2024 Chevelle 70/SS: 10 Reasons You Should Be Excited (2024)

The Muscle car era has gifted us with some of the most legendary automobiles in American history. Without a doubt, one of the most iconic models from the 1960s and 1970s is the Chevrolet Chevelle. The souped-up version of the Malibu packed big-block power and tire-shredding torque, allowing it to deal with the quarter-mile in impressive times even by today's standards. In 1977, the last Chevelle rolled off the assembly line in Kansas, and since then, Muscle car fans have been hoping for a new reincarnation.

As it happens, the Chevrolet Chevelle was, indeed, reborn. This has happened on more than one occasion. But it wasn't GM that did it, despite the company having trademarked the name back in 2013. Instead, a Tallahassee-based company called Trans Am Worldwide took on an ambitious project to resurrect the iconic Muscle car name, by utilizing familiar underpinnings from another iconic American Muscle car. For 2024, the company is bringing out a new version of the Chevelle, and here are 10 reasons you should be excited about it.

10 The Chevelle's Iconic Neo-Retro Design

• Custom body inspired by the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
• Unique 70/SS badging
• Sleeker roofline than the 1970 original

It goes without saying, that one of the most appealing aspects of the 2024 Chevelle 70/SS is its looks. Each body panel is bespoke and made entirely out of carbon fiber. The proportions are as true to the 1970 Chevelle as possible, but with the accompanied wider stance, courtesy of the modern suspension geometry. The quad-headlights, induction cowl hood, and chrome framing around the taillights are only some of the classic design cues, brought back from the 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS.

Depending on how you spec yours, the Chevelle 70/SS can also come with a chrome front bumper piece, mimicking the original car. If that's too flashy for you, all the chrome exterior bits can be finished in the body color. If you have any doubts about the extent of Trans Am Worldwide's work on the Chevelle 70/SS, the only Camaro body part left is the front windshield.

9 Offered Across Multiple Body Styles

• The 2024 Chevelle 70/SS is available as a soft-top convertible with a fully-automated roof, like on the donor car
• There is also a hardtop variant of the Chevelle 70/SS, inspired by the 1970 fixed-head model
• The sixth-generation Camaro platform offers plenty of structural rigidity even with the top-down

When it comes to classic muscle cars, the hardtop variants are, typically, the most sought-after. The simple reason is chassis rigidity. However, with Trans Am Worldwide's modern take on the classic Chevelle, this isn't a problem. Most cars we see on the company website are soft-top convertibles, although the Tallahassee-based company makes it clear a hardtop variant will also be available.

The people of Trans Am Worldwide clearly have an affinity for open-top body styles, as testified by another iconic project of theirs - the Pontiac Firebird Bandit, which pays homage to the 1977 T-top model from "Smokey and the Bandit". Regardless of the body style, the 2024 Chevelle 70/SS retains a full interior, including the rear seat, albeit with a classic twist, reminiscent of the 1970 Chevelle.

Cars Built On Chevrolet Camaro's F-Body Platform

• Chevrolet Camaro (1967-2002)
• Pontiac Firebird (1967-2002)

Cars Built on Chevrolet Camaro's GM Alpha Platform

• Chevrolet Camaro (2016-2024)
• Cadillac ATS (2013-2019)
• Cadillac CTS (2014-2019)
• Cadillac CT4 (2020 - present)
• Cadillac CT5 (2020 - present)

8 Utilizing One Of The Best GM Platforms

• GM's sportiest platform remains unchanged from the Camaro donor car
• Classic looks meet modern driveability
• The Camaro underpinnings make the Chevelle 70/SS a proper sports car, dressed like classic Muscle

The Chevrolet Camaro has long been the go-to platform for recreating discontinued, classic muscle cars. The 2024 Chevelle 70/SS is no exception as it makes full use of the sixth-generation Camaro's bones. This includes the GM Alpha platform, which the Camaro adopted in 2016.

This gave the last Chevy Camaro a much-needed athleticism, along with cornering prowess rivaling the likes of BMW's M3. One of the more unexpected builds based on a sixth-generation Chevy Camaro is a newly reimagined Chevrolet Corvair, which looks just as faithful to the original as the Chevelle 70/SS.

7 Classic V-8 Power

• The base engine produces 450 horsepower
• A choice of Tremec six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic from the Camaro SS
• Modern-day reliability and comparable performance to a sixth-generation Camaro SS

The original Chevelle SS continues to prove that it is plenty fast even by today's standards. Naturally, Trans Am Worldwide had to replicate this quality as well. Like any other muscle car, the centerpiece is a powerful, pushrod V-8 engine.

It's safe to say that the Chevelle is one of those classic cars, defined by their big-block V-8 engines. The 2024 iteration continues the tradition of packing a pushrod V-8 engine. In this case, it is the LT-1 unit found in the Camaro SS. The same goes for the transmission options, which are a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic.

Specifications

6 Naturally-Aspirated, Supercharged, Or Twin-Turbo?

• The least-powerful Chevelle 70/SS with forced induction produces 675 horsepower
• Iconic nameplates make a comeback
• A choice between supercharged or twin-turbo setups

While the LT-1-equipped base model is potent enough for most, Trans Am Worldwide offers a variety of performance packages. You can opt for a supercharged version of the LT-1 engine, producing 675 horsepower - 125 more than the naturally aspirated model - or you can skip that and go for the 396 Heritage edition.

Here, you can choose between 800 or 900 horsepower, being sent to the rear wheels. Interestingly enough, the 396 engine is, actually, 402 cubic inches (6.6 liters), just like in the later iterations of the original Chevelle 396 SS - another subtle nod to the legend.

5 The 454 Big-block Is Back

• The 454 Big-block is back as the top engine option.
• The power rating for the 454 version starts at 900 horsepower to the rear wheels
• Like the 396 trim, you get a choice between supercharged or twin-turbo

It wouldn't be a proper comeback for the Chevelle without the iconic 454 Big-Block. Back in the day, the Chevelle SS 454 was not just the most powerful Chevelle, but also one of the quickest muscle cars in the quarter-mile. With the right set of rear gears, the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 could sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and blast down the 1,320 feet in 13.4 seconds.

The 2024 Chevelle 454, however, puts those numbers to shame, as it packs 900 to 1,500 horsepower, depending on how you spec it. Like in the 396 edition, the lower horsepower figure is achieved through a supercharger while 1,500 wheel-horsepower is achieved with a twin-turbo setup. It's no surprise that the 1,500-horsepower twin-turbo 70/SS variant is sold out.

Specifications Comparison

(Specs: Chevrolet, TransAM Worldwide)

4 The Most Powerful Chevelle Ever

• A bonkers, twin-turbocharged, LS6X version with 1,500 horsepower
• Based on the 454 Big-block
• Drag pack, accompanied by chassis and drivetrain enhancements
• Limited production of 25 units

Trans Am Worldwide plays a very strong heritage card with the 2024 Chevelle 70/SS. Back in 1970, the LS6 454 was considered one of the most definitive Chevrolet Chevelles. The LS6 designation also makes a comeback, with 1,500 horsepower. This is, currently, the most powerful version of the Chevelle 70/SS Trans Am Worldwide would sell you.

As standard, the Chevelle 70/SS also comes with upgraded sway bars and lowering springs to keep all those rampaging horses on the ground. This ultimate version of the Chevelle also benefits from a "drag pack" as well as a big brake kit, featuring six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston at the back, along with drilled and slotted rotors.

3 Better Than The Previous Chevelle Interpretation

• A more modern build based on the sixth-generation Camaro instead of the previous, fifth-generation
• More powertrain options, ranging from 450-horsepower, naturally aspirated to 1,500-horsepower twin-turbocharged
• Based on the more popular, 1970 Chevelle, instead of the 1969 model year

As extensive as Trans Am Worldwide's work on the Chevelle 70/SS is, it isn't the first time the iconic Muscle car has made a comeback. In 2022, Vision Retro Designs approached us with their own take on the classic Chevelle, but this time, inspired by the 1969 model year. While the company's work is equally substantial, their project was based on the 2013 Camaro ZL-1.

This means that underneath the custom body hides the fifth-generation Camaro's GM Zeta platform, which is inferior to the newer Alpha platform. In this regard alone, TAW's interpretation of the Chevelle boasts better driving characteristics as the Alpha platform turns the donor car from a lumbering beast to a sports car.

2 True To The Original Classic

• The Camaro interior features retro-styled leather upholstery with 1970 Chevelle signature touches
• Hurst shifter for the manual and heritage shifter for the automatic
• A choice of two retro-inspired wheel designs

While recreating the original proportions and featuring a pushrod V-8 are key ingredients of reimagining an iconic classic, the people of TAW have gone even further. You can choose between 19 colors in total, eight of which are classic hues, like Forest Green, Phantom Blue, Classic White, and Cranberry Red, only to name a few.

Regardless of which wheel design you go for, the wheels measure 20x11 inches in the front and 20x12 inches in the rear. The nostalgia continues inside the cabin. While you can easily recognize the Camaro dashboard and inner door panels, everything has been reworked and reupholstered. The result is a retro-futuristic interior, reminiscent of the 1970s Chevelle, but with all the modern touches you would expect from the last-generation Camaro.

1 The Attention To Detail And Customization Options

• Bespoke build quality is far beyond GM's mass-produced assembly
• A choice between chrome or body-colored exterior bits
• Shaved or retro-styled door handles

It is a well-known fact, that GM's build quality and choice of materials don't exactly scream "upscale". While some of Cadillac's models do a great job at redeeming GM's final fit and finish, most GM products couldn't hold a candle to a custom-build neo-retro Muscle car like the 2024 Chevelle 70/SS. TAW's choice of exotic materials like carbon fiber means this reinvented Chevelle is, both, lightweight and structurally rigid.

At the same time, the more powerful versions of the car pack handcrafted engines. The wheels and even door handles can be customized to your liking. You can open the door through classically styled chrome pieces, or you can have the door handles shaved for a sleeker look. The Chevelle is one of the most iconic 1970s muscle cars, and TAW's take on the legend only adds to the heritage.

Chevrolet 70/SS Customization Options

• Custom colors
• Painted graphics
• Exposed carbon fiber
• Brake upgrades
• Removable hard top
• Multiple wheel options