It was during the 1970s when the age of muscle cars has reached its peak, and one of the vehicles which heralded this ascent is none other than the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454. The moment GM lifted the displacement ban on the midsize cars, Buick, Olds and Pontiac responded with the 455-cid mills with as much as 370 bhp. As for Chevrolet, their retort was the 454-cid V-8 which started at 360 bhp then ended with the barbaric 450, thus paving way for the summit of muscle cars.
Its wrapper was the restyled Chevelle which once again presented the SS or Super Sport as a good option package for convertibles and hardtops. Just like the SS 396, this was priced at $446 packed with the 350-bhp 402-cid V-8, F41 suspension, power front discs, a doomed hood and the Polyglas F70x14s. There were also optional fat dorsal stripes but were already a part of the new cowl-induction hood that comes with a flapper close to the windshield base which opened at a full throttle in order to feed the engine with air.
The Exterior
Similar to the GM A-Body Siblings, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 has been solidly built although this is not necessarily impervious to rust. The cars in the northern regions have the tendency to show some rust in their lower fenders, lower doors and the quarter panels while the fill panel found in between the trunk lid and rear window can collect water and rust through as a result. As benefitting the immense popularity of Chevelle, an extensive plethora of reproduction partial or full replacement body panels can provide a new lease on life even though as far as financial standpoint is concerned, this might not really be that much of a sensible plan for restoration.
The Interiors
Madrid/Elk vinyl and Roncina cloth seating was the standard on the closed and benched seated 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454. The interchangeable door panels on every model of Chevelle from t970 to 1972 differed just with the SS-nameplate trims. Its glove compartment doors were also interchangeable with the modern Monte Carlo that also shared the standard instrumentation. These can then be upgraded with accessory gauges and a tacho to replace its standard warning lamps. New package shelves, carpeting, seat foams, dashboard units, and door panels are some of the numerous interior products which are currently being reproduced.
The Engines and Suspension
The engines of the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is no doubt the very thing that makes this model extra special. During the 1970s, the model could also be fitted with one of the two 454-cu.in V-8s. As was the standard practice during its day, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 also made use of an independent front suspension and live axle with 4-link suspension setup at the rear portion. Its front had lower and upper control arms with heavy duty coil springs, ball joints, standard 1.25 inch diameter antiroll bar and AC Delco shocks. Its rear upper made use of lower and upper control arms, Delco shocks and coil springs. Every stock suspension part is reproduced to boost factory correct restorations yet the NOS date coded spiral tube shocks have become pricey and rare.
