1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Looks Like the $500K Holy-Grail, but There’s Something Interesting

The golden muscle car era produced a long list of powerful machines, some with over 400 horsepower on tap. Chrysler had plenty of 400+ horsepower hits in showrooms thanks to the 426-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8, rated at 425 horsepower. The L72 in the Chevy Camaro also delivered 425 horsepower, while the all-aluminum ZL-1 it produced 430 horsepower. But none of these mills were as powerful as the 454-inch (7.4-liter) LS6.

Introduced in 1970, it found its way into the Chevrolet Chevelle SS in two flavors. The LS5 produced 360 horsepower, a mark that put it below the 375-horsepower 402-inch (6.6-liter) V8 in the SS 396. But the higher-compression LS6, topped by a four-barrel 800 CFM Holley carburetor, offered 450 horses big. Torque was equally impressive at 500 lb-ft (678 Nm).

These figures made the Chevelle SS 454 LS6 the most powerful factory car of the era, a mark that would stand for decades through the Malaise Era that followed. The LS6 was also a one-year gem, as Chevy discontinued the mill for the 1971 model year. And because it was quite expensive, it was ordered in limited numbers, making it a rare machine these days.

Chevrolet sold 4,475 LS6-equipped cars in 1970, just 1% of total production that year. This figure also includes pictures of El Camino. Chevrolet did not keep detailed records, but Chevelle experts agree that less than 4,000 hardtops and convertibles left the assembly line with this engine. Top drops are very rare.

Again, there is no official production number to discuss, but most authorities put the figure at around 20 to 25 examples, with fewer than known still in existence. Not surprisingly, the SS 454 LS6 Convertible is a very expensive modern.

Restored and original models have been changing hands for over $400,000 in recent years, with three units even breaking the half-million mark. The most expensive unit crossed the auction block for $572,000 in January 2022. A year later, another price drop sold for $550,000. The Misty Turquoise drop top you see here certainly looks like one of those half million dollar Chevelles, but there’s a catch.

A stunning restoration with only 170 miles (274 km) on the road since it rolled off the rotisserie, this two-door hides a 454-cubic-inch LS6 under the hood. It also rocks all the correct LS6 features, including the badge and 6,500-rpm redline tach. But this Chevelle wasn’t born this way. But while the powertrain is period correct, this Chevelle was not born as a 454 LS6.

I’d say that’s a shame because whoever restored this device did a great job. And the color combo itself is quite rare. Misty Turquoise is a color we rarely see on 1970 Chevelles, and I’m pretty sure an LS6 Convertible with this color combination (with a white interior) would be a real gem.

But I’m not disappointed at all that this top-down is just an LS6 copycat. It’s a beautiful design and a beautiful tribute to the most powerful factory car of the muscle car era. And for $129,998, is more affordable than the fully capable LS6 convertible. Watch it in the video below.