10 Facts About the 1970 Chevelle SS Revealed

Feb 9, 2020 • Top 10 • Comment icon 5 Comments
1970 Chevelle SS Facts Graphic

The 1970 Chevelle SS is arguably one of the most identifiable and most desirable muscle cars from the muscle car era and has become the go-to classic car for Hollywood—which doesn’t hurt its public awareness some 50 years after it was produced.

The Chevy Chevelle SS, particularly the 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS, appears in several muscle car movies, featuring in many films like Jack Reacher, John Wick, Dazed and Confused, and The Other Guys.

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Top 10 1970 Chevelle SS Facts

70 Chevelle SS Pictures

Here are pictures of the 1970 Chevelle SS, including exteriors of hardtops and convertibles, interior photos including bucket and bench seats, and engine bays stuffed with 396 and 454 engines. Click the photos below to see full-size images.

70 Chevelle SS Production Numbers

1970 Chevelle SS production numbers totaled 62,372 vehicles. 53,599 came equipped with the 396 CID V8 while 8,773 came equipped with the 454 CID V8.

Following is the breakdown by engine and horsepower ratings:

CIDHPProduced
396 (L34)35051,455
396 (L78)3752,144
454 (LS5)3604,298
454 (LS6)4504,475

70 Chevelle SS Specs

Photo of a Cranberry Red 70 Chevelle SS
Photo: Barrett Jackson

See 1970 Chevelle SS specs that include the base price, wheelbase, length, width, height, weight, body styles, and more.

SpecDetails
Base Price
$3,991.15 (Hardtop + 396 L34 + M21 4-speed)
Wheelbase112 in
Length201.2 in
Width75.3 in
Height53.2 in
WeightHardtop: 3,369 lbs
Convertible: 3,456 lbs
TransmissionTH400 3-speed automatic
M20 4-speed manual
M21 4-speed manual
M22 4-speed manual
Body Style2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
PlatformA-Body

70 Chevelle SS Options

Photo of a 70 Chevelle Super Sport 396 Engine

1970 Chevelle SS options included a 396 or a 454 cu. in. engine—each having a base version and a higher horsepower high-performance version available.

Spec396 (L34)396 (L78)454 (LS5)454 (LS6)
Displacement402 CID402 CID454 CID454 CID
Carburetor4v4v4v4v
Bore & Stroke4.13 x 3.76 4.1260 x 3.764.25 x 4.004.25 x 4.00
Compression Ratio10.25:111.110.25:111.25:1
Horsepower350 @ 5,200375 @ 5,600360 @ 4,400450 @ 5,600
Torque415 @ 3,400415 @ 3,600500 @ 3,200500 @ 3,600

70 Chevelle SS Paint Colors

Photo of Green 70 Chevelle Super Sport

1970 Chevelle SS paint colors spanned across 15 different standard paint colors from white to black and everything in between. The Corvette, Nova, Camaro, Chevy II, and Chevelle all shared the same paint codes and color names listed below.

In addition to the base 15 paint colors, there were several other special order paint colors available including Hugger Orange and Daytona Yellow.

Additionally, there were seven two-tone paint color combinations (lower/upper) available:

70 Chevelle SS Quarter Mile Time

Photo of a Black 70 Chevelle Super sport Convertible
PHOTO: Mecum Auctions

With respect to the 1970 Chevelle SS quarter-mile time, the legendary LS6 454 was the highest-performing option.

Powered by a 454 cubic inch beast with an 11.25:1 compression ratio, 450 horsepower @ 5,600 RPM, and 500 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 RPM, the LS6 was the top-of-the-line performance option.

The LS6 was the 3rd fastest classic muscle car from the muscle car era, 5th fastest when you include the Corvette and Cobra, and 2nd fastest overall in 1970.

It was also one of the most powerful muscle cars that boasted the highest advertised horsepower rating with 25 more horses than the 426 Hemi.

EngineETMPHSource
396 (L34)14.7794.42RT 4/70
396 (L78)N/AN/AN/A
454 (LS5)14.20100MCR
454 (LS6)13.20107 CC 11/69

70 Chevelle SS 0-60 Time

Photo of 70 Chevelle Super Sport at Sunset
PHOTO: Hemmings

The ’70 Chevelle SS 0-60 was impressive across the line of available performance engine options compared to other 1970 muscle cars.

EngineET
396/350hp8.1
396/375hp5.9
454/360hpN/A
454/450hp5.4

70 Chevelle SS Burnout

It doesn’t take much to get a ’70 Chevelle SS to do a smokey burnout. Click the video below to watch a burnout video that lasts for nearly two minutes straight!

How Much a 70 Chevelle SS Is Worth Today

PHOTO: Mecum Auctions

1970 Chevelle SS values depend on the condition, rarity, options, originality, and if it has the numbers matching drive train.

The following values are taken from the Hagerty Insider app (no affiliation). Note that vehicle values can often change, so refer to the Hagerty Insider app for current figures.

StyleEngineValue
Sport Coupe396 (L34)$57,100
Convertible396 (L34)$101,000
Sport Coupe396 (L78)$63,000
Convertible396 (L78)$111,000
Sport Coupe454 (LS5)$49,000
Convertible454 (LS5)$70,100
Sport Coupe454 (LS6)$99,500
Convertible454 (LS6)$172,000

Where to Find a 70 Chevelle SS For Sale

Photo of 70 Chevelle Super Sport in White
PHOTO: Mecum Auctions

Looking for a 1970 Chevelle SS for sale?

You’re in good company as they are one of the most popular and sought-after muscle cars ever produced.

Here are 50 different places to find one for sale including many popular classifieds, marketplaces, dealers, and auctions.

Well, there you have the top 10 facts about the 1970 Chevelle SS. Be sure to subscribe to see more content like this!

Author Photo

Ryan Wheaton

Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.

Comments

  1. johnny sheeley says:

    A big Block 454 LS 6 and at 3800lbs, and there is no aerodynamic to this car. I grew up in those days they never did 0-60 in 5.4 seconds maybe 6.2 or 6.3 not only that, but on the street all the Dodge and Ford guys would watch them run around town and those 454 would start running hot right around 212 and they would lose a of there power. The fastest car back then were the AC 427 Cobras
    and they only weighed about 2600lbs. they would destroy anything Dodge or Chevy had back in that time period, even the Chrysler Hemi’s check history books it speaks for itself.

  2. Steven Paxton says:

    My absolute best car I have ever owned, driven and been satisfied with my whole life. It was the most beautiful vehicle I had ever purchased bar now. Back than I was king of the road.

  3. AVIATOR says:

    DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE DOORGLASS ON A 1970 IS THE SAME AS THE 1969 (CHEVELLE)?
    I AM LOOKING AT PART NUMBERS, 68 AND 69 DOOR GLASS PART NUMBERS ARE DIFF FROM 1970…ALSO THERE ARE TWO PART NUMBERS FOR EACH SIDE DOOR IN 1970…I NEED GLASS FOR A 1969. I HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY WHICH IS THE CORRECT GLASS, ALSO THERE IS 300 4DR VARIANT AND A GRAND PRIX HAS VENT WINDOWS…ALSO IN 1970 THERE ARE VENTS…WTH

  4. Jim Stewart says:

    I like the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS with a 454 under the hood and 450 plus horsepower!!!! With a 4 on the floor and any color besides pink.

  5. Daniel says:

    I always considered the Chevelle a large family car..

Comments are closed.