Less than 1% of Chevelle Chevys from the 1970s have this unreliable engine.

Chevelle
  • Less than 1% of Chevrolet Chevelles are equipped with the LS6 engine, making the Chevrolet Chevelle SS with this engine one of the most sought after and rare vintage muscle vehicles.
  • This particular 1970 Chevelle SS 454 is highly unusual due to its gorgeous shadow gray paint and original, numbers-matching LS6 engine.
  • Chevelle SS 454s are extremely rare and desirable, as evidenced by their high auction values, especially in convertible configuration.

In America, the Chevrolet Chevelle will always be recognized as one of the most popular vintage automobiles. In the USA, the Chevelle SS is still a highly sought-after muscle car, with some models being quite rare. Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds, a YouTube channel, examined one of the rare Chevelles of all time, the SS 454 with the LS6 engine under the hood.

RELATED: 2024 Chevelle 70/SS: What We Know So Far

Why This 1970 Chevelle SS 454 Is So Rare

One of the prettiest Chevelle SS 454s we’ve ever seen, it’s finished in a gorgeous shade of Shadow Gray. Less than 1% of Chevelles have the LS6 V8 engine that powers the muscle car, making it one of the rarest specimens. The Chevelle’s early-style hood adds to its dating and value, plus it gives us a clear view of its amazing engine. It appears to be in almost perfect condition, as if it has spent a long time in a museum.

The RPO Z15 variant of the 454 LS6 Chevelle produced 500 lb-ft of torque and 450 horsepower, making it the “King of the Streets”. The muscle car under the hood was certainly powerful. There were two possible transmission options. This Chevelle SS uses a three-speed M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, or a Muncie M22 close-ratio four-speed manual. It has a limited-slip differential in addition to a 4.33:1 gear ratio. The exact number of Chevelles produced is unknown, however 4,475 is the most widely accepted estimate given by Heacock Classic.

What Made The Chevelle SS 454 Such A Fearsome Muscle Car

Its massive block engine under the hood is part of what makes this muscle automobile so frighteningly strong. The LS6 engine had a strong bottom end, reinforced by a four-bolt main shaft, forged aluminum connecting rods and a steel crankshaft. The LS6 could rev as high as 6,500 RPM, so the redline was also quite high, requiring a deep groove auxiliary drive pulley to cope with all the pull. Enforcement of new federal pollution regulations was a problem that plagued the engine, requiring the addition of antiquated air injection reactor pumps to the exhaust manifold tops.

But once the automobiles leave the showrooms, most of them take out the radio system when they go to their owners. If you’re buying an LS6 454 SS, you’re going to need a bigger budget. Some options like the RPO Z15 SS 454 package were standard on the vehicle. Just to name a few features, these include wheel opening mouldings, a black grille, dual exhaust with bright tips and bright engine highlights. A black insert will be added to the rear bumper and the Chevelle SS will get a “power bulge” hood.

When the automobile was purchased in 1970, the standard price of $2,800 included an additional $263.30 for the 454 LS6 engine. Option costs will be somewhat higher The Chevelle 454 SS was one of the most expensive versions of the muscle car ever made, costing $988. Given the high price they’re asked to fetch, it’s no surprise that Chevrolet would produce so few of them. Adding more options to the Chevelle SS 454 could increase the muscle car’s price by more than $4,000.

The Chevelle SS Interior Is In Immaculate Condition

The impeccably maintained interior of the Chevelle SS El Camino is shown in great detail in a YouTube video. To further enhance the authenticity of the restoration, replica stickers and badging have been applied to the doors alongside the original dash. The steering wheel has a 1960s Chevrolet design, and the dashboard remains in place with some gorgeous instruments and the original radio. The vinyl top on this Chevelle looks exactly as it did when the vehicle left the factory, thanks to the owner’s excellent interior restoration.

Chevelle SS 454s Are Worth A Lot Of Money

Given the extreme rarity of Chevelle SS 454s, it should come as no surprise that they fetch high prices at auction. Hagerty currently values ​​the 360 ​​horsepower coupe version of the Chevelle SS 454 in good condition at $64,600, while the higher output Chevelle SS is valued at $114,000. The 360 ​​horsepower convertible SS 454 is currently priced at $91,700, but the 450 horsepower convertible is currently priced at $289,000. The prices of this vehicle increase further. Each number emphasizes how unique and desirable this vintage Chevrolet is.

READ | Small but great: the new Toyota engine

READ | The legend of the Wonderful twins of the General Motors V12 and GMC’s amazing twins of six engines

2 thoughts on “Less than 1% of Chevelle Chevys from the 1970s have this unreliable engine.”

Leave a Comment