand, it still has the numbers-matching block and M40 automatic transmission. Yup, I said "block," not "engine." That's because the owner upgraded the original L34.

As you may have already noticed from the air cleaner, this unit was upgraded to an L78. It's unclear if the intake and decals come with the extra 25 horsepower, but everything looks pretty good under the hood. Sure, these mods may be a bit disappointing for diehard gearheads, but it didn't prevent Mr. Nichols from endorsing the car as a numbers-matching classic. Hit the play button below for the full walkaround.