Every country that boasts of having success in the car manufacturing industry has a car that represents what the country stands for as far as cars go. For Italy, Ferrari is at the top of the podium as for other countries like Germany you have Mercedes, and for Japan, Toyota takes the win.
For the US, muscle cars are the order of the day. Well, they, however, take second place after pickup trucks. The fascination with fitting big engines into small body kits dates back to 1949, with the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 setting the pace.
It was not long after this when companies like Ford and Chevrolet got involved with building cars that not only represented America’s interpretation of power but also what it meant to drive a roaring beast. While muscle cars may have contributed to America’s success in the motor industry, they did come under threat.
In the late 1960s, after new EPA regulations were set, the increase in the number of Japanese cars in the American market and the oil crisis muscle cars were losing their value. However, this did not stop the companies from building cars that would go on to become some of the most sought after and coveted cars in the world.
One of these many cars that have, over the years, caught the eye of many car enthusiasts is the 1970 Chevelle SS 454. In this piece, we are going to look into some of the key reasons why you should buy a 1970 Chevelle SS 454.
Let's take a closer look at this classic muscle car.
History of the 1970 Chevelle SS 454
Back in the day, there were not many things that determined if a car was worth buying or not. If you were shopping for a muscle car, then only the horsepower was your main concern. This saw many cars build from the late 1950s to the late 1980s to feature powertrains whose horsepower was said to be beyond normal daily drivers.
One of the cars that met this standard was the 1970 Chevelle SS 454. This car went on to become Chevrolet’s most loved nameplates. If you had the chance to drive this beauty, then you agree that this car was more of an enigma in person than it is on paper or screen.
The Chevelle, like many other American muscle cars of its time, featured a big powertrain and “petite” body. This car was Chevrolet’s build that would go head-to-head with the Ford Fairlady. Other cars that were termed or thought to be competition for the Chevelle SS 454 included the Ford Mustang GT 427, the Chevrolet Yenko Camaro, the Corvette Stingray, and the Chevelle SS.
Powertrain
When the Chevelle made its debut in 1963, it came with a standard 283 cubic-inch V8 engine. However, this powertrain was neither efficient nor did it last long. This engine developed 220 horsepower. In 1964, GM fitted the Chevelle with a 371 cubic-inch V8 engine that made 300 horsepower.
Two years later, in 1976, the Chevelle was fitted with a big block 396 cubic-inch powertrain. This was only offered in 200 units of the Chevelle. This started the Bowties foray when it came to big-block engines. The 396 cubic0inch engine was in production all through to 1969. The horsepower range of this engine was 325, 350, and 375 horsepower.
In 1970 GM rolled out the Chevelle SS 454. It was powered by a 454 cubic-inch front engine. This was the biggest engine in the market at the time.
This engine pushed 450 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and delivered 500 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm to the rear wheels. This made it the leader of the Bowtie Brigade. This engine was mated to a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission that had a 3.31 ratio.
Design
Modern muscle cars pretty, safe, and powerful. However, they fall short of what their predecessors presented, which is raw power and sophistication. Since GM rolled out the first Chevelle SS in 1963, they strived to make sure that while the SS’s engine evolved, so did its design. Eventually, in 1970, the Chevelle SS rolled off the production line with a body that fitted the beast.
The squared body, long hood, short deck, and aggressive angles made the Chevelle stand out of the crowd. This car also featured emblems throughout the car, quad headlights that had a chrome bar, and it came with optional stereo stripes.
The numbers
For many muscle car enthusiasts, numbers are key when it comes to determining if a car is worth buying or not. When it comes to the 1970 Chevelle SS 454, the numbers are quite impressive compared to other cars in its category.
For performance, the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 completed a 0 to 60 mph run in 6.1 seconds. A ¼ mile sprint in 13.7 seconds at a top speed of 103.1 mph. The Average top speed of this beauty was marked as 162 mph.
Other key numbers of the 1970 Chevelle SS are, it had a curb weight of 3807 lbs, it was 197 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 53 inches high. It had a wheelbase of 112 inches.