1970 Chevrolet Malibu

1970 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle SS454 The new SS 454 package cost $503 and included a 360hp hydraulic lifter 454 called the LS5. Then there was the LS6. This was the take no prisoners 454, with a 800cfm Holley four barrel on an aluminum manifold, 11.25:1 compression, solid lifters, four bolt mains, forged steel crank and connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, and deep groove accessory pulleys. No production engine ever had a higher factory horsepower rating. Musclecars.Howstuffworks.com For consignment, a 1970 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle SS454 with a title verified 56,461 actual miles. This is a well documented, numbers matching, (see notes below), LS6 Chevelle, one of only 4,475 ever produced, considered the pinnacle of the muscle car world and to many, the holy grail. This one comes to you with the build sheet and Protect-O-Plate. Exterior Striking Cranberry Red features the epically racy black painted stripes that ride hood, cling to the power bulge and cowl, then return to dress the decklid. Let's stay in the back where the chrome bumper serves to frame the tail lamps, once considered typical and pedestrian but have since taken on a muscular appeal, and the exhaust tips that protrude just underneath doesn't hurt that profile. Quad headlights are individually framed and hood pins are a clue to performance implications. SS appears on all four corners, but it's those three numbers on the fender that are most coveted; 454. The 14-inch Chevrolet SS wheels work well with the old school tire profiles and wheel opening trim enhances the package. Flaws are few on this legend and include edge chips on the door, a few scraped chips in the passenger door as well as a ding. Interior Black vinyl door panels adorn the inside and present in just about pristine condition leading to tall bucket seats up front where the driver's show some use and wavy piping while the passenger side and back seats are in ideal condition. How does the dash of the highest performance Chevelle differ from the base model in 1970? You get round gauges instead of a sweep speedometer, and the addition of a tachometer means business. Other gauges, knobs and switches, and an AM/FM radio with 8-track are based in a textured plastic face plate in excellent condition, under a clean dash pad. In the center console, you'll find the always cool horseshoe shifter over a clean indicator panel, accompanied by black loop carpet below and a flawless headliner above, shoulder belts in tow. As one might expect, the trunk is spotless and holds a factory clean spare over a vinyl mat. Drivetrain The show worthy presentation continues under the hood where you'll find the consignor stated numbers matching 454ci LS6 V8 with the correct 4-barrel carburetor and a horsepower rating of an astounding 450. Our spec reviewer notes the engine broaching looks off along with ghosting of a prior stamping on the machined pad and that grinding marks appear on the numbers matching TH400 3-speed automatic transmission with a ghosting of old numbers and the hydramatic tag missing. In back, you'll find a 12 bolt axle with 3.31 gears and Positraction.  Undercarriage It's whistle clean underneath where you'll find dual exhaust running through stock style mufflers and resonators, and exiting through aggressive chrome tips. Power brakes are on board as front disc and rear drum and suspension consists of coil springs at both ends with a 4link included in back. Yes, this is one of those undersides that deserves to be reflected in mirrors at car shows!  Drive-Ability We pilot this legendary muscle car on to the test loop where dozens of Chevelles have treaded before, including a long list of SS396. The king of the hill does not disappoint in providing powerful grunt, straight tracking, and functional brakes. We note the hood cowl flap is not working and the brake lights don't illuminate. All other functions on this desirable A-body operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall r