For many, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle is the gold standard for the American muscle car. This was namely due to the revised sheet metal, but also in large part to the monstrous available LS6 V-8 engine.

Trims for the ‘70 Chevelle included the 300 Deluxe and Malibu. Body styles, meanwhile, included sport coupe, four-door sedan and convertible. A pickup version called the El Camino was also offered.

The base engine in the ’70 Chevelle was a straight-six unit making 155 horsepower. The next engine up was a 307 cid V8 making 200 hp. Buyers could also get the SS 396, which wasn’t actually 396. It was actually a 402 cu in engine, putting out either 350 or 375 hp.

The biggest engine this year was of course the 454 big-block. The Chevelle SS 454 put out 360 hp when buyers chose the LS5, but the top dog LS6 made a whopping 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque.

The notable hood pins, racing stripes and functional cowl induction hood system were all part of the ZL2 hood option, and did not come standard on either version of the SS.