1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Dale McIntosh
were outselling Chrysler about four to one, even though the Dodge and Plymouth divisions had powerful muscle cars of their own in the B-Body Belvedere, GTX, Coronet, etc., with the 383/426/440 wedge and the 426 Hemi. To help capture more of the youth market, Plymouth devised a low-budget muscle car based on the Belvedere model with some trick graphics and marketing that resulted in the Road Runner. The only real competition to the marketing end for General Motors was the GTO Judge, an attempt to cash in on the comedy routine “Here Come de Judge” from the Rowan & Martin Laugh-In TV show. The Judge was to be a low-cost GTO but actually was more expensive than a standard GTO, including the Ram Air III engine, spoiler, T-shaped Hurst 4-speed and vivid graphics.
This 1970 SS454 Malibu sport coupe is in Forest Green with optional RPO D88 Hood & Deck Stripes and the standard SS396/SS454 domed hood. (Photo Courtesy Les Seville)
Early model year 1970 Chevelles have what is often referred to as an “eyebrow” trim piece just below the headlamps. Why or when this trim piece was discontinued is not known. This trim (PN 3958395 and 3958396) is shown as being removed as of February 7, 1970. Various plants discontinued the installation as their inventory ran out. Several have been seen on Atlanta-built Chevelles as late as mid-March 1970. Sadly, it was not often replaced when front-end damage was repaired or if the car was repainted. This trim piece was not unique to SS Chevelles and sedan pickups (El Camino) but was standard across all model lines and body styles.
The largest production number year for Chevelles in sheer volume was 1970. Of the 4.35 million Chevelles built from 1964 through 1972, 1970 was the most prolific year with a total of 635,558 units built.
The 1970 model year saw two SS Equipment options: RPO Z25 used the 396 (402) engine and RPO Z15 used the 454 engine. The 1971 and 1972 model years offered only the RPO Z15 SS Equipment option, but it was no longer a performance-oriented option because any optional V-8 engine and any optional transmission could be ordered.
The 1970 model year saw a smoothing out of the 1968–1969 Chevelle lines. The front and rear sheet metal featured more rounded lines. The taillamps were moved from the quarter panel to the bumper. The sport coupe, convertible, and pickup retained the same wheelbase as the 1968-1969 model year. The 1970 model year was the last for Chevelle dual headlamps.
The dash was completely redesigned with both SS Equipment Chevelles receiving their own, unique, round, three-pod instrument panel housing with the fuel gauge on the left, the speedometer in the center, and a blank pod on the right. A non-SS Equipment Chevelle received a linear, or “sweep,” speedometer dash assembly. All SS Equipment instrument panels and steering columns were black, regardless of exterior paint or interior trim color.
The two SS Equipment options were not an “upgrade” on the Malibu. The SS Equipment packages were an option just like a radio or air conditioning. The SS Equipment packages included several options that were available separately, such as power disc brakes and F41 special suspension. Also, equipment unique to the SS Equipment options was not available separately, such as 454-ci engines, domed hood, and special SS wheels. An SS Equipment Malibu sport coupe and convertible received clear front parking lamp lenses with amber bulbs over amber lenses and clear bulbs while the sedan pickup retained its amber lenses and clear bulbs. Neither SS Equipment option changed the parking lamps on the sedan pickup.
El Caminos were only built at three assembly plants in 1970: Baltimore, Kansas City, and Van Nuys. This 1970 SS396 El Camino is in Tuxedo Black without the optional RPO D88 Hood & Deck Stripes. (Photo Courtesy Dane Belden)
Because this book discusses primarily 1970 Chevelle Malibus with one of two SS Equipment options (RPO Z25 with the 396/402-ci engine or RPO Z15 with the 454-ci engine), only specific data on the sport coupe, convertible, and sedan pickup body styles is listed. Exterior paint colors, interiors, rear-end gear ratios, some transmissions, and many options were available to non-SS Chevelles as well.
Both RPO Z25 SS396 and RPO Z15 SS454 were available with the Malibu series sport coupe, convertible, and pickup (Custom El Camino).
You can see the open “flapper” of RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air system with “COWL INDUCTION” script. The flapper was vacuum-controlled and opened only under very low engine vacuum so it was closed when the engine was not running and open completely at wide-open throttle. (Ron Wawrinty Photo)
Chevelles of Generation One are from 1964 and 1965, due to their similarity in styling. Those of 1966 and 1967 were more forward looking and have a specific sport coupe roof line; they are considered Generation Two.
In 1968 and 1969 the Chevelle took on another new look with tapered front fenders, rounded beltline, and a long-hood/short-deck profile. All Malibu and Concours station wagon series in 1968 featured hide-away windshield wipers, but the Nomad, 300, and 300 Deluxe series did not. The rear of the hood had a small lip to help conceal the wiper arms/blades. The lower windshield trim was wider on the Malibu and Concours series so the wiper arms could “park” below eye level. The 1968 and 1969 vehicles make up Generation Three.
Because of its unique styling change from previous years, the 1970 model year is considered the beginning of Generation Four. These vehicles saw an updated design with more rounded corners and muscular stance. This was the last year Chevelles were equipped with separate low- and high-beam headlamps, a staple since 1964. The 1970 model year also separated the headlamps from the grille and the grille extensions outside the headlamps were gone.
Beginning in 1971 all Chevelles used a single headlamp for both low- and high-beam operation.
It was typical that prototypes and clay mockup mules were worked on about two years before the planned introduction of any new model year. The 1970 Chevelle was no different. Numerous designs were pored over. Although the overall profile was pretty much settled, styling tweaks were looked at. One early design feature has the Chevelle with a front end reminiscent of the new to-be-released Monte Carlo.
Headlights
Single, round headlamps on each fender along with round parking lamps were designed along with the now-familiar dual headlamps and rectangular parking lamps. Variations including single headlamps with rectangular parking lamps, and dual headlamps with round parking lamps were also mocked up.
In this early clay mockup of the 1970 Chevelle, dated January 15, 1968, GM styling used a single headlamp and round parking lamp design that was eventually used on the new-for-1970 Monte Carlo. (Photo Courtesy General Motors Media Archive)