In 1970, Chevrolet gifted the Chevelle SS 454 upon the world, and it has since become one of the most revered muscle cars ever made. Unfortunately, the muscle car market has shrunk significantly since then.
EVs and SUVs are taking over, and now, even the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger are gone, so it seems the TWA Chevelle 70/SS was a bit late to the party. That’s okay, though, because this beauty really knows how to make an entrance. The Chevelle 70/SS’ styling is a retrotastic nod to the original, but with more power and aggression, as well as all the features we’ve come to expect in a modern car.
We’ve gathered all the info we could find about the new Chevelle 70/SS, and trust us when we say there’s a lot to be excited about.
The Chevelle 70/SS Is Built By TransAm Worldwide
As you may have already guessed, the Chevelle 70/SS isn’t actually built by Chevrolet. The company behind it is TransAm Worldwide, which is known for creating some excellent modern reincarnations of classic muscle cars.
TransAm Worldwide, or TAW, has previously built a handful of limited-edition cars, including the Bandit Edition Trans Am — a tribute to Burt Reynolds and Smokey & the Bandit, complete with the screaming chicken on the hood. Their builds are based on the Chevy Camaro SS, which is also the case with the 70/SS.
Based On The Camaro
TAW did well when they decided to build tribute cars on the Camaro, giving their creations a proper retro look, but with modern driveability. In 2016, the Camaro adopted the GM Alpha platform, making it a much more well-rounded sports car that could keep up with the Europeans in the twisty sections.
The 2024 Chevelle 70/SS will also be built on the GM Alpha platform, so we expect it to be just as athletic as its pony car sibling.
TAW Chevelle 70/SS Styling
The new Chevelle looks fantastic, and TAW has done its best to keep its proportions as close to the original as possible. Thanks to the modern suspension, it does have a wider and more aggressive stance than its forefather, but that’s certainly something we can live with.
TAW brought back the 1970 Chevelle’s sloping roofline, menacing quad-headlights, induction cowl hood, and, of course, chrome-framed taillights. Two sets of rims are available: Mach V and Rally SS. Both measure 20×11 at the front and 20×12 at the rear and are wrapped in fat 335/30 and 355/30 rubber.
Available In Three Trims
TransAm Worldwide introduced three trim levels for the Chevelle 70/SS lineup. At the bottom is the Base Model, which has the least power but still packs a serious punch.
One step up, we find the 396 Heritage Model, which pays homage to the 1970 SS 396. At the top of the Chevelle 70/SS food chain, there’s the highly impressive 454 LS6X Limited Edition. As its name implies, this one is a tribute to the most powerful 1970 Chevelle, the SS454 LS6.
Base Model Chevelle 70/SS Performance
Car enthusiasts are notorious for wanting the highest-spec machines, but there’s definitely no shame in buying the entry-level Chevelle 70/SS. TransAm Worldwide designed this one to be the closest to the original 1970 Chevelle SS 454 performance-wise.
Under the hood, you won’t actually find a massive 454, but the smaller 6.2-liter LT-1 V8 engine produces an identical 450 horsepower. If that’s not enough, buyers can add a 2600 Magnuson supercharger and a full exhaust system, pushing the figure to 675 horses.
Chevelle 70/SS 396 Heritage Model Packs 800+ Hp
The Chevelle 70/SS 396 Heritage Model is practically identical to the Base Model, at least until you pop the hood. You’ll soon notice why the 396 Heritage Model would leave the Base Model in its dust if they were to race down the quarter-mile.
Buyers can choose between a supercharged 396 V8 producing a very respectable 800 ponies or a twin-turbocharged 396 with a whopping 900 purebred American stallions. Did we mention that these power figures are measured at the rear wheels?
A Handful Of Chevelle 70/SS LS6X 454 Models
The 454 LS6X is the most exclusive version of the Chevelle 70/SS muscle car, emulating the original 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 LS6, which is generally considered the holy grail of classic Chevelles.
TAW will only make 25 Chevelle 70/SS 454 LS6X cars, and they are available in any color. For some reason, we have a sneaking suspicion that these will only be found in garages owned by the wealthiest muscle car collectors. Most likely, they’ll only be driven to the occasional local shows, and then sent back to a miserable existence as a garage queen.
The LS6X 454 Limited Edition Is The Most Powerful Chevelle Ever
While TAW’s 70/SS LS6X 454 Limited Edition flagship model is a tribute to the most powerful 1970 Chevelle, it really exceeds the model that inspired it in every way, except nostalgia. It looks like the other two available trims on the outside, but pop the hood and your jaw will probably drop.
The engine is now a 454 V8 unit, but the power outputs are borderline ridiculous. The version with the least power is fitted with a supercharger and produces 900 hp. TAW doesn’t think that’s enough, so they also made two twin-turbocharged versions. One produces 1,000 hp, and the top-spec version has 1,500 wild horses — that’s more than three times what the 1970 Chevelle 454 had.
Chevelle 70/SS Suspension And Brake Upgrades
Obviously, TAW had to install some upgrades to tame the powerful Chevelle 70/SS for road use. The Base Model gets a lowering spring package, an upgraded sway-bar package, and custom-painted brake calipers.
The 396 Heritage Model gets the same upgrades, but with the addition of Michelin Super Sport tires. The 1,500-horsepower 454 LS6X Limited Edition also gets a Wilwood big-brake kit with drilled and slotted rotors, six-piston calipers at the front, and four-piston calipers at the rear.
The Chevelle 70/SS Has Carbon Fiber Bodywork
The Chevelle 70/SS may have Camaro origins, but all the essential Chevelle retro features are in place, making it a convincing tribute to the 1970 version. In fact, only the windshield remains of the donor car’s exterior.
One thing that elevates the TAW 70/SS to a different level from the Camaro it’s based on is its full carbon fiber body. Unlike fiberglass or plastic, extensive use of carbon fiber lowers the weight without sacrificing strength. It’s also possible to choose between shaved door handles and chrome heritage handles.
2024 Chevelle 70/SS Color Options
For the Base Model and 396 Heritage Model, TAW offers buyers a choice of 20 different colors to adorn the carbon fiber bodywork.
Seeing as the LS6X 454 is the flagship model, it makes sense that it comes with some more exclusive options. Buyers can either pick from the same 20 colors available on the other two, or get a completely custom color. The standard colors are split into Heritage and Modern colors, and the bumpers can be chrome or painted.
The 2024 Chevelle 70/SS Has A Retro-Themed Interior Package
Since the Chevelle 70/SS is based on the Camaro, which is already retro-styled, it would be easy for TAW to leave the interior as it is. However, they’ve gone the extra mile to give it that proper retro feel.
The leather seats are retrimmed to resemble those from the 1970 Chevelle SS, and the front headrests have an embroidered 70/SS logo. Buyers can choose between a Hurst short-ratio manual transmission or an auto-box with a heritage shifter. There’s also a retro gauge cluster package to finish it off nicely. The end result is a retro-futuristic interior that combines the best of the classic Chevelle with the modern Camaro.
Chevelle 70/SS Base Model Price
The Chevelle 70/SS lineup certainly isn’t as attractively priced as your run-off-the-mill Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger. After all, we’re talking about carbon fiber-bodied custom cars here, so it’s no surprise that the price tag is closer to that of a supercar.
When introduced in 2024, the Base Model Chevelle 70/SS started at $175,000, and the price increases accordingly if you add the optional extras.
The Top Trim Level 70/SS May Cost As Much As The Equus Bass 770
Muscle car enthusiasts with a lot of cash burning a hole in their pockets may want something even more special than the Base Model 70/SS.
TAW says to contact them for the price, but estimates circulating on the internet say prices could easily exceed $250,000 for the higher-spec models. That’s roughly the same as the Equus Bass 770 retro-styled muscle car.
It’s Not The First Reimagined Chevelle
The 2024 Chevrolet Chevelle 70/SS isn’t the first time someone reimagined what a classic Chevelle would look like today.
In 2022, Vision Retro Designs built one inspired by the 1969 model year. They used the GM Zeta platform instead of the Alpha, which means the TAW Chevelle should offer superior driving dynamics. However, purists could argue that the Zeta-based car will handle more like the classic Chevelle.