In a surprising twist, the design of the Chevelle may not be everyone’s cup of tea. While many see it as a perfect blend of power and elegance, with its confident sculpted lines, it falls short of being considered one of the best-looking muscle cars of its time. It simply can’t compete with the likes of the Mustang Mach 1/Boss, Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, 1969 Charger, or even the Challenger.
But don’t let its appearance fool you. Once on the road, the Chevelle means business, especially the iconic SS 396 model. The car up for auction is a 1970 model, painted in Fathom Blue and equipped with a 396 CI Turbo Jet V8 engine producing 350 horsepower. This is the second time the car has gone up for auction in less than a year, previously selling for $63,500 in April 2023.
The exterior features white center stripes, a cowl induction hood with pins, a split black grille, quad headlights, a black tail panel, SS 454 fender badging, and 15-inch Super Sport wheels with SS center caps and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. The car also boasts Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes, replacement shocks and springs to ensure a smooth ride.
Inside, the Chevelle impresses with white vinyl front bucket seats, a rear bench, matching door panels, a Vintage Air climate control system, custom stereo, Hurst shifter, locking center console, a three-spoke steering wheel, and auxiliary gauges. The interior has been refurbished and is in excellent condition.
Under the hood, the factory-standard 396 CI V8 has been replaced with a modern-day GM Performance big-block V8. The 502 CI crate motor is equipped with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, an HEI distributor, an aluminum water pump, tubular headers, and Flowmaster mufflers. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Tremec five-speed manual gearbox. While the exact power output is not specified by the seller, it is estimated to be around 500 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque.
Compared to its original form, this Chevelle is a truly spectacular machine. It is undoubtedly worth the price range of $50,000 to $60,000.
