CHEVELLE SS CONVERTIBLE

STATUS: Original.

YEARS: 1970.

COMPLETED TASKS:

➢  Step (1) Correction Paint.
➢  Step (2) Polished Fine.
➢  Spray Wax Shine Premium Gyeon Q2.
➢  Ultra Gloss Finish.

REVIEW:

It was possible to take advantage of the quality of the car’s clear coat; in order to get the best shine possible. This type of work can appreciate the visual change according to the year of this Chevelle.

Work time: 2.5 days.

CHEVELLE SS CONVERTIBLE OVERVIEW:

In fact, Chevy offered two 454s for 1970. The tamer of the two, the LS5, was rated at 360 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, enough twisting force to best the vaunted Hemi by 10 lb-ft and the Boss ‘9 by 50 lb-ft. If that wasn’t hairy enough, the brutish LS6 was also available, with a rock-solid four-bolt main cap foundation and breathing through giant valves in the heads and a premium-guzzling 780-cfm Holley four-barrel. The torque rating for the LS6 equaled the LS5, but the horsepower rating grew to 450 hp, a number that was most likely shy of actual output by more than a few dozen ponies.

All that power was wrapped in arguably the best-looking Chevelle ever. The 1970 Chevelle was bulked up with muscular fenders, a chunkier grille between the quad headlights—which were restyled and separated—reshaped C-pillars, and new bumpers front and rear. SS models were fitted with the trademark bulging hood, which now could be topped by the ZL2 Cowl Induction system, a vacuum-actuated flap that allowed cold air to flow into the Holley.

The car you see here is rarer still. High estimates put LS6 convertible production at 70 units. It could be as few as 20 were built. Is it any wonder, then, that the car’s owner, Gene Bumgardner, has a thing for ’70 Chevelles? This is the third one he has owned; previous Chevelles in Gene’s garage included a SS396 coupe and another SS454 convert, that one a LS5 model.

“There’s just something about them, their stance, that roofline. They just got it,” says Gene. “They are the last of the four-headlight cars, and I love the way GM did the bulges in the body. They’re muscular, yet sexy.”