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Ford Reveals the Maverick LoboGet Back to Black in this 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS
This incredible 1970 Chevy Chevelle, with its swapped LS3 V8 and black-on-black color scheme, is a restomod classic for the modern era.
Chevelle in a Black Tuxedo
The intra-brand rivalries have become the stuff of automotive legend. Not only did Detroit’s Big Three push each other to new heights during the 1950s and ‘60s, but brands within GM and Chrysler vied for the spotlight and the sales that went with it. Dodge saw the Plymouth Roadrunner and knew they needed one too. When Pontiac debuted the GTO package for the Le Mans in 1963, GM’s other marques knew they wanted in on the newly emerging muscle car segment. Oldsmobile hastily developed the 442 in response and Chevrolet a two-door sport coupe version of their new mid-size Chevelle.
Historically, the Chevy Chevelle has been overshadowed by bigger, more successful nameplates like the Mustang, Camaro, and GTO. But muscle car enthusiasts have never forgotten the Chevelle SS with its big block engines and killer good looks.
Sometimes, the best reminder of a car’s greatness is to reencounter it anew, just as one does meeting this incredible 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS restomod (restored and modified). Finished in black with grey racing stripes and black trim, this souped up Chevelle serves as a reminder to any who’ve forgotten why we called them muscle cars in the first place.
Peak Chevelle
Its muscle car iteration was only one of many guises the Chevelle wore. In addition to the sport coupe, the Chevelle was offered as a two- or four-door sedan, two- or four-door wagon, hardtop, and convertible. It even played host to a new generation of El Camino.
The mid-sized Chevelle launched for the 1964 model year and positioned mid-market, resting comfortably between the Chevy II/Nova and the top-of-the-line Impala. The Chevelle’s first volley in the muscle car wars was its Malibu SS trim, powered by the car’s most powerful engine option a 396 cu.-in. big-block V8 mustering between 325 and 375 horsepower. This would evolve into the 396 SS.
The Chevelle’s second generation, 1968 through 1972 models, saw both the peak and precipitous fall of the muscle car. The extensive list of body styles remained while the Chevelle’s extensive collection of engine options expanded to include small-block and big-block V8s ranging from 307 cubic inches all the way to the massive 454-cu.-in. LS6.
A 1970 refresh accentuated the Chevelle’s stylish Coke-bottle curves and saw the car’s peak in power output. The 454 LS5 V8 and the 402 (badged and sold as the 396 SS) produced comparable power, 360 and 350 horsepower, respectively. The aforementioned 454 LS6 V8, when equipped with a four-barrel Holley carburetor, made a thunderous 450 horsepower. Allowing the Chevelle to keep pace with the quickest muscle cars of the era.
Of course, no party can last forever, and the luster of the muscle car’s golden era began to dim just a year later. New emissions regulations and a switch to unleaded fuel slashed horsepower for many cars including the Chevelle with the 396 SS dropping from 350 to 300 horsepower. By the 1972 model year, the mighty 454 V8 was downrated to 270 horsepower, part of an inexorable trend for American performance cars that lasted well into the 1990s.
Restomod Done Right
The eventual eclipse of the Chevy Chevelle and muscle cars more generally serves to highlight why they’ve become so revered in the decades since their peak, that all too rare confluence of performance and affordability. Time marches on. Tastes change. Technology improves. And yet, some things never go out of style.
Enter this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS restomod. Rather than return to the muscle car of yesteryear, this example reimagines the classic Chevelle with modern technology to complement its vintage good looks. The results are simply stunning. The original body work has all been retained, no carbon fiber or body filler here, painted in black with grey racing stripes and black trim replacing the original chrome. The only major modifications to the exterior are a custom chin spoiler up front, new LED headlights, and Ring Brother’s door handles.
Under the hood is an LS3 crate motor. This 6.2L V8 sends 426 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Forge Auto wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires (255 front, 295 rear) and feature Wilwood performance brakes. There’s a Detroit Speed sourced brake master cylinder and steering box along with a custom cold air intake.
The inside of this Chevelle is just as breathtaking starting with the black vinyl power bucket seats. New gauges come courtesy of Dakota Digital. A new head unit includes Bluetooth capability and upgraded speakers. The air conditioning has also been replaced with a Vintage Air unit, yet the car tastefully retains the original AC controls.
This 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS restomod perfectly distills what makes a muscle car a muscle car with its striking street presence and volcanic LS3 V8. It can be yours for $169,999.
