A red 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS with black stripes from the front three-quarter.

Front three-quarter. Cowl induction hood, and the SS badging in the grille is correct.

The rear three-quarter of a red Chevelle SS showing the tail lights and stripes.

1970

Chevrolet Chevelle SS

1970 was the last honest year for this, and the SS 396 is the one everybody actually means when they say muscle car.

What it costs

$395 per day · 120 miles included · fuel included

Collect

Return

Mileage

120 miles a dayIncluded in the rate— Add 150 miles a dayFor a long route or a two-state day$45/day

Damage cover

Standard$3,500 deposit held, released in 5 days— Reduced excessDeposit drops to $500$65/day

Collection

From the garage2461 Bellevue St, Detroit— DeliveredAnywhere inside Wayne County$120

Total for 2 days —

Refundable deposit of — held separately on the same card. Fuel is included — the car leaves full and comes back full at our expense, because we would rather fill it ourselves than argue about it.

Every figure we hold on this car.

Engine396 cu in big-block V8Original block, rebuilt in-house.

Output350 hpGross, as rated when new. Modern net figures would read lower.

Torque415 lb-ftWhich is what you actually feel.

TransmissionMuncie 4-speed manual

BrakesFront discs, rear drumsRead the braking note before you drive it.

BodyTwo-door hardtop coupe

Seats4Lap belts only. No child seat anchor points.

Curb weight3,770 lb

0–60 mph6.0 secPeriod road-test figure, not ours.

FinishCranberry Red over black

Daily rate$395120 miles a day included. Fuel included.

Deposit$3,500Refundable, released within five working days.

By 1971 compression ratios had dropped and the numbers on the fender stopped meaning what they had meant. A 1970 SS is the end of the line, and it drives like it: enormous low-down torque, a gearbox with real weight to it, and an engine note at idle you can feel through the floor.

The stripes are correct and the cowl induction hood works — the flap at the back of the hood opens under load, which you will hear before you feel. It is the loudest car in the building by a wide margin and we are honest about that: it is not a quiet drive.

What it's like to drive

Heavy, deliberate and enormously fast in a straight line. It wants third gear everywhere. The clutch is the firmest here, and in stop-start traffic your left leg will know about it.

The one thing that will surprise you

120 miles a day included rather than 150 — it drinks, and at a big-block's rate we would rather price it honestly than surprise you at the pump.

Take it somewhere worth going.

We keep five routes written up, with the distances, the surfaces and where to stop. The Woodward run is the obvious one. The lake road is the better one.

See the routes Back to the fleet