by The Chevrolet Chevelle will always remain one of the most popular classic cars in America. The Chevelle SS will also remain one of the most popular classic muscle cars in the USA, and some versions are exceedingly rare. The Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds YouTube channel has checked out one of the rarest Chevelles of all time, the SS 454 with the LS6 engine under the hood.
This example, built early in February 1970, is one of less than one percent of all Chevelles to have this monster LS engine powering it. As such, it is worth an awful lot of money, even more so as the engine is the original numbers-matching unit.
Why This 1970 Chevelle SS 454 Is So Rare
Chevrolet LS6 V8 Engine Specs
Manufacturer
General Motors
Production Years
1955 – Present
Configuration
Naturally-Aspirated V8
Displacement
5.7 – 10.4-Liter
Power
250 – 1,004 hp
Torque
385 – 876 lb-ft
Fuel
Gas
Notable Applications
1970–1974 Chevrolet Corvette, 1966–1969 Chevrolet Biscayne
Finished in a stunning shadow gray, this Chevelle SS 454 is one of the prettiest examples of a Chevelle we have seen. Equally, it is also one of the rarest examples, with less than one percent of all Chevelles having the LS6 V8 powering the muscle car. The early style hood also helps date the Chevelle and add to its value, and under that hood we get a good look at the remarkable engine. It is in immaculate condition, looking virtually brand new and as if it has sat in a museum for many years.
The 454 LS6 version of the Chevelle had plenty of power under the hood, with the RPO Z15 version chucking out 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque that would earn the muscle car the title “king of the streets.” Two types of transmission were available. Either the Muncie M22 close-ratio four-speed manual, or the one we find in this Chevelle SS, the three-speed M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. This also features the 4.33:1 gear ratio, as well as the limited-slip differential. Documentation around how many of these Chevelles were actually built isn’t clear, but the most agreed-on number according to Heacock Classic is 4,475 units in total.
This particular example of the SS 454 is an El Camino pickup truck version, one that is even rarer, but it is harder to pinpoint exactly how many examples of this Chevelle existed. There are some reproduction components on this Chevelle SS, but many are essential components such as the pulleys and the hood clips. However, it still has its original rear axle as well as the original transmission to go with that original LS6 V8 engine.
What Made The Chevelle SS 454 Such A Fearsome Muscle Car
via Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds YouTube Channel
The big block engine under the hood is what helped make this such a powerful and intimidating muscle car. The LS6 engine had a beefy bottom end to it, with a forged steel crankshaft, connecting rods with forged aluminum, and four-bolt mains to really toughen it up. The redline was very high as well, with the LS6 capable of revving up to 6,500 RPM which necessitated the usage of deep groove accessory drive pulleys to handle all that pull. One issue that blighted the engine was new Federal emission standards, meaning a primitive Air Injection Reactor pump was also added to the tops of the exhaust manifolds.
However, upon the cars being delivered to their owners, most would simply remove the AIR system once it left the dealerships. Were you to buy the LS6 454 SS then you would need relatively deep pockets. The model included some mandatory options, like the RPO Z15 SS 454 package. This had bright engine accents, dual exhaust with bright tips a black painted grille, and wheel opening moldings to name just a few things. The rear bumper would get a black insert while the Chevelle SS received a “power bulge” hood.
Selecting the 454 LS6 engine as an option added an additional $263.30 to the cost of the car back in 1970, with the base price alone $2,800. The cost of options would be just over $988 meaning the Chevelle 454 SS was one of the most expensive iterations of the muscle car ever produced. It’s little wonder that Chevrolet would go on to make so few, such was the price tag they commanded. Adding further options to the Chevelle SS 454 could even push the price tag of the muscle car above the $4,000 figure.
The Chevelle SS Interior Is In Immaculate Condition
via Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds YouTube Channel
The YouTube video gives us a good look at the interior of the Chevelle SS El Camino, which is in immaculate condition. The dash is all original, with reproduction stickers and badging inside the doors to add more authenticity to the restoration. The dashboard looks exceptional with some stunning gauges and the original radio still in place, while the steering wheel has that classic 1960s Chevrolet design. The owner of this Chevelle restored its interior beautifully, and the vinyl roof looks just like it would have when the car left the factory.
Behind that, we get a good look at the pickup truck bed. The body of the bed is beautiful, with the paint finish pretty much perfect. While we do not get a look underneath the muscle car, the YouTuber says that when the Chevelle SS was on the lift, the restoration work done under the Chevelle was immaculate. The rear end shows off the chrome bumper as well as the SS badging, and the gleaming paintwork applied to the bodywork. The passenger side of the Chevelle is just as perfect as the driver’s side, and behind it sits the spare wheel for the vehicle.
Chevelle SS 454s Are Worth A Lot Of Money
Given the rarity of Chevelle SS 454s, it is little surprise that they are worth a lot of money at auctions. For the coupe version, Hagerty currently values the Chevelle SS 454 at $64,600 in good condition for the 360 hp version while the higher output Chevelle SS is worth $114,000. Prices rise even further for the convertible SS 454 with the 360 hp version valued at $91,700, but the 450 hp convertible has a current value of $289,000. All figures highlight the rarity and desirability of this classic Chevrolet.
Source: Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds YouTube Channel
