1970 Monte Carlo SS 454 With Factory Build Sheet and Original Drive Train

1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454

For auction is a vary rare and original 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454. It has the 360 horsepower LS5 454 engine. A total of 145,976 Monte Carlos were produced in 1970, the first year of Monte Carlo production. Of those, only 3,823 were equipped with the SS 454 option. This was called the Z20 option. This is the same engine used in the LS5 454 SS Chevelle in 1970.
The car is Triple Black, arguably the most desirable combination. Black exterior, black interior, and black vinyl top. The interior looks to be mostly original with bucket seats, console, and the gauge package. The carpet looks to have been replaced at some point. The headliner and seats are in excellent condition for a 48 year old car. The driver's seat bottom does have a popped seam on the left side. It does need to have the dash pad replaced. The interior does need freshened up but if you wanted to use the original rear seats, headliner, door panels you certainly could.
This particular car was assembled in Baltimore in January 1970 and shipped to Luby Chevrolet in Forrest Hills New York. It was a one owner car until the early 2000's. It has been in Washington State, Arizona, Kentucky, and Iowa since then. It has had one re-paint in the 1990s. It still has great shine and is super straight. There are two small dents. One is on the left rear quarter, the other on the passenger's fender. Both are less than an inch. There are many assorted scratches and paint chips. It has some developing rust issues that will be discussed below.
It has the original, born with, factory installed engine, transmission, and rear end. I was told that the engine has never been out of the car but the transmission has been rebuilt. The front pad of the engine is stamped with the partial VIN 188145258 and the engine code T0106CRN. These are the original factory stampings. The broach marks are factory original. The transmission is also stamped with the partial VIN of 188145258. I have included pictures of both sets of stamps. The aluminum trans tag shown a build date of 385 and is stamped 70-CR 5767. That corresponds to the build sheet and confirms a TH-400 auto trans. I have a brand new yellow CR trans tag that goes with the car. I pulled the old one off to confirm the numbers. It obviously comes with the car. I have not removed the alternator or distributor to look at dates and casting numbers on those. I can't quite see the engine casting numbers or cast date, but this is definitely the factory installed engine. I have not removed the valve covers to look at casting dates on the heads, but they have the same patina as the block and intake. The exhaust manifolds appear to be the originals. It runs well but is a bit hard to start in the cold. Its still below freezing in Iowa.
The rear end is the original born with 12 bolt posi-traction unit. The cast date is J189. The axle tube is stamped CRK 1105B which corresponds to the correct 2.56 ratio which was standard with the Monte Carlo SS package. The car retains the correct rear anti-sway bar as well as the original air shock manifold over the rear axle and the air shock protector plates. I have included pictures of those as well. These are parts of the F41 suspension and the auto-leveling system which were standard on the SS 454. The auto leveling pump is included with the car but is not currently mounted. It is sitting in the trunk and also pictured.
The car includes the factory original build sheet from the Baltimore plant. It was found behind the back seat. It shows all of the options. It contains the VIN number as well as the body number (same as the body tag), proving that it is the original build sheet for this car and that the car is in fact a Z20 SS 454 optioned car. It is highly optioned. It has the deluxe seat belts, power locks, tinted glass, power windows, roof drip moldings, wheel opening moldings, the ultra rare window washer fluid jar monitor, vinyl top, recessed windshield wipers, air conditioning, remote control driver's mirror, console, auto level control, posi-traction, power disc brakes, tilt steering, power steering, heavy duty battery, mirror lamp, gauges with tachometer, power locks, clock, and of course the Z20 SS 454 package. It has the convince light package which includes lights in the trunk, engine bay, glovebox, and ash tray.
Everything works on the car except for the clock. The air seems to blow cold but it is still winter and I can't tell for sure. The compressor engages. The paint looks good for its age. It is starting to show bubbling under the paint in several locations and there is some bubbling under the vinyl top. I can not see any rust through however. There are no soft spots at the window corners. From 5 feet it looks great. Up close it is showing the fact that it needs body work and that the car needs a restoration. The car runs and drives well. It does not smoke and there no funny engine sounds. The tires look to be very new. The tires are blackwall P205 75 R15's on the correct rally rims. The brakes are new all the way around. It has new shocks and it appears to have new front coil springs. It has new exhaust on it as well. All of the power windows and locks work. The glass all appears to be original. The driver's side rear quarter window is glass etched on the inside with a rose. It is tasteful, but certainly not original. The odometer is showing 15,211 miles. I assume this to be 115,211 miles.
The car deserves a full restoration. There were only 3,823 of the SS 454 Monte Carlos made in 70. This is a true numbers matching, relatively unmolested, car with it's born with, factory installed drivetrain, that includes the original factory build sheet documenting its originality. It is also highly optioned and dressed in the most desirable color combination out there. It needs to be stripped to bare metal and restored back to its original glory. It would be an easy restoration. This is an opportunity to own a blue chip Chevy muscle/luxury car that is only going to go up in value. It can be driven and enjoyed as is, put away for the future, or restored to perfection. Everything is there. The original chrome trim is mostly usable. The rocker trim should be replaced. The bumpers are good but will need re-chromed. Late 60's and early 70's muscle cars this original and complete are getting very hard to find.
I bought this last fall with the intention of doing a frame off restoration. I have several cars I am restoring currently. I just got the opportunity to buy back a car I purchased new many years ago that I had sold. I can't turn down that opportunity so this one has to go to make room. My garage and storage locations are full. :) My wife is putting her foot down for me getting another storage location.
The car is sold as is, where is. I will guarantee the drive train to be the original factory installed engine, trans, and rear end. I encourage you to come inspect the car yourself. I am ok with a paid inspection as well. Keep in mind this is a 48 year old piece of automotive art. I am sure I am leaving out some detail that would be important to some buyers out there but I am doing my best to list it honestly so you are happy when you get it. Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. I can keep it safe until pick up for you. I prefer cash, cashier's check, or wire transfer. I have been buying and selling on EBAY a long time and I am very proud of my 100% rating. Please ask any questions you have. You can call or text me at 641-569-3045. Good luck and happy bidding. NO RESERVE. The high bidder gets it. I will include a buy it now. The car is located in Pella, Iowa.