Ford Chevelle SS? Unpacking the Legend of Chevy’s 1970 Icon
In the pantheon of American muscle cars, few names command as much respect and awe as the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Ask any enthusiast about their favorites, and this machine invariably ranks near the top. For many devoted Chevrolet fans and collectors, this specific model year represents the absolute pinnacle of the brand’s achievement in styling, raw horsepower, and pure performance attitude. Its legendary status is so profound that sometimes confusion arises, leading to searches for terms like “Ford Chevelle Ss”. However, this icon is thoroughly a Chevrolet masterpiece. Join us at Shocknaue Entertainment News as we delve into the story of one of the most revered muscle cars ever built.
“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.” – Steve Kelly, Hot Rod Magazine, May 1970
Rear view of a red 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS showcasing its distinctive taillights integrated into the bumper.
A Bold New Look for a New Decade
Entering the 1970s, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS received significant styling updates that gave it a more modern and aggressive appearance. The front end featured a new grille design, a subtly reshaped hood, a cleaner front bumper, and revised front fenders, contributing to a muscular, squared-off look. At the rear, the styling was equally fresh, incorporating new taillights and backup lights elegantly integrated directly into the bumper.
Front three-quarter view of a classic black 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS showcasing its iconic grille and hood design.
Inside, the changes continued with a redesigned instrument panel featuring a new cluster layout and updated controls. It was clear Chevrolet intended the 1970 Chevelle SS to be a statement piece for the new decade, blending contemporary design with an undeniably aggressive attitude that hinted at the power lurking beneath.
Sleek side profile of a black 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS highlighting its updated coupe styling for the model year.
Under the Hood: The SS Power Options
Chevrolet offered enthusiasts two distinct Super Sport (SS) packages for the 1970 Chevelle, catering to different levels of performance desire.
The Z25 Package: 396 Big Block Power
Selecting option code Z25 on the order form equipped the Chevelle SS with Chevrolet’s potent 396 cubic-inch big-block V8 engine. This powerplant delivered a robust 350 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. For an additional $445.55, the Z25 package also included essential performance upgrades like front disc brakes, a special domed hood, distinctive sport wheels shod with wide-oval white-letter tires, and a blacked-out rear bumper panel. Testing this configuration, Car and Driver magazine clocked a 0 to 60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 14.41 seconds at 97.35 mph – impressive figures for this A-body cruiser.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS brochure detail highlighting the SS 396 and SS 454 engine options.
Unleashing the Beast: The 454 Arrives
A significant development for the 1970 model year was General Motors’ decision to lift its internal restriction limiting intermediate-sized cars (A-bodies like the Chevelle) to engines no larger than 400 cubic inches. This policy change paved the way for Chevrolet to introduce its legendary 454 cubic-inch big-block engine into the Chevelle lineup, creating two new fire-breathing options under the RPO Z15 SS package.
The first version was the LS5 454. Officially rated at 360 horsepower and a stump-pulling 500 lb-ft of torque, the LS5 featured components like durable cast-iron small oval-port cylinder heads, a reliable Quadrajet carburetor, a cast-iron intake manifold, and a hydraulic camshaft designed for strong street performance.
Close-up of the powerful Chevrolet 454 big-block engine, heart of the 1970 Chevelle SS performance.
The King of the Hill: The LS6 454
For those seeking ultimate performance, the LS6 version of the 454 was the undisputed champion. While the air cleaner decal proudly proclaimed 450 horsepower, seasoned enthusiasts often considered this figure significantly understated, possibly a tactic by Chevrolet to appease rising insurance costs. The LS6 was built for serious power, featuring an 11.25:1 compression ratio, solid mechanical valve lifters requiring periodic adjustment, a high-performance camshaft profile, and a massive Holley four-barrel carburetor atop an aluminum intake manifold. This engine was far from just a number on paper. In its December 1969 issue, Motor Trend magazine tested a Chevelle 454 LS6 equipped with a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, a 3.31:1 Positraction rear axle, and the functional Cowl Induction hood. They recorded a blistering 0 to 60 mph time of 6.0 seconds and a quarter mile pass of 13.8 seconds at 97.5 mph.
Iconic air cleaner sticker of the 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 454 engine, notoriously underrated at 450 horsepower.
Dominating the Streets: Performance and Presence
Seeing a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 approaching in the rearview mirror was an intimidating experience. Its aggressive stance and the deep rumble emanating from its exhaust pipes projected pure dominance. As Motor Trend discovered during their testing, this wasn’t just perception. They pitted the Chevelle 454 LS6 against formidable rivals like the Ford Torino equipped with the 429 Cobra Jet engine and the Plymouth Road Runner packing the 440 Six-Pack V8. In the crucial quarter-mile drag race, the Chevelle SS LS6 proved its superiority, dispatching the Ford Torino Cobra by 0.7 seconds and the Plymouth Road Runner by 0.6 seconds. While these margins might seem small on paper, they demonstrated the Chevelle’s commanding performance edge in the hyper-competitive muscle car arena of the day.
Page from a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle dealer book highlighting its aggressive stance and performance features.
Essential SS Features
Both the LS5 and the mighty LS6 454 engines could be paired with either a Muncie four-speed manual transmission for ultimate driver control or the robust Turbo-Hydra-matic 400 automatic transmission for effortless cruising and consistent drag strip launches.
No top-tier Chevelle SS felt complete without the optional Cowl Induction hood (RPO ZL2). This wasn’t just for show; it featured a vacuum-operated flap at the rear of the hood’s power bulge that opened under hard acceleration, feeding cooler, denser outside air directly into the engine’s intake for increased power. Opting for Cowl Induction also typically added bold racing stripes across the hood and rear deck, along with competition-style hood lock pins, further enhancing the car’s performance image.
Legacy of a Muscle Car Legend
Even when the 1970 Chevelle SS was brand new, contemporary automotive journalists recognized its special nature and sensed that its era might be fleeting. Terms like “supercar” and “earth mover” filled road test reviews, attempting to capture its overwhelming performance and undeniable bravado.
Sadly, the golden age of the muscle car was nearing its end. Increasingly stringent government emissions regulations loomed, and soaring insurance premiums, sometimes costing as much as one-third of the car’s purchase price annually, were making high-performance vehicles prohibitively expensive for many buyers. Consequently, the 1970 model year is widely regarded by historians and enthusiasts as the last hurrah for truly unrestricted, high-compression muscle cars. The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, particularly in its LS6 guise, stands as powerful proof that Chevrolet intended to leave an indelible mark—written in burned rubber—on this celebrated era of American automotive history.
Conclusion
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS remains an enduring icon, celebrated for its perfect blend of aggressive styling, brutal engine options like the legendary LS6 454, and street-dominating performance. It represented the zenith of Chevrolet’s muscle car efforts during a time when horsepower reigned supreme. Its impact was so significant that its name echoes even in unrelated searches like “Ford Chevelle Ss,” a testament to its unforgettable presence. While history confirms this legend is pure Chevrolet, the 1970 Chevelle SS continues to captivate enthusiasts and stands as a high-water mark for American muscle.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 454 LS6 Specifications
Body & Frame
Type: welded perimeter with crossmembers
Body style: coupe
Engine
Powerplant: 90 degree OHV V8
Displacement: 454 cubic-inches
Horsepower: 450 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 500 @ 3,600 rpm
Oil capacity: 5 quarts
Valvetrain: solid lifters, .020-inch clearance intake and exhaust
Bore x stroke: 4.25 x 4.00
Compression ratio: 11.25:1
Bore spacing: 4.84 inches
Carburetion: single Holley four-barrel, 1.689-inch primary and secondary bores
Transmission
Manufacturer/Type: Muncie four-speed
Gear ratio: 1st: 2.20:1 2nd: 1.64:1 3rd: 1.27:1 4th: 1.0:1
Axle
Type: 4.11:1 rear axle gear with limited slip (example, others available)
Steering
Type: power-assisted variable ratio; semi-reversible, recirculating ball nut
Overall ratio: 18.7-12.4:1
Curb to curb turning diameter: 42.5 feet
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.9 turns
Brakes
Front: floating caliper disc
Rear: drum with integral vacuum assist
Suspension
Front: independent, short-long arm type with coil springs and spherically jointed steering knuckle for each wheel. Double-acting tube shocks, 1.00-inch piston diameter, Link-type stabilizer, .812-inch diameter
Rear: Salisbury axle with location by upper and lower control arms. Coil springs and 1.00-inch piston diameter tube shocks
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: 14×7 steel wheels
Tires: F70-14 Firestone fiberglass bias-belted
Exterior Measurements
Wheelbase: 112 inches
Length/Width/Height: 197.2/75.4/52.6 inches
Shipping weight: 3,759 pounds
Front track: 60.0 inches
Rear track: 59.8 inches
Performance (Motor Trend Test LS6 w/ THM & 3.31 axle)
0 – 60 mph: 6.0 seconds
Quarter mile: 13.8 seconds @ 97.5 mph
References
Sessler, Peter C. (2001). Chevrolet SS Muscle Car Red Book (Second Edition).
Gunnell, John. (2006). Standard Catalog of American Muscle Cars.
Shuman, A. B. (December 1969). “A Date With Three Strippers”. Motor Trend Magazine.
Kelly, Steve. (May 1970). “Earth Mover”. Hot Rod Magazine.
