1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet

1970 Chevelle Facts, Figures, and Specifications

1966 Chevelle Facts Specifications Information Data

Check out this companion article by Martyn Schorr: “1970 CHEVELLE SS454: BIG-BLOCK BRUISER – Car Guy Chronicles“

1970 – Bigger Engines
and New Styling

While using the same basic body, the car was dramatically restyled, abandoning most of the styling clues from the 1964-69 models. Bigger engines were available – all the way up to 454 CID and 450 HP! The more highly sculptured 1970 Chevelle featured a bold-looking frontal treatment with split grille and dual, blending headlights. The rear fascia was also different.

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1970 Chevelle Resources

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1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Poster

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1970 Chevelle Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

	10 Classic White
	14 Cortez Silver
	17 Shadow Gray
	25 Astro Blue
	26 Mulsanne Blue
	28 Fathom Blue
	34 Misty Turquoise
	43 Citrus Green
	45 Green Mist
	48 Forest Green
	50 Gobi Beige
	53 Camaro Gold
	55 Champagne Gold
	58 Autumn Gold
	63 Desert Sand
	67 Classic Copper
	72 Hugger Orange
	75 Cranberry Red
	78 Black Cherry

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1970 Chevelle Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Facts

Not only did the front fascia change from previous years, but a new, front bumper had no slots and incorporated rectangular parking lamps directly below the headlamps. The swept-back front fender look was gone, replaced by a blunter image. An upper feature line ran from above the headlight level to the top of the back bumper, with a prominent dip at mid-waist height. Rear side markers with a slotted and segmented look were seen. The Chevelle 300 Deluxe name was dropped.

The Chevelle name was used for the base model, and the Malibu was the next level. Station wagons were the entry-level Nomad, the Chevelle-level Greenbrier, the Malibu-level Concours, and an upscale Concours Estate. Surprisingly, the base Chevelle wasn’t available at the beginning of the model year but was added at a mid-season date.

All mid-size Chevelles came with GM safety features, in-the-windshield hidden antenna, Hide-Away wipers; side beam doors; heater/ defroster; all-vinyl trim and cigarette lighter. Wagons had Dual-Action tailgates.

Only three models, Malibu sport coupe, Malibu convertible, and El Camino pickup were available with a choice of one of two SS options; RPO Z25 with the SS 396, now with the 402 CID V-8 and RPO Z16 with the new 454 CID LS5 and LS6 engine.

1970 Chevelle Factoids

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GM bowed to the competitions’ pressure and allowed their mid-sized cars to utilize up to 455 CID V-8s. Chevrolet, up-sized their 396 375 HP L78 to 454 CID , called it the “LS6” and allowed it to advertise 450 HP. The also released a tamer version, based upon the 350 396 called “LS5”. Few LS 6 models were sold, due mostly to availability, but they were out of this world fast. See the 1970 454 LS5 360 HP V-8 AMA Spec Sheets HERE. The specifications on the LS6 450 HP 454 can be found HERE.

Chevrolet had an outside air induction setup prior to 1970, but it was not efficient. The 1970 Cowl Induction Hood solved that. Placed at a well known high pressure area just before the windshield, it acted much like the units seen in NASCAR stockers. A vacuum sensor popped open a flap on the hood when wide open throttle was applied, and viola; a good size doorway was made for cooler air to the carburetor.

It’s unclear why Chevrolet moved the 396 CID V-8 up to 402 Cid by increasing the bore to 4.126″. Some say it was to improve emissions, others say it was in anticipation of the 454 CID V-8 allowing no change to the tooling for both motors as they had a bore within 1 thousands of an inch of each other. Ultimately it did not impact the performance much, if at all. It was such a minuscule change that Chevrolet continued to call the new 402-engined SS models “SS 396”.

1970 Chevelle Facts – Models Offered

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Standard equipment on Chevelle models included all GM safety features; head restraints (as a mandatory option); heater and defroster; front arm rests; dual headlights; E78 x 14 four-ply rated blackwall tires for I-6 cars; F78 x 14 four-ply rated blackwall tires for V-8 cars, and either a 150 HP I-6 or 200 horsepower V-8 as base powerplants.

The base El Camino was considered part of this model line, however we note it separately. For a description of Chevelle models, please see the Chevelle Brochure HERE.

The Malibu model included all equipment found on the base line, plus Hide Away two-speed wipers; Deluxe steering wheel; glove box light; window moldings; and carpets. The Malibu four-door hard top (Sports sedan) with the RPO 216 Concours package or the Malibu two-door hardtop (Sports coupe) had additional brightwork. A convertible was also available in Malibu trim and had all of the above standard equipment, plus courtesy lights. For a description of Malibu models, please see the Chevelle Brochure HERE.

Station wagons had reverted to the practice of the early 60s in the full size line with Nomad, Greenbrier, and Concours models. The Nomad, however, was the base model, trimmed as a Chevelle – it was only available as a 2-seat version, the Greenbrier was trimmed as a base Malibu and the Concours, was offered as a standard and an “Estate”, with the Estate featuring faux wood side trim. For a description of Station Wagon models, please see the Chevelle Brochure HERE.

The El Camino model came in Base and Custom trim. The Base model was trimmed as a Chevelle DeLuxe and the Custom was trimmed as a Malibu. Colors were as set for the regular line.

1970 Chevelle Facts – Engines

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250 CID Six-cylinder. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.530 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 155 @ 4200 RPM.
Torque: 235 @1600 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust: 244°. Valve Lift: Intake 0.3880″, Exhaust 0.3880″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel: Standard Manual Transmission 7040017; Automatic Transmission 7040014.

307 CID V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 307 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.00:1.
Horsepower: 200 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 300 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake 280°, Exhaust 288°, Overlap 58°. Valve Lift: (intake) 0.3900″; (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GV two barrel: manual transmission 7040101; with air conditioning 7040103. Automatic Transmission 7040110; with air conditioning 7040112.

250 HP 350 CID V-8. (RPO L65) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 250@ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 345 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 280°, Exhaust: 288°, Overlap 58°. Lift: (intake) 0.3900″, (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – manual transmission 7040203; automatic transmission 7040202.

300 HP 350 CID V-8. (RPO L48) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 280°, Exhaust: 288°, Overlap 58°. Lift: (intake) 0.3900″, (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – manual transmission 7029213; automatic transmission 7029202.

Turbo-Fire 402 CID V-8 (RPO LS3). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 402 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.126 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 330 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 410 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 286° Exhaust: 286°, Overlap 59°. Lift: Intake 0.3983″, Exhaust 0.3983″.
Carburetor: Rochester 4-barrel Quadra-jet – manual transmission: 7029215; automatic transmission: 7029204.

Turbo-Fire 402 V-8 (RPO L34). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 402 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.126 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 350 @ 5200 RPM.
Torque: 415 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 300°, Exhaust: 300°, Overlap 72°. Lift: Intake 0.4614″, Exhaust 0.4800″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – manual transmission 7040205; automatic transmission: Rochester #7040204.

Turbo-Fire 402 V-8 (RPO Z25/L78). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 402 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.126 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 375 @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 415 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust: 302°, Overlap 80°. Lift: Intake 0.5197″, Exhaust 0.5197″.
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel – manual transmission 3967479; automatic transmission 3969894.

Turbo-Fire 454 V-8 (RPO LS5). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 454 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 4.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 360@ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 500 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Duration: (with ramps) Intake: 350°, Exhaust: 352°, Overlap 118°. Lift: Intake 0.4614″, Exhaust 0.4800″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – manual transmission; 7040201 automatic transmission 7040200.

Turbo-Fire 454 V-8 (RPO LS6). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 454 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.126 x4.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.25:1.
Horsepower: 450 @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 500 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust: 302°, Overlap 80°. Lift: Intake 0.5197″, Exhaust 0.5197″.
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel – manual transmission 3967479, automatic transmission 3969894.

1970 Chevelle Facts – Chassis Features

- Wheelbase: 2-Door and Convertible 112 inches, All others 116 inches.
- Overall length: 2-Door and Convertible 197.2 inches, 4-Doors 201.2 inches, Station Wagon: 206.5 inches.
- Overall width: 75.4 inches.
- Overall height: 4-Doors: 53.25 inches; 2-Doors: 53.2 inches; Convertible 52.9 inches; Station Wagon 55.1 inches; El Camino 54.4 inches.
- Front tread: 60.0 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.8 inches.
- Tires:
  - I-6: E78 x 14.
  - 307-350 V-8: F78 x 14.
  - SS Models: F70 x 14 G70 x 14 Optional
  - El Camino G78 x 14 SS Models G70 X 14.
  - Station Wagons: G78 x 14.
  - F70 x 14 and G70 x 14 optional on request for all V-8 equipped cars.

1970 Chevelle Facts – Powertrains

Powerglide Transmission Ratios
- I-6 & 307 CID V-8: 1st – 1.82:1, 2nd – 1:1, Reverse – 1.82:1.
- 350 CID V-8: 1st – 1.76:1, 2nd – 1:1, Reverse – 1.76:1.
Turbo Hydramatic Transmission Ratios
- I-6, 307 & 350 CID V-8 T-350: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.52:1, 3rd 1.00:1 Reverse – 1.93:1.
- 402 and 454 CID V-8 T-400: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd 1.00:1 Reverse – 2.08:1.
Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 and 307 CID V-8: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.95:1.
- 350-402 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.50:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.63:1.
Three Speed Manual (Heavy Duty) Transmission Ratios
- 350 – 402 CID V-8: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.58:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1.
Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 307 CID V-8: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 2.02:1, 3rd – 1.35:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.85:1.
- 350 CID V-8 250 HP: 1st – 2.50:1, 2nd – 1.84:1, 3rd – 1.44:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.54:1.
- 350 CID 300 HP V-8 402 CID V-8 and 454 CID V-8: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1.
- 402 CID V-8 & 454 CID V-8: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.27:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.26:1.
Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- I-6 250 CID:
  - 3-Speed SMT and HD: 3.08:1, Air Conditioning Not Available.
  - Powerglide – 3.36:1 Optional – None.
  - T-350 AMT – 3.08:1 Optional – None.
- 307 CID V-8 200 HP:
  - 3-Speed SMT and HD: 3.08:1.
  - Powerglide – 3.08:1.
  - 4-Speed SMT – 3.36:1.
  - T-350 AMT – 3.08:1.
- 350 CID V-8 250 HP:
  - 3-Speed SMT – 3.08:1.
  - 4-Speed SMT – 3.36:1.
  - Powerglide – 2.73:1, Station Wagons and El Camino 2.73:1.
  - T-350 – 2.56:1, Station Wagons and El Camino 2.73:1.
- 350 CID V-8 300 HP:
  - 4-Speed SMT – 3.31:1.
  - Powerglide & T-350 – 2.73:1, Station Wagons and El Camino 2.73:1.
- 402 CID V-8 330 and 350 HP
  - 4-speed & T-400: 3.31:1.
- 402 CID V-8 375 HP
  - Automatic Transmission: 3.55:1. Optional 4.10:1.
  - 4-speed Close Ratio: 3.55:1. Optional 4.10:1, Dealer Installed: 4.56:1, 4.88:1.
- 454 CID 450 HP
  - - Automatic Transmission: 3.31:1. Optional 4.10:1.
    - 4-speed Close Ratio: 3.55:1. Optional 4.10:1, Dealer Installed: 4.56:1, 4.88:1.

NOTE: Optional, dealer installed gear ratios ranged from 2.73:1 to 4.88:1 Depending on axle size. Posi-traction optional for all vehicles where axle or ratio allowed. For more detail on axle ratios see the 1970 AMA Specifications Sheets

1970 Chevelle Facts – Powertrain Options

- 3-speed manual transmission ($79).4-speed close-ratio heavy duty manual transmission, in Chevelle ($221.80).
- 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission, in Malibu/Nova ($184.80); Chevelle ($184.80), include Hurst shifter ($195.40).
- 4-speed wide-ratio manual transmission, in Chevelle ($184.80); in Malibu ($184.80), include Hurst shifter ($195.40).
- Alternator, 63 ampere, without air conditioning ($21); with air conditioning ($4).
- Dual exhausts ($24.17).
- Engine block heater ($10.55).
- Heavy-duty battery ($15.80).
- Heavy-duty radiator ($22).
- Positraction axle ($42.15).
- Powerglide transmission in V-8 ($174.25).
- Powerglide transmission, in I-6 ($163.70).
- RPO 2l2 Chevelle cowl-induction hood, SS 396 option required ($147.45).
- RPO L34 350 HP 402 CIDV-8 ($152.75).
- RPO L48 300 HP 350 CID V-8 ($68.50).
- RPO L65 250 HP 350 CID V-8: in base Chevelle ($21.10); in Malibu ($16.70).
- RPO L78 375 HP 402 CID V-8 ($385.50).
- RPO LS3 330 HP 402 CID V-8, in Malibu and Chevelle wagons ($128.32).
- RPO LS5 360 HP 454 CID V-8, in Chevelle with SS 454 Option package ($163.40).
- RPO LS6 450 HP 454 CID V-8, in Chevelle with SS 454 Option package ($263.30).
- Turbo-Hydramatic transmission in 200/250/300 horsepower V-8, ($200.65).
- Turbo-Hydramatic transmission in all with 330/350 horsepower V-8 ($221.80).
- Turbo-Hydramatic transmission in Chevelle with 450 horsepower V-8 ($290.40).
- Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, in Chevelle with 330/350/360 horsepower V-8s ($221.80).

NOTE: Base I-6 and base 307 CID V-8 price included in base model pricing.

1970 Chevelle Facts – Chevelle Key RPO Options

- RPO 215 Chevelle SS 454 LS5 Package. Includes bright engine accents, dual exhausts with bri ht tips, black-painted grille, wheel opening moldings, power front disc brakes, special rear suspension and rear bumper with black insert, special “power bulge” hood, “SS” emblems, LS5 360 HP 454 CID Turbo-Jet V-8, heavy-duty battery, F70-14 white letter tires, 14 x 7 wheels (sport type}, deletion of body sill molding and deletion of belt line molding, on Malibu V-8 Sport coupe or convertible, with either M40 Turbo-Hydramatic or any four-speed manual transmission. ($503.45).
- RPO 215 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Package. Includes bright engine accents, dual exhausts with bri ht tips, black-painted grille, wheel opening moldings, power front disc brakes, special rear suspension and rear bumper with black insert, special “power bulge” hood, “SS” emblems, LS6 450 HP 454 CID Turbo-Jet V-8, heavy-duty battery, F70-14 white letter tires, 14 x 7 wheels (sport type}, deletion of body sill molding and deletion of belt line molding, on Malibu V-8 Sport coupe or convertible, with either M40 Turbo-Hydramatic or any four-speed manual transmission. ($703.45).
- RPO 225 Chevelle SS 396 Package. Includes 350 HP 402 CID Turbo-Jet V-8, power front disc brakes, dual exhausts with bright tips, black-painted grille, wheel opening moldings, special rear bumper with black inserts, “power dome” hood, special suspension, 14 x 7 inch Sport style wheels, G70-14 white lettered tires and “55” emblems. Four-speed or Turbo-Hydramatic required ($445.55).
- RPO 225 Chevelle SS 396 package with L78 375 HP 402 CID V-8 and cast iron heads. Includes power front disc brakes, dual exhausts with bright tips, black-painted grille, wheel opening moldings, special rear bumper with black inserts, “power dome” hood, special suspension, 14 x 7 inch Sport style wheels, G70-14 white lettered tires and “55” emblems ($210.65).
- RPO 225 Chevelle SS 396 package with with L78/L89 375 HP 402 CID V-8, with aluminum heads. Includes power front disc brakes, dual exhausts with bright tips, black-painted grille, wheel opening moldings, special rear bumper with black inserts, “power dome” hood, special suspension, 14 x 7 inch Sport style wheels, G70-14 white lettered tires and “55” emblems ($394.95).

1970 Chevelle Facts – Significant Options

- Adjustable roof rack ($52.70).
- Air conditioning ($463.45).
- Carpeted Wagon load floor ($52.70).
- Console in Malibu with bucket seats ($53.75).
- Electric rear defroster ($41.70).
- Four Season air conditioning ($363.40-$384.15).
- Headlight delay system ($18.36).
- Power door locks, two-door ($35.45); four-door ($54.12).
- Power drum brakes ($41.15-$43.05).
- Power front disc brakes ($64.25-$65.65).
- Power front seat, six-way ($100.10).
- Power steering ($89.55-$105.35).
- Power Strato-Bucket seat ($121.15).
- Radio AM push button ($61.10).
- Radio AM/FM push button ($133.80).
- Radio AM/FM with FM stereo ($239.10).
- Rally styled wheels, ($79).
- Special instrumentation: includes tachometer, ammeter and temperature gauges, on Malibu coupe/convertible ($84.30).
- Standard rear defroster ($20.85-$29.20).
- Stereo tape player, with AM radio ($194.85); with AM/FM radio and FM stereo ($372.85).
- Tilt steering wheel ($46).
- Tinted glass ($24.83-$30).
- Vigilante light monitoring system, except Nova ($26.35).
- Vinyl top Black, Blue, Dark Gold, Green or White ($94.80).
- Wagon Air defector ($19).
- Wheel covers ($21).
- Wheel covers, special ($57.95-$80.70).
- Windshield wiper control, Fingertip ($19).