SS4REAL's ...SS for real !

[Belair62]

As with many members of the SYC site who have relentlessly pursued their dream cars for years, I tracked this 1970 Chevelle SS454 LS5 for many years and across 3 states before I was able to work a timely deal with the previous owner. Speaking of owners, I'm the lucky 4th owner of this frame-off restored Chevelle. Built at the Lakewood Plant in Atlanta Georgia during the 4th week of January 1970, the Chevelle was shipped to Rich Chevrolet & Cadillac in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. As the story unfolds, the original owner was Gary Greenwood who owned Greenwood Oil in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania and he kept the car until October of 1988. The second owner was a very talented machinist and hot rodder who completed the full frame-off by 1993. Looking to build another hot rod, he sold the car to the 3rd owner out of Chicago in October of 1994 who was heavily into muscle cars of all types and a professional wrench. The car was brought to even higher standards and was a recipient of a Chevy/Vettfest National Silver Spinner Award in February, 1996. When the owner moved from Chicago to San Diego, I called on the car out of Hemmings and found it less than 5 miles from my work in Southern California. As real estate in San Diego began to escalate in price, I was able to trade my 1970 SS454 Monte Carlo plus some cash to the owners at just the right time as they were looking to make a down payment on a house. I've owned the Chevelle since April, 1998.

In addition, I've got the original build sheet which was found glued inside the door panel and documents every option that is on the car today. I took it off the show circuit and I've put about 500 miles per year on the odometer which reads 78,591 as I write this. The car was dyno-tuned by Joe Jill at Superior Automotive in Southern California and puts out a respectable 287.6 peak HP at the rear wheels with 415.7 ft. lbs. max torque through it's original engine, transmission and rear end. Photographed by Robert Genat, the car is on the cover of his book titled "Chevrolet SS" with multiple photographs inside. It's a lot of fun and there's nothing like the sound of the M22 backed by a big block Chevy going through those gears.

Jim Ross
SS4REAL on the SYC site


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/testchevelle022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/chevelle004700.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/chevelle005700.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/chevelle019700.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/chevelle012700.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x10-18-04%20Jim%20Ross%20SS4Real%2070%20SS/testchevelle008.jpg

[Xplantdad]

Way Cool! Nothing better that a red with black stripe Chevelle SS 454. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif


Bruce

[sYc]

Neat cat..Unusual interior color though. What is it called?

[GM-26]

Gorgeous car! The interior is Code 770. Which is "Saddle Vinyl Bench". Gives the car a nice contrast. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[SS427]

VERY nice Jim!! Very nicely done. Got one of the Lane Collectable LS-6's yet? Perfect match. Enjoy the car!

http://www.diecast-pub.com/forums2/index.php?showtopic=17372&hl=
Rick

[427TJ]

Love the red ones! Beautiful car and probably a real blast to drive.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif x 100

[Charley Lillard]

Do you really keep a cover on your John Deere lawn mower ?

[SS4Real]

Hey, that John Deere mower cost more today than the Chevelle did when it was new. Ok, it was just covered for the pictures and to see who would figure out what I had under the cover first.

[Charley Lillard]

It must have Spin Steer to cost that much..

[Pantera]

I hate you!!!! I am so jealous! I have not seen that much of my garage floor since I bought my house.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Pantera

[Stuart Adams]

Beautiful car.

[mmcporter]

Congrats. Beautiful car AND garage.

Morris

[Pantera]

I don't even want to think about the car or else I will want it and I don't have room or the $$$$ for one. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[SS4Real]

Thanks for the comments (yes, I have the Lane model too). The main garage is 46 x 30. I'm building another that will look like a showroom this summer and will be about 40 x 30. Here are a few outside shots of the Chevelle before the snow started here in Oregon and the John Deere was converted to a snow thrower.

[SS4Real]

another

[SS4Real]

last one...

[Stuart Adams]

Watch out for the flying golf balls!! Which course is that?

[SS4Real]

Lost Tracks golf course in Bend, Oregon. It's ok now to drive up to the clubhouse in one of these.

[SS427]

All you need now Jim is some heavy rope and some wooden stakes!!

[Pantera]

That just brings tears to my eyes. I want one just like it so bad. I should have been born rich cause I would have one of each of GM's best.

[GM-26]

Did someone say, "Heavy ropes and wooden stakes?!" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[SS427]

Dat be da one! Wouldn't it be neat to replicate that again. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ORIGLS6]

The ropes would have to be wrapped in diapers or micro fleece to keep from damaging the paint! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[COPO427]

Very sweet!! I'm still looking for a 1-3 owner SS flapper car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif A big garage with a furnace too. Holy smokes.

[70 ls6 convert]

Thats the nicest red paint job ive ever seen,!!!

[carnut4life]

Well here are a few pictures of my new pride and joy. Several of you probably figured it out in September but this is the car I finally purchased after two and a half years of looking for a Cranberry Red LS5/M22 1970 Chevelle that met all the criteria I was looking for, a documented, born with drivetrain car, with complete ownership history to fill the void of the first car I ever bought back in May of 1987. My first Chevelle was a red L34/M20 car that needed everything but over the years I decided a LS5 would be the perfect Chevelle for me since they were half the price of a LS6, still had a M22 and a were little rarer. I started seriously looking for a Chevelle in May of 2019 after I found a black LS5/M22 survivor in Atlantic, IA with 21k miles that I passed on that my buddy Mark ended up buying. Looking back I should have bought the black car but I didn’t have the space for it at the time but it lit a fire in me to start looking for a Cranberry Red or Shadow Gray to replace my first Chevelle. I started looking online every day and quickly realized finding a documented car with the original drivetrain would be a lot harder than I first thought since most were clones, restamps or had fake build sheets. In May of 2020 my girlfriend and I sold our 69 COPO Camaro so I finally had the space for a car but still wasn’t having any luck finding one so I finally put a want ad on the Yenko site looking for one. In February of 2021 a Shadow Gray LS5 popped up on the Minneapolis Craiglist so I drove up and looked at it that night. It had the nicest build sheet and window sticker that I’d ever seen but had some poor trunk, floor and quarter panel repairs I didn’t want to deal with so I passed on it and kicked myself all the way home figuring the next person to come look at it would probably buy it( they did the next day). Around this time my buddy Mark sent me the link to the thread of the red LS5 69L78 found back in 2013 and posted about here on the Yenko site. While looking through the thread I noticed a post by SS4REAL about his LS5 Chevelle so I sent him a message asking if he knew of any others like his. He didn’t but we agreed to stay in touch and over the next several month’s I kept Jim in the loop about how my search was going and found out he had just as much trouble finding his car back in 1998. In late August a friend give me a lead about a red LS6 Chevelle project with the original engine that was missing the original transmission and rear end. Waiting to hear back from the owner to find out if the carb and distributor were original(they weren’t) I found out the car had been sold 4 minutes earlier. The next day I emailed Jim and let him know about my good luck and he told me for the price of the project car he’d sell me his LS5. Since I really wanted an LS5 anyway and knew I wouldn’t be able to afford restoring the LS6 until I retired I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this car. A few days later Jim set me up with Jim from Enclosed Muscle Transport and three days later the car arrived here in Iowa. All I’ve done to the car so far is install an original looking shifter handle and knob on the Hurst shifter and purchase a dated carb, starter and water pump for it to get it as original as possible eventually. Last week the new F70/14 Goodyear Polyglas tires I bought from Rusty arrived so my son and I put the original wheels back on it and I’m thrilled with the stance of the car. The new personalized license plates for it showed up for it yesterday, while I was devastated that SS4REAL plates were already taken here in Iowa I was pretty happy that I was able to get 70SS454 by putting a O in the form instead of 0, especially since the zero in IA has a / through it. While I was originally hoping to find a car with black interior, since we put the Goodyear tires and original wheels back on it I’m really falling for the saddle interior and couldn’t be happier with the car. Sorry for the book but since I bored everyone about my search in my want ad for the last year and a half I wanted to update those who cared to read about it and to thank Jim for being such a great guy to deal with and tip my hat to him for taking such great care of the car for the last 23 years.

[Too Many Projects]

To me, that Saddle interior looks SOOOO much better with red than black does. Really brightens the car up.
Congrats on getting a car you've wanted for so long.

I bought an original, 1 owner, LS5/M22 in 1973 for ~$2,200. Do I wish I still had it, um yeah, but I swapped the engine out for an LS6 in about 1977 and I still have the original LS5 in my '66 SS...:headbang:

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Congrats and stunning SS 454 LS5, love the Saddle bench seat interior !

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Carnut4life curious to know what plant that car was built in as I see SS door panel emblems and a 5000 Red line Tach ?

[carnut4life]

Carnut4life curious to know what plant that car was built in as I see SS door panel emblems and a 5000 Red line Tach ?

It's an 01D Atlanta car with the 938 code 5k tach error on the build sheet Danny. I'm assuming the car originally had Malibu emblems but I doubt I'll change them. This is the car I sent you the message on Facebook about a couple days ago looking for the headlight molding trim. It's an early enough car I figure it probably had them when new? I also got the 1970 Chevrolet dealer kit from you and Tom to go with it since the car on the cover is almost a twin to this car.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

It's an 01D Atlanta car with the 938 code 5k tach error on the build sheet Danny. I'm assuming the car originally had Malibu emblems but I doubt I'll change them. This is the car I sent you the message on Facebook about a couple days ago looking for the headlight molding trim. It's an early enough car I figure it probably had them when new? I also got the 1970 Chevrolet dealer kit from you and Tom to go with it since the car on the cover is almost a twin to this car.

Wow Chad did not know thats your car, just beautiful, yes many SS 454's built out of Atlanta had the 5000 red line tach. Easy fix on the door panels anyways ! I'll try hard to get you those Extension moldings soon. I posted the same photos in our group of your car. Enjoy that beautiful ride, I really love it.

[NorCam]

Great looking car for sure. I want one of these now.

[olredalert]

----I easily could be wrong, but I have always been under the assumption that LS5's have always had SS door panel trim. LS5's were available from opening day and LS6's as we know weren't out really until late Nov, early Dec. My old LS5 convert's door panels were never off until I took them off in 1978 or so and positively had SS emblems. It was an Atlanta SS.....Bill S

[Jonesy]

Just a beautiful car all around. Would love to find one like this.

[dustinm]

Awesome. I also think in a sea of black interiors, saddle is very refreshing.

[70LS6454]

Beautiful car. Congratulations on finally finding a nice one.

[Too Many Projects]

----I easily could be wrong, but I have always been under the assumption that LS5's have always had SS door panel trim. LS5's were available from opening day and LS6's as we know weren't out really until late Nov, early Dec. My old LS5 convert's door panels were never off until I took them off in 1978 or so and positively had SS emblems. It was an Atlanta SS.....Bill S


I was always lead to believe the 454 engine could not be released until January 1. My 02 Kansas LS5 had Malibu door emblems.

[carnut4life]

----I easily could be wrong, but I have always been under the assumption that LS5's have always had SS door panel trim. LS5's were available from opening day and LS6's as we know weren't out really until late Nov, early Dec. My old LS5 convert's door panels were never off until I took them off in 1978 or so and positively had SS emblems. It was an Atlanta SS.....Bill S

I could easily be wrong too Bill, I believe no SS 454 Chevelle's' had SS emblems on the build sheets like the SS 396 Chevelle's did so it's pretty common for them to have either SS or Malibu emblems but I think its more common for earlier cars to have Malibu emblems. As far as the production dates go, from everything I've read the LS5 and LS6 cars both came put late due to the changes made to the M22.

[Richls5]

Holding out was well worth it! Congrats the saddle interior looks killer on the red!

[carnut4life]

My son was dying for a ride in the Chevelle so we finally took it out for the first time this afternoon and got a few pics of it.

[SS4Real]

A few pictures from the original post before it became Chad's Chevelle in September and moved from Oregon to Iowa. It's a great car with a great new owner!

[SS4Real]

Last one of the engine. It was nice that it could go from one SYC member to another and Chad was a true car guy and gentleman during the sale.

[Mr70]

Very nice.

[mrhp]

Great hearing from you Jim and congrats to Chad on this great ride. How about The Showcase - Chevy 'Vette Fest - McCormick Place Chitown February 1996 and San Diego July 1996:

[69M22Z]

Cool

[mrhp]

I did not know about the tach error being factory from KC until reading this thread, and neither did the judges at that time. I had the dash out to replace the side vents and the gauge cluster appeared to never have been messed with. IIRC the points lost may have been the difference between Silver and Gold.

[carnut4life]

Thanks for the pics Robb, those are great! I noticed the points deduction for the 5k tach on the Vette Fest judging sheet Jim sent me. I'm glad you didn't change it or I'd be looking for another to switch it back. Jim did a great job of preserving the car and its history and I'm proud to own it. Hard to believe the car still looks so good 25-30 years later, cheers to you both!

[mrhp]

More Chevy 'VetteFest:

[Xplantdad]

Way cool license plate, too! :biggthumpup:

[carnut4life]

Those are awesome Robb, thanks for posting them! If you ever decide to get rid of any of that stuff I'd gladly buy them from you and pay for the ride to Iowa. If you ever make it to Iowa and want to see or drive it again your old Chevelle again you're always welcome to stop by and check it out too.

[mrhp]

Thanks Chad. Will do. On both counts.

[NorCam]

My son was dying for a ride in the Chevelle so we finally took it out for the first time this afternoon and got a few pics of it.

We need more pics of this car. I don't know what it is...but all of a sudden I want a red Chevelle because of this. :no:

[Too Many Projects]

We need more pics of this car. I don't know what it is...but all of a sudden I want a red Chevelle because of this. :no:
Shouldn't be difficult to find a red Chevelle. Seems there's more now than were made...:wink:

[carnut4life]

We need more pics of this car. I don't know what it is...but all of a sudden I want a red Chevelle because of this. :no:

I'll posts more pics this summer once when we get it out again Graeme. Got a new engine harness and an original set of valve covers to put on and a set of headlamp extension moldings I'd like to try on it to see what it looks like with them on it.

Good luck if you decide to get a red 70 Chevelle Graeme. I've had many cars that are much rarer than the LS5 I bought but finding a documented, born with drivetrain car with
a known ownership history was harder to find than any of the others I've had over the years.

[Richls5]

We need more pics of this car. I don't know what it is...but all of a sudden I want a red Chevelle because of this. :no:

same! but it would have to have saddle interior it looks great

[NorCam]

Good luck if you decide to get a red 70 Chevelle Graeme.

Starting to look for one now. Just sold my house and I'm looking at another property with with 2 shops and enough room for 8 cars...so maybe it's time?

[carnut4life]

Congratulations Graeme and good luck with your search. Two shops and 8 cars sounds about right to me :)

[67since67]

Credit Terry Davis...

[carnut4life]

Got the head lamp extension moldings on the car earlier this summer and keep forgetting to get some decent pics so sorry for the crappy picture but I doubt I'll get it out again this year. Hard to notice if your not looking for them but I feel better having them on the car since it was built in 1/23/70. Got a dated carb, water pump and starter to put on it when I replace the engine harness and valve covers this winter. Since I plan to keep the car and put quite a few miles on it I'm putting power steering on it this winter as well so I can enjoy the car in my golden years. Of course I'll keep all the parts so it can be returned to stock if desired.

[frankk]

Brings back memories. Had one like it except L-78 and red interior. Best part was I could kick my brother and his GTO's ass

[ryanchevelle]

Great looking chevelle Chad.

[carnut4life]

Got the dated carburetor, water pump, starter and power steering box on the Chevelle this winter and took it out for the first time today. Had a couple leaking hoses and had to bleed the air out of steering box again but other than that it was pretty uneventful. Drives so much better with power steering, can't even tell its the same car.

[scuncio]

Beautiful! I know what you mean - manual steering on an A body is rough. The quick ratio F body manual steering is much easier to deal with.

[carnut4life]

Replaced the valve covers and a couple wires on the engine harness while I had it apart and coated the exhaust manifolds with Calyx since I ended up taking them off when I painted the engine. Eric Jackson rebuilt the carburetor last fall and boy what a difference that made, the throttle response is incredible. Hoping to put some serious miles on it now but it will be easier said than done once it warms up and the Iowa humidity kicks in.

[carnut4life]

Beautiful! I know what you mean - manual steering on an A body is rough. The quick ratio F body manual steering is much easier to deal with.

You got that right Tony. It's more like driving my Grand Prix now, but with a 4 speed and a little more power!

[67since67]

Hoping to put some serious miles on it now but it will be easier said than done once it warms up and the Iowa humidity kicks in.

Evenings Chad, evenings. That last hour before sunset is golden! Even better for convertibles.
Also those days right after a cool front comes through. - Bill W

[RPOLS3]

Looks great - I too am a fan of the saddle interior.

[carnut4life]

I was trying to reproduce the sales brochure photo I have on the wall in the garage because I don't have the seeds to reproduce the one with the shipping ropes tying it down that Rick posted several years ago.

[carnut4life]

I've been threated with death if I ever try to recreate this one but it's my favorite!

[tom406]

Abercrombie and Fitch actually made a cool T shirt last year with that advertisement. My kid was shopping and I saw it on the sale rack and snapped it up.

[RPOLS3]

Looks like the T shirt is still available

https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/corvette-graphic-tee-52907821?seq=03&source=googleshopping&cmp=PLA:EVG:20:A:D:USCA:X:GGL:X:SHOP:X:X:X:X:x:A%2 6F+Adults_Google_Shopping_PLA_US_Tops_All+products _PRODUCT_GROUP&gclid=CjwKCAjwitShBhA6EiwAq3RqAxpLOb2S6jEwUDd-1PJZ7cguT3TIEEcg9enPFh5_G7FnXQkN0NWh6RoCIIAQAvD_Bw E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[dustinm]

Looks like the T shirt is still available

https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/corvette-graphic-tee-52907821?seq=03&source=googleshopping&cmp=PLA:EVG:20:A:D:USCA:X:GGL:X:SHOP:X:X:X:X:x:A%2 6F+Adults_Google_Shopping_PLA_US_Tops_All+products _PRODUCT_GROUP&gclid=CjwKCAjwitShBhA6EiwAq3RqAxpLOb2S6jEwUDd-1PJZ7cguT3TIEEcg9enPFh5_G7FnXQkN0NWh6RoCIIAQAvD_Bw E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks!! Got one ordered

[NorCam]

Got the dated carburetor, water pump, starter and power steering box on the Chevelle this winter and took it out for the first time today. Had a couple leaking hoses and had to bleed the air out of steering box again but other than that it was pretty uneventful. Drives so much better with power steering, can't even tell its the same car.

Such a great car Chad.

Never tire of seeing this one. Beauty!!!

[carnut4life]

Weather was perfect here in Iowa today so my son and I took the Chevelle for a 40 mile road trip this afternoon, it's like a completely different car with power steering and an absolute dream to drive, I could drive it across the country now! Let him drive it home the last 10 miles and he was elated since he thinks it the coolest car ever.

Since the bench seat was killing my back on the long drives I put bucket seats in it this spring and it was pain free today so I'm glad I changed it out, plus I love the look of bucket seats with no console. As of today it has 81,490 miles and I'm hoping to roll the odometer
over to zero while I still have it. The key chain is an exact copy of the one my Mom bought me for my 16th birthday back in 1988.

[Too Many Projects]

Very nice with the buckets. I prefer them in an SS too. They just seem to complete the package.
One last update...need to get a bucket seat shifter stick. :flag:

[NorCam]

That looks a lot more comfortable Chad, and I love Saddle Interiors. While I can appreciate a factory bench seat, my back disagrees with them and heavily favors a nice set of buckets.

Bravo on the swap, and Kudos to you for letting your son drive it some. I actually plan to take my son out today for his first run through the 4-speed in the 68 Camaro.

Love the car!!!

[carnut4life]

Very nice with the buckets. I prefer them in an SS too. They just seem to complete the package.
One last update...need to get a bucket seat shifter stick. :flag:

That's the right shifter for no console Mitch, there were 3 different ones in 70 and this one has about half the bend of a bench seat shifter handle. I've had all three in the car at different points and this is the most comfortable to me too so it's a win-win.

[carnut4life]

That looks a lot more comfortable Chad, and I love Saddle Interiors. While I can appreciate a factory bench seat, my back disagrees with them and heavily favors a nice set of buckets.

Bravo on the swap, and Kudos to you for letting your son drive it some. I actually plan to take my son out today for his first run through the 4-speed in the 68 Camaro.

Love the car!!!

Thanks Graeme. I love the looks of a bench seat 4 speed too but I'm planning to put some serious miles on this car over the years so comfort is more important to me than originality so I don't feel guilty about adding power steering and bucket seat to it. Saddle was my least favorite interior choice for a red 70 when I was looking for one but now that I've had it I really love it, everything inside the car just pops and its much cooler on warm sunny days.

Nash was pretty nervous about driving it through town on the way home because he was afraid he'd kill it at a stop light but he made it home with ease so I'm sure he'll offer to chauffer me around in it more now. I'll probably let him too since it's one of the few things that gets him to ignore his phone more than 5 minutes at a time and actually talk to me. Hope you and your son have fun in the 68 today!

[Too Many Projects]

That's the right shifter for no console Mitch, there were 3 different ones in 70 and this one has about half the bend of a bench seat shifter handle. I've had all three in the car at different points and this is the most comfortable to me too so it's a win-win.
Thanks, I wasn't aware the non-console stick was different. Mine would have had that one then too, as it is a bucket, non-console built car. I'll still put the Hurst conversion shifter in that I've had for years... someday.

[carnut4life]

Thanks, I wasn't aware the non-console stick was different. Mine would have had that one then too, as it is a bucket, non-console built car. I'll still put the Hurst conversion shifter in that I've had for years... someday.

Mine has a Hurst shifter in it too, I bought a cheap no console handle off ebay and cut it off at the bend for the Muncie shifter and drilled a couple holes in it and it fits perfect. Can't really tell in the pics but the chrome is worn out so I'll get it re-chromed this winter since it will be in the car as long as I own it.

[dykstra]

Glad to see you and your son are enjoying driving it.:biggthumpup: