10 Unknown Shocking Secrets About the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 You’ve NEVER Heard Of!

The 1970 Chevelle SS 454, particularly with the LS6 engine, was an underrated powerhouse producing near 500hp rather than the advertised 450hp, with only 4,475 units produced. Secretive federal orders, hidden identity, and high-performance, track-ready features made it a dominant, and sometimes illegal-feeling, street machine. 

Here are 10 shocking secrets and facts about the 1970 Chevelle SS 454:

1. Underrated Power: The 450hp LS6 engine was severely underrated; builders agree real-world output was closer to 500hp or more.
2. Federal Secret Order: The U.S. government ordered 37 unique Chevelle SS454s with special modifications, including engine enhancements and under-dash switches to kill all lights.
3. Hidden Identity (“Sleeper” 350s): Some owners deliberately replaced 454 emblems with “350” badges to make them look like lower-trim models to avoid theft or police attention.
4. “Illegal” Performance: Stock LS6 models could run 13.1-second quarter-miles at over 107 mph on street tires.
5. Extremely Limited LS6 Production: Out of all Chevelles made, only 4,475 left the factory with the high-performance 450-horsepower 454-cubic-inch V8.
6. Secretive VIN Decoding: Some government-ordered units had unique VINs that do not decode properly through standard channels.
7. “Tractor-Pull” Torque: The engine delivered immense torque (500 lb-ft) from as low as 2,000 RPM, giving it nearly instant acceleration.
8. Functional Cowl Induction: The iconic hood pin package was not just for looks; it provided cold air directly to the carburetor, increasing efficiency.
9. Last Year of Four Headlights: 1970 was the final year for the iconic four-headlight look on the front end of the Chevelle before shifting to a different, more subdued design.
10. Hidden Build Sheets: Due to high rates of cloning, the only way to verify a true SS is finding original documentation, often hidden under the rear seat or gas tank. 

This video explains how to tell if a 1970 Chevelle is a true SS: