1970 Chevelle SS – The Chevelle Super Sport (SS) introduced in 1964 became Chevrolet’s first muscle car to grace the occasion. Chevrolet being one of the powerhouses in the industry launched the Chevelle SS into the segment to topple rivals like Pontiac GTO. This mid-sized automobile that came in three generations for the 1964 through 1978 model years became Chevrolet’s most successful nameplate with over 300,000 units sold.
Chevelle SS body styles include coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. The car offered a 454 cubic inch (7.5-liter) big-block V8 that could be ordered with an advertised 450bhp and 500lb-ft of torque. The Chevelle SS was one of the fastest road cars in the world in the 70s accelerating from 0-60mph within 5 seconds. Let us xray the different generations of the Chevelle SS.
First-generation (1964–1967)
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1970 Chevelle SS – The first generation of Chevell SS was available in Two-door hardtop coupes, and convertibles, four-door sedans, and four-door station wagons. A coupe utility (El Camino) which was a derivative of the two-door wagon was also part of the first generation. The two-door hardtops were called Sport coupes. Four-door hardtops, dubbed Sport Sedans in line with other Chevrolet series were available in 1966 through 1972 while the two-door sedan and station wagon were available in 1964 and 1965 in the base 300 series. Two six-cylinder engines and several V8s were offered in every model.
The Chevelle came with 327-cubic-inch V8, in either 250 or 300 hp. Both used a four-barrel carburetor and 10.5:1 compression. 1965 saw the addition of a 350-hp 327 V8 as Regular Production Option (RPO) L79. 1966 upgrades showcase the “Coke bottle” body shape that eventually became the fad for American cars in the mid-1960s. Other upgraded features included smooth contours, a broad new grille, and bumper treatment as well as curved side windows. Bulging rear fender lines and a “flying buttress” roofline (tunneled into the “C” pillar). A 4-door hardtop-styled Sport Sedan joined the Malibu series.
The different engine options that came with the car were a 327-cubic-inch V8 instead of either of the sixes or the mid-level option, a 220-horsepower 283-cubic-inch V8. Options included a tachometer, mag-style wheel covers, and sintered-metallic brakes, four-way power seats, a tissue dispenser, and cruise control.
Chevelle continued to blossom with the 1967 model facelift that herald the large wraparound taillamps being repositioned at the rear with standard backup lights. Front disc brakes were available on all models, a new dual master cylinder brake system incorporated a warning light and 14-inch wheels. Options included Superlift air shock absorbers, Strato-ease headrests, and special instrumentation.
1970 Chevelle SS – Chevrolet also added a three-speed automatic transmission to their line of transmissions as the 375-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V8 was dropped from the options list until late in the model year and returned with 612 being sold. Still, on its power, seven transmissions were available: two manual three-speeds, two manual four-speeds, an overdrive three-speed, and two automatics. The manual-shift feature of the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was featured. New safety equipment became standard, including a collapsible steering column. The SS396 continued as its own series with both sport coupe and convertible body styles.
The second Generation- 1968-1972
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GM responded to Ford’s introduction of the fifth generation of the Fairlane in 1966 with its second generation of the Chevelle in 1969. Available as a sedan, station wagon, and convertible, the coupe version of this generation was phenomenal. Chevrolet furnished the car with its own V8 engine, providing the enabling environment for its creation to thrive.
The 1969 Chevelle SS was not only known for its performance, but its styling was also another talking point in the car. The car featured a “Coca-Cola” bottle design with long, curved lines, a quad-headlights, and a single-piece chromed bumper at the front teaming up to adorn it with a muscular and sleek appearance that cannot be ignored. The SS badge is so pronounced on the raked-forward grille cast in ABS plastic. The rear of the Chevelle SS was not left out as it boasts unique taillights, bumper, chrome, and double exhaust system to give the rear a muscular look as well.
The car was one of the few cars then that boasts of a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate five passengers with lofty features as well. Chevrolet is well known for its stance when it comes to safety that’s why it equips the Chevelle with some fantastic safety features such as three-point seatbelts and an energy-absorbing steering column. A pair of bucket seats were offered as an option for the front passengers.
Under the hood came a massive V8 396 engine as the SS trim version delivered a 350 hp. Although one will say that was underrated as the car’s performances were far from the figures released. A four-speed manual was offered as standard, while a 3-speed automatic was on the options list. You can always count on its braking system.
Chevrolet Chevelle – 3rd Gen (1973 to 1977)
The third generation offered a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. Trim levels included the base Deluxe, intermediate Malibu & Malibu SS, and the top tier Laguna. The 1973 Oil Embargo and resulting gasoline shortages did not restrain enthusiasts from placing their demands for this midsize car.
Interestingly, Malibu which was just a trim level for the Chevelle took over the entire production line resulting in all Chevelle in the 1976 model being Malibus with exception of the rococo Chevelle Laguna Type S-3. From 1978, this midsize Chevrolet was better known as Malibu eliminating the Chevelle name completely from the scene.
The Classic was the mid-level Chevelle for 1976, between the bargain-basement regular Malibu and the Laguna. GM separated the Classic name from the Malibu in order to create a fleet-only model of the aging N-Body Malibu for the 2004 and 2005 model years: the Chevrolet Classic. The MSRP on a ’76 Chevy Malibu Classic Landau Coupe started at just $4,124 (about $19,300 in 2020 dollars). The Malibu Classic Coupe could be had for a mere $3,636.
1970 Chevelle SS – With the aforementioned price tag, you are sure to get straight-six engines rated at 105 hp and three-on-the-tree column-shifted manual transmissions. This car has the 350-cubic-inch 5.7-liter small-block V8 engine, rated at 145 horses with a two-barrel carburetor and a three-speed automatic transmission. Those options would have pushed the price up to $4,670, very close to that of the $4,673 Monte that year. Available small-block V8s included the 140-horse 305, the 165-horse four-barrel 350 only in California, and the 175-horse 400. It will be fun to have a feel of a third-gen Chevelle with either a straight-six engine or three-on-the-tree manual. The interior of the Malibu Classic boasts a standard cloth bench seat and fold-down center armrest buckets in a variety of petroleum-derived coverings were optional and “simulated rosewood” accents.
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