Super Rare 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Emerges at Yard Sale With Psychedelic Stripes

But even though it's one of the most common classics from the 1970 model year overall, the Chevelle spawned a few rare iterations, like the Greenbrier and Concours Estate wagons. The El Camino is also quite rare in Standard trim. But nothing beats the Chevelle SS LS6, the most potent incarnation of the nameplate.

Launched for the 1970 model year, the LS6 hit dealerships with Chevrolet's largest and most potent V8 engine. Dispacing a whopping 454 cubic inches (7.4 liters) and fitted with a four-barrel Holley carburetor (and a few other upgrades over the LS5), the LS6 pumped 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of torque. For reference, the contemporary 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI came with "only" 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet (664 Nm) on tap.

The mill wasn't exclusive to the Chevelle. It also found its way into the Monte Carlo and the Corvette. However, Chevrolet chose to drop it from the Chevelle line after the 1970 model year, which makes the SS LS6 a one-year wonder. And because it was an expensive option that added a 28% premium over the regular Chevelle, the LS6 was a slow seller and morphed into a rare classic.

How scarce is it? Well, Chevrolet reportedly sold 4,475 vehicles equipped with this package. But exactly how many of them were hardtops, convertibles, and El Camino pickups remains a mystery. Chevy simply did not keep a detailed record of these cars.

But at less than 4,500 units, some of which haven't survived to see 2023, the Chevelle LS6 is decidedly rare, especially when talking about examples that still have their numbers-matching engines. Like the weathered convertible you see here.

Found by YouTube's "DezzysSpeedShop" at an estate sale, this drop-top is a bit of a mystery. The car looks like it spent a few decades in a barn and sports red and yellow stripes. The latter aren't factory-correct and may have been added sometime in the 1970s. But while the convertible is in poor shape overall, it does come with a fully rebuilt LS6 engine.

The mill sits on display in front of the car, and it's packed with labels that advertise the factory-original components. Since the engine is not under the hood, it's safe to assume that the owner no longer has the time to restore the Chevelle and wants to get rid of it. And assuming it's indeed an authentic LS6 (we have yet to see proof), it's quite a rare find because the drop-tops are the rarest.

Yes, I know there's no official breakdown based on body styles. However, the owner of the LS6 Registry speculates that only about 103 units of the 4,475 Chevelle LS6 cars were convertibles. And fewer than 50 have been documented so far.