1970 Chevelle SS LS6 vs LS5 vs L78 current market values

[Rainer]

Interested in hearing opinions on the current values of LS6, LS5 and L78 1970 Chevelles. I realize that the LS6 is the top of the mark and has always commanded the highest prices. I'm curious about how the LS5 and L78 stack up. I've heard one suggestion that an L78 will be worth roughly have the LS6 value, comparing similar cars (pedigree, paperwork, condition, etc). Does that ballpark guide seem accurate? Will an LS5 bring more than a comparable L78? Thoughts?

[L78M22Rag]

I would slot the L78 2nd in line behind the LS6, given that the L78 is a high performance motor and there’s fewer of them. The LS5, being a lower compression motor, would be a close third.

[carnut4life]

I completely agree with Helmut but I'm a little surprised the L78 cars don't bring a premium over the LS5 since they are twice as rare were only available until the LS6 came out. That said, I've been looking for a documented #'s matching LS5/M22 70 Chevelle in red for a couple years now and haven't found a single car meeting my search criteria but I've seen numerous red LS6/L78 cars for sale.

[Lee Stewart]

The only LS5 cars I see bring big money are the convertibles.

[Ralph Spears]

In 1973 a friend offered me his 1970 LS-6 4 speed red convertible for $ 2,500 but i turned it down because i was buying a new 1973 Corvette ( talk about a stupid move )

[ohhawk]

Agree with the value rankings noted previously. Not that rarity always equates to value but I can tell you that as a previous longer term owner of a documented / restored LS5 convertible you would be hard pressed to find very many that have been listed for sale in the last couple decades that have a true build sheet for documentation......many pretenders that lack proper (or real) documentation.

I know that one gentleman on this site has a real one......Carolina Blue if I recall :)

P.S. My old one is now living in the Albaugh collection surrounded by other noted Chevrolet convertibles.

[L78M22Rag]

Agree with the value rankings noted previously. Not that rarity always equates to value but I can tell you that as a previous longer term owner of a documented / restored LS5 convertible you would be hard pressed to find very many that have been listed for sale in the last couple decades that have a true build sheet for documentation......many pretenders that lack proper (or real) documentation.

I know that one gentleman on this site has a real one......Carolina Blue if I recall :)

P.S. My old one is now living in the Albaugh collection surrounded by other noted Chevrolet convertibles.

That “gentleman” would be me. I’m blessed to own both this Tuxedo Black LS6/M22 survivor and this Carolina Blue LS5 4-speed convertible survivor, and both still wear their original factory paint.

[Zedder]

Damn Helmut....those are beautiful!

[seventieshow]

"Carolina Blue"...Wow, that is really a fantastic looking color and car.

[67since67]

WOW!!! :cool2:

[70Guy]

Having owned an L78 car and currently own LS6 and LS5 cars, it is a narrow market. Do I think they are of equal or very close value? Gotta say YES. If it is a correct paper work car, I would pay the same for an LS5 car, maybe a dash more for an LS6 car, only because the real L78 cars are harder to come by.
Only die hard 70 guys know what they are. But my personal opinion as a life time chevelle guy, to the right person an L78 car is awesome, you just need to get the right buyer.
People go all GOOGOO at a stop light when they see the SS454 on the fender.
Real car guys will hear the mechanical cam shaft when they see the SS396 and think its right on.
They are rare, just not as popular with the not educated car people, money people like the flash.....

Just my BS unfact based opinion......

[ohhawk]

Helmut - you have a couple of gems for sure. Ours was a very early Van Nuys production with buckets / 4 speed. Produced one day later than one of the earliest produced LS6 convertibles on record......both Van Nuys cars and both shipped to the Denver area.

[Richls5]

I’d rather have a l78 than my ls5 I looked for over a year and went with the ls5 over the l78 just because I couldn’t find one