1970 Chevelle SS 454 Convertible, Turbo 400, 3.31 Posi, Cranberry Red, Black Int

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

1970 Chevelle SS 454 Convertible: Cranberry Red, Black top and interior, 454, Turbo 400, 3.31 12 bolt posi, F41 suspension, front disc brakes. All of the following items are brand new: high torque mini-starter, Holley 750 carburetor, MSD HEI distributor, Firestone Wide Oval radial tires, HD alternator, caliper hoses, gas tank, sending unit, boxed lower control arms, shocks, springs, hoses, belts, plugs/wires, battery, ignition/locks, wiper motor/blades, carpeting, KilMat sound-deadening, steering wheel, visors, rear view mirror. Engine was recently rebuilt as a lower compression (10:1), more "streetable" version of an LS6, transmission was rebuilt 2/22/24 (not a misprint), radiator was rebuilt. SS Rims are real 1970 and 1969 rims and center caps. Car has PS, PB, AM/8 track (how cool is that - works but needs speakers), tilt wheel, rear defrost (toggle switch in dash, rear unit missing), bucket seats, console. very good top, glass rear window (needs to be installed), immaculate rear boot, very, very clean floor (evidence of some minor previous repair), immaculate frame. No rust in rear window well, trunk or body mounts - these are very common problem areas for convertibles. When sitting on jackstands you can easily open and close the doors - zero sagging. I've had many convertibles and never had one where the doors open and close like this - it's better than a lot of coupes! The power top works perfectly and is tight, doesn't leak or make wind noise.
Some details: This car was born Cortez Silver and was supposedly a 396/375 (L78) car. I do not have a build sheet or Protect-O-Plate so there's no definitive way of knowing. However, the Turbo 400 casting numbers, gauges, rear end, F41 suspension and disc brakes all point to an L78 car. The data plate lists a car built in Baltimore. It is general knowledge in Chevelle circles that a car with a B in the data plate indicates an SS and a D indicates the D88 stripe package. This car's data plate has both. In the end, it doesn't really matter as this is not a numbers-matching car, nor is this definitive proof, but it does appear to have been built as an SS.
This car was a "barn find" and it had been sitting for 16 years. The paint is at least 30 years old and has quite a nice shine to it. However, it has some issues; there are chips in several places, the hood has a ding in it, there is a scrape on the lower passenger rear quarter and there is also a fitment issue with the front passenger inner fender well. The odometer currently shows 52,585 miles, but I doubt that's accurate.
I have a REAL 1970 LS6 454/450 block (T0402CRR, 3963512) with the correct HI PERF large square port heads (3964291) and exhaust manifolds (3916178, 3909879) which will be included with this sale! That LS6 engine was rebuilt but the main crankshaft bore was not checked and needs to be addressed. The top end of the engine and the heads are newly rebuilt and in excellent condition.
I consider this a driver quality car. It's mechanically sound, has a very solid frame, floors and body. It looks great and attracts people like you wouldn't believe. But it's not so perfect that you have to worry about people being around it. They're made to be driven and I've enjoyed my time behind the wheel of this timeless classic. It's someone else's turn now as I'm onto my next holy grail car. The car is located in Chula Vista, CA. Please don't bother trying to get me to buy a bogus vehicle history report or some other nonsense. Thanks for checking the Chevelle out!