1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
source: Flickr
Some called it the King of The Streets in 1970. Others were hesitant to admit the jealousy they felt for its coveted and exclusive motor – the only year it was available. And others still claim it’s the ultimate muscle car of the era because of its presence and sheet brutishness. It’s the 1970 LS6 Chevelle.
Hot Rod Magazine summed up this beast in a simple yet elegant way: “The past is gone. The future may never see a car like this. It is one of the brutes, and all it needs is a way of staying in contact with Terra Firma.” The ’70 Chevelle, also venerably known as the SS454, or “Heavy Chevy”, espoused the mantra of the decade (there’s no replacement for displacement” perhaps better than any other car produced under the muscle marquee.
source: ShutterStock
The 1970 Chevelle’s available LS6 motor produced 450 horses and well over 500 torques at the rear wheels, though some claim even these figures were conservative. This solid lifter behemoth of a motor was built on the LS5 block but incorporated an 800-cfm Holley four-barrel and an aluminum manifold, replacing the Rochester Quadra-Jet. Its head-crunching 11.25:1 compression and relatively high 6,500 RPM redline netted the Chevelle a quarter mile time of just 13.12, trapping over 107 mph. It easily dethroned Dodge’s Hemi, much to the ire of Road Runner and GTX owners.
Removal of certain smog equipment, installation of long tubes, and some basic timing adjustments could net the SS454 with even quicker times on the street. To be sure, the SS454 was not for the faint of heart. Purchasing the LS6 powerplant meant investing in other (expensive) mandatory add-ons. This included a $503 RPO package that consisted of engine accents, dual exhaust with polished tips, a black painted grille, wheel well moldings, power front disc brakes, upgraded rear suspension to handle the extra torque, and massive F70x14 tires on comparatively tiny 7” wheels.
In total, the SS454’s package meant shelling out just over $988, in addition to the $2,800 base price. For just over $4,000, the 1970 LS6 Chevelle was certainly more than as stripped street rod. Inside, buyers would find handsome instrument panel accents, bucket seats, and plush carpet with leatherette door and cab accents. Plenty of chrome adorned the body, and the Chevelle’s general image needs no introduction nor analysis. For all its raw power and brutish figure, the 1970 Chevelle is a favorite on our list of 25 stunning muscle cars.
