Unbiased views on Chevelle SS

[66 Sat]

Yes this is a Mopar forum but I actually think it's the best place to ask the question.

I'm thinking of buying another car in the future (as well as my Satellite), and have always liked Chevelles, probably a 1970 or 1971 but I'd consider a '68 or '69 too.

For those of you who were around in the late 60's and early 70's, what were these cars like back in the day? If I asked a Chevy Forum I'd just get a load of biased "they're the greatest cars on earth" but I wonder what is the real story? Were they considered good cars when new or when the street racing scene was happening? Strong cars? Good handling? Good quality? ETC

Please no "Chevy crap" comments unless that's the truth and is backed up with some experience / examples. I'd like to hear the good and the bad.

I'm thinking a 396 or 454 SS, 4 speed.
Thanks.

 

[1967coronet]

All of the big three , Built some nice fast cars. Each brand had their weak points and strength.
SS Chevys ran good, Their big block versions were truck motors like Mopar.
Keep them around 4,500 they made power above that they made more noise.
If you jacked them up and stuck wide rubber in back they would wheel hop until your eye balls bounced.
Check the frames on them.

 

[chargervert]

Another thing to keep in mind about Chevelle SS cars is that 1968 is the last year the SS model had a VIN number designation that showed that the car was a real SS model. The first three numbers of the VIN 138 proved the car was a true SS,and 136 were the first three numbers on a standard Chevelle. After 1968 all Chevelle cars had the 136 VIN designation,and the only was to prove that the car was a real SS model was by the build sheet also known as a tank sticker because they are found on top of the gas tank. There are literally a few hundred thousand clone SS cars out there,some are extremely well done,be sure you are getting what you are paying for.

 

[AR67GTX]

The vast majority of SS396 Chevelles were equipped with 396/325 motors and I shamed a number of them with my stock 64 383 Sport Fury in the 60s. To be fair a lot of them were loaded down with options and with high gearing and they were in the same basic category of the 390 Fairlane GTs, and standard HP/engine Buick GSs, Olds 442s, Pontiac GTOs, etc that were optioned out as cruisers and commuters. the few running around with a 4-speed, no AC and a decent rear gear were OK. The 350 and 360 HP optional versions had a bit hotter cam and Holley carb and with the rights gears and a 4-speed they could be pretty interesting. I had a friend with a 66 Chevelle SS, 396/360, 4.11, 4-speed and it was sharp, strong runner. The 375 HP optional versions with solid lifters was the killer option of the time but I think a much higher percentage of surviving cars are running around now with 396/375 air cleaner emblems than were ever sold back then.

The 454 in 70 and beyond, just by shear cubic inches, is a bit of a different animal, but then most of them by the early 70s were being loaded down with full power, AC, Turbo Hydramatic, 3.08 gears, etc. Get one with a 4-speed or a pricey LS6/450HP and they are pretty strong, just like a 440/375, 440/390 Mopar or in the case of an LS6, the Hemi.

For me, the SS 396 cars of 1966 and 67 were always my favorite, followed by the 68 and 69 cars. I was never a big fan of the 70/71 cars but today they seem to be the most popular.

 

[3sloppydogs]

Friend of mine has a 70. He prefers that year for the styling cues such as unique maker lights etc. He has said there are certain areas that rust like crazy where it's hard to see. Overall not bad but as previously stated they will wheel hop with stock rear suspension. A plus is its easy to get parts and generally less expensive

 

[plymouth67]

I can't answer for when they were new but, I have owned a 70 Chevelle and a couple buddies around the same time had a 69 and a 71. I liked my 70, thought it drove good and with the coil spring rear suspension they rode real nice. We all beat the snot out of them and they held together well. My preference would be a 69 from a styling aspect. I agree with a previous poster about checking the frame real well. Mice like to go inside the frame on those GM cars and build nests, the acid in their urine cause major damage to the frame. I have seen more than one GM frame with holes in the frame covered up and painted over.

 

[70ChargerRT]

My brother has restored several 70 454 Chevelles a few 396 cars but never a LS-6 and a few late 60.s and 71 and 72. I think the 70 is probably the best looking but in saying that I know hes complained how junk the frames are and most of them has had some type of cracking or sagging going on with them. He has the frames sandblasted and then gone over and fixes them accordingly to the build.

 

[Dodge Bros]

First car was a 71 Chevelle, still have it. If you asked my how many Mopar’s I have, I could not answer, at least not without at least 15 minutes of counting. If you ask me how many Chevies I have. LOL That’s easy. I have one.

Have had a lot of good times in our Chevelle. SBC 350s were at one time belly button engines, everyone has one, now that has switched to LS engines. The big blocks Chevelle’s are more rare to find. But it seems like many of the decent running 4 bbl 327 and 350 cars could out muscle or hang right with the lower HP big blocks, and even the 375HP 396 just didn’t have the torque to put much distance on a lower HP 396 or a even a 330 HP 327. But the 1970 LS6 454 was pretty wicked. Our 71 Chevelle is in paint and body jail right now. It has a 600+ HP 1971 LS7 454 sitting on a stand waiting to go in it.

We have broke the frame on the front of our Chevelle and had the front tire fall into the fender well. I know of cars that had a ball joint come apart and do the same thing. The back brakes on Chevelle’s and GM car A body cars in general are all pretty small compared to a 3x 11” Mopar B body. Standard drivetrains were pretty weak, puny drive shafts, u joints and 10 bolt rear ends. The GM front end and suspension has a good feel, they drive nice, they need the rear anti sway bar very badly. Like mentioned, the A GM bodies have can have pretty bad wheel hop with the back end up. We had wheel hop so bad once that the top dash came off and landed on the passengers. LOL. Our dash in our Chevelle shakes and rattles now, probably missing some important bolt some where.

Compared to other GM A bodies, like GTO’s and 442s, the average Chevelle SS is the plainest of them all. Chevelle’s are good looking cars, but lack cool stuff like exciting stripes and interior goodies Mopar did with sales gimmick’s, wild colors, interiors and stripes. If you put a bunch of boring executives and cheap bean counters in a room they would send out a Chevelle SS. If you mixed the room with some folks that liked to party they would send out a GTO Judge, W30 Olds 442, or a Buick GSX. Then you look at what the room must have looked like at Mopar, and it in is a mix of bean counters and lawyers, Priest’s, parents with kids, crazy hot chicks and some junkies on LSD.

 

[icetech]

Yes this is a Mopar forum but I actually think it's the best place to ask the question.

I'm thinking of buying another car in the future (as well as my Satellite), and have always liked Chevelles, probably a 1970 or 1971 but I'd consider a '68 or '69 too.

For those of you who were around in the late 60's and early 70's, what were these cars like back in the day? If I asked a Chevy Forum I'd just get a load of biased "they're the greatest cars on earth" but I wonder what is the real story? Were they considered good cars when new or when the street racing scene was happening? Strong cars? Good handling? Good quality? ETC

Please no "Chevy crap" comments unless that's the truth and is backed up with some experience / examples. I'd like to hear the good and the bad.

I'm thinking a 396 or 454 SS, 4 speed.
Thanks.

I built a lot of chevelles (mostly 70-72) my buddies growing up all had them... I like them a lot, they ride good, SUPER easy to work on.. parts are cheap... and can still buy them for a good price..
I am not a fan of 68-69 at all.. but that's just personal taste..

The only downside is chevy never made a good 4 speed, a "Rockcrusher" will 100% die on you.. and minimum you will enjoy trying to put your linkage back together on the side of the road at some point (no idea why they are so ****.. but they are)

I would get a aftermarket 5spd and 3.91s or so if i were to do it today.

Really like the cars though.. the rear suspension being coils and not leafs make them ride really nice.

 

[chargervert]

First car was a 71 Chevelle, still have it. If you asked my how many Mopar I have, I could not answer, at least not without at least 15 minutes of counting. If you ask me how many Chevies I have. LOL That’s easy. I have one.

Have had a lot of good times in our Chevelle. SBC 350s were at one time belly button engines, everyone has one, now that has switched to LS engines. The big blocks Chevelle’s are more rare to find. But it seems like many of the decent running 4 bbl 327 and 350 cars could out muscle or hang right with the lower HP big blocks, and even the 375HP 396 just didn’t have the torque to put much distance on a lower HP 396 or a even a 330 HP 327. But the 1970 LS6 454 was pretty wicked. Our 71 Chevelle is in paint and body jail right now. It has a 600+ HP 1971 LS7 454 sitting on a stand waiting to go back into it.

Compared to other GM A bodies, like GTO’s and 442s, the average Chevelle SS is the plainest of them all. Chevelle’s are good looking cars, but lack cool stuff like exciting stripes and interior goodies Mopar did with sales gimmick’s, wild colors, interiors and stripes. If you put a bunch of boring executives and cheap bean counters in a room they would send out a Chevelle SS. If you mixed the room with some folks that liked to party they would send out a GTO Judge, Olds 442, or a Buick GSX. Then you look at what the room must have looked like at Mopar, and it in is a mix of bean counters and lawyers, Priest’s, parents with kids, crazy hot chicks and some junkies on LSD.

If you ask me how many Chevies I have,the answer is the same as your answer is,one! Mopars,over twenty!

 

[matthon]

the only was to prove that the car was a real SS model was by the build sheet also known as a tank sticker because they are found on top of the gas tank.

A friend had a 71 SS, he said there's a number stamped into the top of the frame that designates it as a real SS, driver's side rear, can only be seen with body off.
No idea if that's accurate.

Maybe period articles would be helpful.
There's an old early 80s Hot Rod magazine article on the 70 LS6 Chevelle, I still have it somewhere. They beat the heck out of it, and it wasn't a 'new car' or a hopped up review. More of a used car beating.

Buildsheet can be in a few places, back seat, under carpet, etc.

I subscribe to Patrick's channel, this guy knows a thing or two about Chevelles.

 

[Vitamin_A12]

My kid ownes a ‘69 Charger and a ‘69 Chevelle…they look great together!

 

[mmissile]

I'd have a BB 4-speed 67.

 

[chargervert]

My friend had a green 70 Chevelle SS 396 4 speed car. I actually found the car for him as a roller. I found him a rebuilt 70 454 engine for the car,and we located a M20 Muncie 4 speed for the car. The car was solid with only some rust on the bottom of the front fenders and a silver dollar sized hole on the underside of the rear quarter panel on the drivers side behind the rear wheel. He never did anything with the car for over 20 years. He ended up selling it about seven years ago for ten grand. I should have grabbed the car,but I had no idea he was going to sell it,especially for that short amount of money. I think we paid three grand for it as a roller.

 

[chargervert]

I'd have a BB 4-speed 67.

I had a 67 Chevelle SS 396 auto 12 bolt car,but it needed a complete body off restoration. It ran and drove,but it was tired,it had a hard life.

 

[Dodge Bros]

1971 and 1972 Chevelle’s there is no way I know of to really document a SS 454 or a 307 Malibu that has been restored to make it look like a SS 454. It is most risky to pay big money for a high end rare 71 or 72 SS because they are much much harder to document without the full history of the car. A 1970 is definetly the most desirable Chevelle SS, best engine options, and good factory documentation. The 68 and 69 COPO Chevelles are very desirable too, especially the Yanko dealer cars.

One of my Dad’s buddies was a mechanic for the local GM garage and bought a new GM muscle car every year. He had several 350 and 375 HP 396 Chevelle’s. The last 69 Chevelle SS he had was a 375HP 396, 4 speed, and the dealer got in a 70 Buick GSX 455 in 1970 and he traded for it. That die hard Chevy guy said man that Chevelle wasn’t anything compared to that Buick. The Buick would run circles around his 396s. Still find that funny coming from a die hard Chevy guy.

 

[chargervert]

1971 and 1972 Chevelle’s there is no way I know of to really document a SS 454 or a 307 Malibu that has been restored to make it look like a SS 454. It is most risky to pay money for a high end 71 or 72 SS because they are much harder to document without the full history of the car. A 1970 is definetly the most desirable Chevelle SS, best engine options, and good factory documentation. The 68 and 69 COPO Chevelles are very desirable too, especially the Yanko dealer cars.

If you venture into LS6 cars,Yenko and COPO Chevelles you are playing in the deep end of the pool moneywise! I would buy a Hemi Mopar first.

 

[bandit67]

While the 70 models were always my favorite, I wound up owning 6 69 Chevelle's at one time, 2 four door sedans and 4 SS cars. Growing up down south, no one owned/drove a Mopar by choice, it was either GMs or Ferds. I got bored with GMs about 18 years ago and started collecting Mopars.
I have done frame off restorations on four of my cars, one four door and three of my SS 396 cars. My fourth SS car is too much of a surviver car and will be kept as original as possible with what's left.
It is true that by 1969 ordering an SS car became a checked off option rather than a designated model number stamped on the trim tag. But, it is not true you can identify any stamping on a the frame as a true SS car. Only frame stamping was by the manufacturing company, mostly A O Smith, the water heater maker. There is a partial vin number stamped on the firewall near or under the heater box.
Of the four originals I have totally disassemble and restored, all Atlanta built cars, I have never found a build sheet anywhere as they are reported to be. Mopars are way superior with trim tags and build sheets as knowing how the car was built. All my old Mopars from the 60's and 70's still had readable build sheets under the back seats as well as intact trim tags.
All the cars from that time frame by all the manufacturers back then had a designated life span of four years and were made that way. GM metal rust/rots way different than Mopar of that time. When you understand their different processes of rustproofing, you can see why.
Only 396s were available as in regular production cars in 1969, 454s came in 70 and up models. For 69, they came in 325, 350, and 375 horsepower engines with the 350 being the most produced. The 325 and 350 hp models came with the Quadrajet carbs while the 375 got the big Holly carb.
They are fun cars to me, and far cheaper to restore/rebuild than most any Mopar, as there are many more venders making replacement parts more readily available. But, Im biased, I love all the muscle cars of our 60s and 70s, get one.

 

[eldubb440]

I'd have a BB 4-speed 67.

I prefer the 66, but yeah

 

[Rebelrouser]

Yes this is a Mopar forum but I actually think it's the best place to ask the question.

I'm thinking of buying another car in the future (as well as my Satellite), and have always liked Chevelles, probably a 1970 or 1971 but I'd consider a '68 or '69 too.

For those of you who were around in the late 60's and early 70's, what were these cars like back in the day? If I asked a Chevy Forum I'd just get a load of biased "they're the greatest cars on earth" but I wonder what is the real story? Were they considered good cars when new or when the street racing scene was happening? Strong cars? Good handling? Good quality? ETC

Please no "Chevy crap" comments unless that's the truth and is backed up with some experience / examples. I'd like to hear the good and the bad.

I'm thinking a 396 or 454 SS, 4 speed.
Thanks.

I always have been a Mopar guy, but a lot of my friends were and still are Chevy people. I worked at a chevy Dealership from 1976 to 1983, so a lot of the muscle cars came through the dealership to be serviced. To be honest when comparing Mopars and GM vehicles of that time, GM built a higher quality body, less rattles and they rode smoother, but as mentioned if you hot rodded them they wheel hopped terrible. GM 4 speeds were junk. My buddy had a 66 375HP Chevelle and he could break a munsi 4 speed any time he wanted to, the trick when street racing was to just run it hard enough it didn't break. At that time I had a 70 340 4speed Dart and my buddy could not believe the abuse the A-833 could take.

We had several big block Chevelles that the frames would sag from the weight of the engines and we had to jack them back into place before you could align them. If you are going to buy one just look at the upper A-arms If there are no shims left between the frame and control arm new suspension parts might not fix it.

Chevy's were then and are now the cheapest cars to fix and restore. I personally thing the Chevy big block is one of the best engine platforms ever made for a performance car. I love 440's but Mopars just don't have a cylinder head like a Chevy. When I was street racing my 340 Dart, I could beat about every small block Chevy, but a good big block not so much.