Of course, the Chevelle you see before you now is a far cry from the one I went to look at initially. Generally I don't care to finish someone else's project. you know the drill; most times the work that's been accomplished isn't done the way you'd have done it, or there are too many parts missing or incorrect, or it's too rusty, or it's the wrong color, or... whatever.

But this one was different. I heard about the car through a friend of a friend. The gentleman who was restoring the Chevelle had passed away before completing the car, and his family didn't know what to do with a partially completed project. Obviously, it would be more difficult to sell than if it were a real running, driving car. The man's son didn't share his interest in high performance machinery, nor his wrench-spinning abilities, but was tasked with the burden of unloading what was to have been his father's pride and joy. Clearly, here was a project that needed the attention of someone like me.

This is a classic view of the '70 SS Chevelle, and one shared with many of its competitors. Twin stripes on the deck lid and a special SS-emblazoned rear bumper pad let everyone know that the '70 Chevelle SS was Something Special. Cool, huh?
Apparently, the son had done some market research and determined on his own that this was a rare car and worth a considerable sum. I was surprised and almost discouraged by the price he first quoted me, but as our conversation about the Chevelle continued he also let me know that the price was negotiable. he told me that he'd had several local tire kickers make offers, but none had returned with the cash they'd offered.

After checking everything over carefully and assessing what it would take to get the Chevelle back on the road, we struck a deal that made us both happy, then loaded it on a rented U-Haul trailer. I must have spent more time looking at that car in my rear view mirror than I did looking at the road as we headed down the interstate back to Nashville. Anybody who's ever dragged a project home knows the planning, scheming, and daydreaming that goes on while the miles roll beneath you as you make your way home. I could already see myself behind the wheel of my yet-to-be-completed project.....top down, wind in my hair, warm sun on my skin, and the torque of a 454 pushing me back against the seat cushion. I could hardly wait to get home to begin working on it.

The red bench interior is nicely appointed with factory gauges, AM-FM radio, power top, and air conditioning.
The best surprise, though, came right after I pulled into our driveway with my new prize. Normally, my wife, LaRae's first response to any new project is "you paid how much for that piece of junk?" This time though, she admitted even she could see the potential there. I knew then that I'd made the right move.

Work began almost immediately. Although the original engine and transmission were gone, virtually every major part needed to put the car together was there. Also, the paint and bodywork were already done. I dragged out my trusty GM parts book, and ordered as many emblems and trim items as I could, along with anything else that was still available for the car. What I couldn't procure through GM was ordered from various Chevelle parts vendors. While the bumpers were being re chromed and I was waiting on my other parts to arrive, the search began in earnest for correctly dated and cast engine components. As I soon found out, LS5 Chevelles were even rarer in 1970 than the highly regarded LS6 versions, and finding the correct engine parts to complete the project became a daunting task. After several months of arduous effort, I decided to slow down the search, and installed a fresh '70-vintage 396 (L34) and Turbo 400 until a correct engine could be located. After all, were sneaking up on summer by this time, and I couldn't wait any longer to get the Chevelle on the road.

Finding a correct LS5 proved to be a lesson in futility; only 4298 were factory-fitted to '70 SS Chevelles and El Caminos. Look closely and you'll see the non-stock chrome accessories and '69 Corvette aluminum Q-jet intake on what was to be a temporarily-installed 350hp/396 (L34) engine from another '70 SS Chevelle.
We truly enjoyed our Super Sport convertible that first summer, with fond memories of warm evenings spent at the local Sonic drive-in, lazy afternoon cruises in the country, and a couple of road trips to SUPER CHEVY Shows in Memphis and Indy.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and with much reluctance, I recently sent the Chevelle to a new home. I've decided to take the money from the sale of the Chevelle, however, and invest it back into the hobby that's given me untold hours of enjoyment, innumerable friends, and an ongoing automotive education. That's right, you're viewing a part of that investment right on your screens. The American Chevelle Enthusiasts Society would still be only an idea, were it not for a certain red '70 Chevelle convertible. I think it's only fitting to pay tribute to it in the premiere issue of CHEVELLE WORLD.

Rounding out the SS package were 14X7 inch five spoke wheels, bright aluminum wheel lip moldings, and a blacked-out grill with a bold SS emblem centered on it.

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