1970 427 TRI-POWER Coupe 4-speed..??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
So I have kind of a weird one. I currently own a 1970 SS 454 ElCamino that was the 22nd car built in 1970 it has 2 codes on the trim tag that no book I have found can decode, but says it meant something special about the car, whatever that means.
Anyway the fenders still had the 454 emblems with original speed nuts, and not replacement fenders, or a re drill, all the body panels were the same original color when we stripped it.
Anyway it had a 427 in it, and we/I have always wondered if because of the strike, and the super early production of the car they used a few 427s in the early 70 productions because the 454s were not ready??????
Thoughts?
Anyway the fenders still had the 454 emblems with original speed nuts, and not replacement fenders, or a re drill, all the body panels were the same original color when we stripped it.
Anyway it had a 427 in it, and we/I have always wondered if because of the strike, and the super early production of the car they used a few 427s in the early 70 productions because the 454s were not ready??????
Thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
So I have kind of a weird one. I currently own a 1970 SS 454 ElCamino that was the 22nd car built in 1970 it has 2 codes on the trim tag that no book I have found can decode, but says it meant something special about the car, whatever that means.
Anyway the fenders still had the 454 emblems with original speed nuts, and not replacement fenders, or a re drill, all the body panels were the same original color when we stripped it.
Anyway it had a 427 in it, and we/I have always wondered if because of the strike, and the super early production of the car they used a few 427s in the early 70 productions because the 454s were not ready??????
Thoughts?
Anyway the fenders still had the 454 emblems with original speed nuts, and not replacement fenders, or a re drill, all the body panels were the same original color when we stripped it.
Anyway it had a 427 in it, and we/I have always wondered if because of the strike, and the super early production of the car they used a few 427s in the early 70 productions because the 454s were not ready??????
Thoughts?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Baytown TX
Well it's an old enough thread but nobody said this so I guess I'll pitch my 2 cents in.
Guy never put up the block casting numbers. It could be the original 454 block if the vin stamp is legit somebody just put a tri power on it and called it an original 427 seems more likely to me.
Guy never put up the block casting numbers. It could be the original 454 block if the vin stamp is legit somebody just put a tri power on it and called it an original 427 seems more likely to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
Unfortunately it was .030 over, and the block was decked, but all the dates and casting #s were correct for the production date of the car. The other thing it had, and I still have it, is a GM part #ed Holley carb for a 425 HP 396 which is ultra rare, it also had, and I still have it, a LS-6 intake manifold which is a GM unit, not a reproduction.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
Unfortunately it was .030 over, and the block was decked, but all the dates and casting #s were correct for the production date of the car. The other thing it had, and I still have it, is a GM part #ed Holley carb for a 425 HP 396 which is ultra rare, it also had, and I still have it, a LS-6 intake manifold which is a GM unit, not a reproduction.
I am reasonabley sure your engine is NOT original if it was a 427. One of the previous owners probably installed a rebuilt motor early on that happened to have proper dates/casting number
I have never seen any factory original 1970 Chevy with a 427 but have heard every story and they all end the same. No proof. Missing motors, redecked blocks and restamps are usually all part of the equation.
The rare parts are always nice to have.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
I figured as much.
I am reasonabley sure your engine is NOT original if it was a 427. One of the previous owners probably installed a rebuilt motor early on that happened to have proper dates/casting number
I have never seen any factory original 1970 Chevy with a 427 but have heard every story and they all end the same. No proof. Missing motors, redecked blocks and restamps are usually all part of the equation.
The rare parts are always nice to have.
I am reasonabley sure your engine is NOT original if it was a 427. One of the previous owners probably installed a rebuilt motor early on that happened to have proper dates/casting number
I have never seen any factory original 1970 Chevy with a 427 but have heard every story and they all end the same. No proof. Missing motors, redecked blocks and restamps are usually all part of the equation.
The rare parts are always nice to have.
The car now has a 496 in it with modern roller cam etc.
It is also wayyyyyyy faster than when it was stock, and is one of my favorite muscle cars of all time. In fact it is the longest I have owned a car new, or old. I have owned it since 1998, but knew about it 20 years before that. I bought it and a 71 LS-5 Vette from the same guy as a package deal, the Vette is long gone.
Last edited by centuryoldracer; Feb 5, 2017 at 12:56 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
Thanks! Not my first color choice but since it is a original BB car I painted it the original color which does look nice. Quite a few BB cars had vinyl tops so I kept that original too.
I do all the restoration work myself including paint.
I do all the restoration work myself including paint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
it could have left the factory like that. Back then you could have about anything us copo. But its doubtful. If it was true the car would probably pull a million bucks at auction because it was the ONLY one. Either theres documentation of the order or its a fake.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
cheif of police in our town back then brought home a brand new 70 with an ls6 and claimed back then it came from the factory. We found out later that the dealership had swapped motors out of an ls6 chevelle there body shop got in that was totaled with a 120 miles on it. truth didn't make it any slower though
Can't be original motor. They went through this in the CAC a while ago. There was a Vette owner in Clearwater claiming he had a 70 with it's original LS-6. (No LS-6 Vettes built in 70), Another Forum member went over to see it and document it with some pics. Engine had no pad stamp, and he had no documentation as far as window stickers or build sheets whatsoever.
so????
These day's if your're going to try and pawn a one-off on me, you'd better be prepared to prove it. Doubting Thomas...... you bet!!!!
so????
These day's if your're going to try and pawn a one-off on me, you'd better be prepared to prove it. Doubting Thomas...... you bet!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
I agree, it is interesting.
My comment was for the readers who may think it does mean something. I didnt want those readers to get there hopes up thinking they have a all original 1970 Chevy whatever with a 427 simply because its on a tune up sheet.
GM themselves had put out literature saying the LS6 was coming out in 1970 rated at 460hp in the Corvette if I'm not mistaken.
My comment was for the readers who may think it does mean something. I didnt want those readers to get there hopes up thinking they have a all original 1970 Chevy whatever with a 427 simply because its on a tune up sheet.
GM themselves had put out literature saying the LS6 was coming out in 1970 rated at 460hp in the Corvette if I'm not mistaken.
