Iconic muscle cars like a 1970 Chevelle SS454 can't be found sitting in a backyard anymore, or can they? The overwhelming state of incredulity you're feeling is also how a few guys felt as we were hanging out "chewing the fat" a local car show in Nashville, Tennessee. As the adult beverage consumption grew, so did the size and outlandishness of the stories. Then all of a sudden, one guy says, "I'm the owner of a real 1970 Chevelle SS454, and it's sitting in my backyard." Well let's just say the rest is history.

Arrangements were immediately made to see the car in person the very next morning. According to the owner, the car had been in Alabama its entire life when he purchased it missing its engine just a few years ago. He then parked the car in his backyard near the Tennessee Alabama border, and it hadn't moved since. The original engine supposedly had been destroyed street racing and removed very early in the car's life.

See all 40 photos The 1970 Chevelle SS454 as it was found sitting in the back yard of the owner's residence. The car is estimated to have been in its current location less than 5 years. The front parking lamp lenses have been replaced sometime during the car's life for amber units from a standard Malibu model. Correct SS style lenses are clear and were equipped with amber painted bulbs.

After the existing driveline components and the original buildsheet were inspected, the car was deemed to be an authentic 1970 SS454 LS5 Chevelle. The Muncie RPO (Regular Production Option) M22 "Rock Crusher" transmission was determined to be the original unit to the car, as well as the heavy-duty 3.31 ratio Positraction axle. Both of these driveline components were only available when the RPO Z15 SS454 option was selected in a 1970 Chevelle.

Other original components still present on the Chevelle include the original pink and blue paint stripe coded driveshaft (box 19 of the buildsheet) with heavy-duty yokes, "BB" code master cylinder, "9391" power brake booster, 2-piece disc brake rotors and backing plates, correct disc-brake calipers and rear brake drums, all heavy-duty RPO F41 suspension components, heavy-duty steering shaft, manual transmission steering column, and SS style dash with idiot light cluster.

See all 40 photos The interior photo shows the Chevelle was originally equipped with the base "idiot light" instrument panel which is also further proven by the buildsheet. This is the standard instrument panel used when the RPO U14 Special Instrumentation option wasn't selected. RPO U35 Electric Clock was automatically included with the U14 option but was not listed on a Lakewood Plant buildsheet option list.

The Chevelle also retains all of its original body panels as well. This includes the hood, front fenders, doors, deck lid, and both quarter panels. The majority of the car is still intact, but it will need the extensive sheetmetal body repair most barn finds usually require.

The RPO LS5 engine featured two-bolt main bearing engine blocks, a 10.25:1 compression ratio, a high-lift hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft, low-rise intake manifold, and a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. Transmission options available behind the LS5 engine were the heavy-duty Muncie M22 manual and Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic.

See all 40 photos The LS5 454 engine is missing. It's rumored to have been destroyed while street racing.

A 12-bolt rear axle was standard equipment with a 3.31:1 gear ratio and an optional Positraction limited slip. Additional rear-axle gear ratios were not available for the RPO LS5 option. Total production figures for the 1970 Chevelle SS454 equipped with the RPO LS5 option tallied 4,298 units, with 299 units assembled in Canada.

According to the buildsheet and data plate (cowl tag), the car was assembled the third week of February 1970 at the Lakewood Plant in Atlanta, Georgia. It was optioned with raised white-letter tires, cowl induction hood, and Positraction axle. The original color was Cranberry Red with black hood and deck stripes and a black vinyl bench-seat interior. The original selling dealer isn't known due to the lower left portion of the buildsheet where that information is located is not present.

See all 40 photos The correct, original-equipment Muncie bench-seat style shifter still remains in the Chevelle with an aftermarket T-handle grip attached. There were 3 different shifter variations installed in 1970 Chevelles. The second variation was when the RPO A51 Strato Bucket Seat Option was selected without RPO D55 Center Console. The third variation was when both RPO A51 and D55 were coupled together.

So now what? The Chevelle will be sold to a purchaser intending on giving it a total restoration and returning it to the streets. We love barn find articles with happy endings. Especially those that began as unbelievable stories that were actually true, and then ultimately end up being saved from the unlikeliest of places.

Have a rare find to share or need assistance authenticating your 1970 Chevelle SS? You can contact Patrick at pnichols26@yahoo.com or follow him on Facebook and Youtube at Patrick Glenn Nichols Musclecar Barn Finds.

See all 40 photos The Chevelle was parked along side a few other vintage muscle cars in the owner's backyard. It also appears the car was possibly painted a blueish green at some point.

See all 40 photos The original two-piece brake rotors and calipers are still present on the Chevelle. The correct casting numbers on original brake calipers for a 1970 Chevelle equipped with front power disc-brakes are 5469700 Left side and 5469701 Right side. These brake calipers were also originally equipped with blue plastic bleeder screw protectors "blue bleeders" that snap over the bleeder screw. It is generally agreed most assembly plants switched to a one-piece hub and rotor design after February 1970. The correct one-piece design rotor will have a groove cut into the center, and a two-piece rotor will not.

See all 40 photos The original Muncie RPO M22 manual transmission build date stamp indicates the following: P=Muncie; 0=1970 model; B=February; 04=4th day; C=M22. The build date of the transmission falls in line perfectly for a car assembled the 3rd week of February.

See all 40 photos The original rear axle assembly build date stamp indicates the following: CRV=3.31 gear ratio with RPO G80 Positraction (RPO Z15 SS454 only); 11=November; 10=10th day; B=Buffalo, New York assembly plant; 1=First shift.

See all 40 photos The build sheet of this Chevelle proves it to be an authentic Cranberry Red RPO LS5 SS454 that was originally equipped with Muncie M22 manual transmission and ZL2 Special Duct Hood with 100% certainty.

See all 40 photos The rear of the Chevelle is the vantage point a lot of street challengers most likely had. The Alabama plates indicate the last time the Chevelle was registered for the street was October 2001.

See all 40 photos The 1970 Chevelle SS454 as it was found sitting in the back yard of the owner's residence. The car is estimated to have been in its current location less than 5 years. The front parking lamp lenses have been replaced sometime during the car's life for amber units from a standard Malibu model. Correct SS style lenses are clear and were equipped with amber painted bulbs.