Chevrolet built a staggering number of Chevelles between 1964 and 1977, but not all of them were created equal. Buried in that production run are a handful of low-volume builds, regional one-offs, special-order monsters, and dealer experiments that today are worth serious attention. These aren’t your typical SS 396s or bench-seat coupes — they’re the oddballs, the limited runs, and the ones that never show up twice at the same car show. If you’re looking for a Chevelle that tells a deeper story, these are the ones to chase.
1965 Chevelle Z16
Only 201 Z16 Chevelles were built in 1965, making it one of the rarest muscle cars Chevrolet ever produced. It came with the 396-cubic-inch L37 big-block V8 rated at 375 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a Muncie 4-speed and heavy-duty suspension.
The Z16 was essentially a testbed for the later SS 396 cars. Chevrolet didn’t advertise it heavily, and most were sold to insiders or executives. With a price north of $4,500 new, it wasn’t cheap either. Today, they’re nearly impossible to find in the wild.
1970 Chevelle SS 396 L78
Everyone remembers the LS6, but the 375-hp L78 396 was arguably more elusive. Only about 2,144 were built in 1970, and they were the final iteration of the high-compression big-block before emissions regulations started to bite.
The L78 was a solid-lifter monster and came with all the heavy-duty hardware—F41 suspension, 12-bolt rear, and Muncie gearbox. While the 454 gets the spotlight, this 396 version revved higher and had a nastier cam. It’s the sleeper among the 1970 Chevelles.
1969 Chevelle COPO 9562
COPO Chevelles didn’t get the attention the COPO Camaros did, but they were just as wild. The COPO 9562 package shoved the iron-block L72 427 V8 under the hood—rated at 425 horsepower.
Only around 323 COPO Chevelles were built, mostly for drag racers or customers in the know. They lacked SS badging and didn’t advertise what they were. If you ever spot one with the L72 and no SS emblems, you’ve found one of Chevy’s best-kept secrets.
1971 Chevelle SS 454 LS6
The LS6 carried over into 1971 but in extremely limited numbers—just 188 units, to be exact. It was the last hurrah of the high-compression era. Still rated at 425 horsepower, it was only offered with the SS package and a 4-speed manual.
What makes the 1971 version special is that it’s almost never seen. Most people think the LS6 ended in 1970. These were stripped-down beasts aimed at buyers who didn’t care about creature comforts—just quarter-mile times.
1966 Chevelle SS 396 L78
While 1966 SS 396 production was strong, the L78 was a unicorn. Just under 3,100 were built, and many ended up thrashed at the drag strip. It featured a solid-lifter 396 rated at 375 hp, just like the 1965 Z16 but more available—barely.
The L78 was the real deal, especially when ordered with the M22 “Rock Crusher” transmission. Most buyers opted for the tamer 325- or 360-hp versions, making the L78 cars extremely scarce today.
1972 Chevelle Heavy Chevy
This oddball model was aimed at younger buyers who wanted performance styling without the high insurance rates. The Heavy Chevy came with unique decals, a domed hood, and the option for a 400 small-block or 402 big-block, but not the SS badge.
It wasn’t a stripped-out base model either—it had the looks and feel of a muscle car but could be had with a 3-speed manual and bench seat. Production was limited, and few were preserved, making it a rare find today.
1964 Chevelle Malibu SS with 327/300
Before the big-blocks arrived, the 1964 Chevelle SS with the L74 327 V8 rated at 300 horsepower was the hot setup. It came with a 4-barrel carb and a Powerglide or Muncie 4-speed, offering strong performance in a small, lightweight package.
These early Chevelles are often overlooked because they weren’t part of the 396 or 454 lineage. But this was the starting point, and clean survivors with factory documentation are increasingly hard to locate.
1970 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible
Of the nearly 63,000 SS 396s built in 1970, only around 7,000 were convertibles. Even fewer came with the 4-speed manual and the higher-output L34 or L78 engines, making well-optioned droptops a rare breed.
The convertibles weren’t built for drag racing, but they combined performance and cruising like few others. A loaded example with bucket seats, a console, and cowl induction is the kind of Chevelle you don’t stumble across twice.
1967 Chevelle SS 396 with L34
The 1967 SS 396 L34 was rated at 350 horsepower and paired with a 4-barrel carb and 10.25:1 compression. It wasn’t the top dog L78, but it hit a sweet spot between drivability and muscle.
Less than 60,000 SS 396s were built that year, and the majority were lower-horsepower L35s. The L34s are a solid middle ground and often missed by collectors chasing higher-output numbers, which makes them a smart buy today.
1973 Chevelle SS 454
By 1973, the Chevelle had moved to the colonnade body style and performance was fading fast. But the SS 454 still packed a punch, even though output dropped to 245 hp due to net horsepower ratings.
These cars were loaded with features, including swivel bucket seats, radial-tuned suspension, and 3.42 gears. Most people don’t associate 1973 with muscle cars, but the SS 454 is one of the few survivors of the era worth a second look.
Like Fast Lane Only’s content? Be sure to follow us.
Here’s more from us:
Leave a Reply