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If you're going to remember a Chevelle, you might as well remember the SS. The Ss was a model distinction that ran from 1964 to its slow and sad death as a detuned paperweight in 1973. but along the way there were some serious high points.

The whole concept was born out of a need for Chevrolet to answer the mid-sized muscle car call that was going out not just from outright competitors, but from those within it's own family such as the GTO, the Cutlass, and the GSX. Chevy had always thought of itself as the big brother of the GM family, and had to intention of letting the younger siblings steal the thunder.

So in 1964 the SS was born and you could get a relatively cheap car in a coupe or convertible format that would put out 300 horsepower. Not a bad proposition, but things got better

1965 saw options that would give you 375 horses, then in '66 the same car essentially, was helped with a bit of suspension upgrades. But it wouldn't be until 1970 that the SS of all SS's would be built.

In 1970, the Chevelle SS was offered with the notorious LS6 454-cubic inch V8 that produced an authoritative 450 horsepower and 500 foot pounds of torque. And the SS that would slay the others was born. This model was by far and still is, the most sought after of the Chevelles ever made. Unfortunately, like all good things, it had to come to an end.

In just three years of philosophical changes, stricter emissions, and the fuel crunch that led to compact cars, the desire to continue a muscle car program was diminishing and the mighty SS its engine options erode to a paltry 245 horsepower for the 454-cubic inch engine. And that was the last time a Chevelle SS was ever made. Seems like they should have quit on a high note and made 1970 the last year model because the consumers effectively did the same and quit buying the SS after the power went away. The value of being able to buy an off the showroom floor dragster was gone, and there is where the SS went wrong.

Learn more about this author, M.L. Brooke.
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