A hidden collection of seven classic Chevys is finally being sold after three decades, including two rare 1970 Chevelle LS6s.
Some cars are rare enough that finding one feels like winning the lottery. Finding two in the same collection is almost unheard of. That is exactly what Parker Blubaugh encountered when he discovered a collection of legendary Detroit muscle cars that had spent roughly 30 years sitting under tarps inside a garage.
Blubaugh, host of the popular Backyard Barn Finds YouTube channel, uncovered the collection and found not one but two 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6s among the cars.
One of the two Chevelles remains remarkably original. It is a genuine survivor that somehow avoided decades of modifications and neglect. The odometer shows just 7,640 actual miles, making its mileage one of the most remarkable aspects of the car.
The white Chevelle still wears its original exterior color and has a completely original black vinyl interior. Under the cowl-induction hood sits the car's defining feature: Chevrolet's 454-cubic-inch LS6 V8.
The big-block was officially rated at 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, making the LS6 one of the most powerful factory muscle-car engines of its era. Chevrolet paired the engine with either a close-ratio four-speed manual or a heavy-duty Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The white car has the automatic.
The heavy-duty transmission was designed to withstand the LS6's enormous torque output. When the Chevelle arrived in Chevrolet showrooms, the base price was roughly $3,500. Adding the LS6 and its required heavy-duty equipment could push the final sticker price beyond $4,000.
At that price, the Chevelle faced competition from cars such as the Plymouth Hemi GTX, Ford Torino Cobra, Pontiac GTO Judge and Dodge Charger R/T Hemi.
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle in 1964 to fill the space between the compact Chevy II and its full-size lineup, which included the Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala. The new intermediate quickly became a major success and remained in production through the 1977 model year.
Over its 13-year run, the Chevelle went through three generations and was produced in enormous numbers. Chevrolet built more than five million examples across its various trim levels, body styles and engine combinations.
Most were ordinary transportation, including six-cylinder and small-block sedans and practical station wagons. High-performance versions represented only a small portion of total production.
The LS6 was among the rarest of them all. Chevrolet built just 4,475 Chevelles with the 450-hp big-block during the 1970 model year.
The low production number, combined with the survivor condition of this particular car, makes it especially desirable. An original example with its matching-numbers drivetrain and factory documentation is already difficult to find. Finding two LS6 Chevelles in the same long-hidden collection is an entirely different story.
Blubaugh documented the assembly-line stampings and factory components that help establish the car's authenticity. Details including the original brake booster, correct inner fender wells and distinctive core-support bolts point to the car's Atlanta assembly plant origins.
That kind of documentation matters with high-value collector cars, where clones and tribute builds can look convincing enough to fool buyers.
Blubaugh wanted to purchase the entire collection, but the owner, who declined to appear on camera, insisted that the cars be sold individually.
The white, low-mileage LS6 with the automatic transmission is priced at $175,000. The seller describes the deal as non-negotiable, where-is and as-is, with no strings attached.
Blubaugh already purchased the second LS6, a green example equipped with the four-speed manual transmission.
Several other cars from the collection remain available: a 1972 Chevelle LS5 convertible, a 1969 Camaro SS 396, a 1970 Chevelle SS 396 and a 1975 Corvette with T-tops and 7,000 miles.
With the exception of the Corvette, each remaining car is priced at $100,000.