1968-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

The Chevelle was introduced in 1964 to fill the mid-size void in Chevrolet’s lineup and, more specifically, to compete with the Ford Fairlane. It was a versatile platform with two-door, four-door, and station wagon configurations, plus the El Camino was built upon it. 1964 was also the beginning of the muscle car craze, so Chevy developed a performance version known as the Chevelle SS. Equipped with beefier suspensions and brakes, the SS cars eventually were fitted with a 396ci engine, which was the biggest allowable, by GM’s arbitrary ban on large engines in mid-size models.

The second generation of the Chevelle began in 1968, with a completely redesigned body that most fans think is the coolest looking of the car’s run. The SS, which had briefly become its own series, went back to a performance package in the second-gen and, thankfully, GM lifted its large displacement ban, so starting in 1970, the mighty 454 engine could be had under the hood of a Chevelle. The 1968-1972 Chevelle SS is one of the greatest muscle cars of all time and the most collectible GM performance ride from the classic era, which is another way of saying they ain’t cheap. Trans Am Worldwide leveraged this iconic status to reimagine the Chevelle for 2024.

Maintenance And Repairs

CarEdge doesn’t have any relevant information on the maintenance and repair costs for 1968-1972 Chevelle SS cars, but they do calculate that it costs $6,460 to keep a Chevy Malibu on the road for the first ten years of service, with a 19.26 percent chance of a major repair in that time. RepairPal also only has info on the Malibu, which has a $532 yearly maintenance cost. On YourMechanic, the yearly average for the cost of repairs on a Chevrolet of any kind is just $349, which is better than almost every other make.

Most Common Chevrolet Chevelle SS Problems Reported

• Power steering pump replacement
• Control arm assembly replacement
• Wheel bearings replacement
• Crankshaft seal replacement
• Oil pan gasket replacement

There actually aren’t any glaring issues or common failures for the second-gen Chevelle SS. Most of the repairs listed by the various reporting agencies involve normal routine maintenance that would be encountered in any motor vehicle, like air filter replacement, new shocks, and leaky seals or gaskets. There are no costly surprises that come with Chevy SS ownership.

Repairs And Pricing Info

People who own classics like the 1968-1972 Chevelle generally have some mechanical know-how and do most of the work themselves. Engines of that era are fairly simple and anything short of a complete rebuild is as easy as bolting on the replacement part. Also, there is plenty of room to get hands and tools in there, so there’s no need to pay a mechanic top dollar to fix anything. The actual repair cost for a second-gen Chevelle is limited to parts and the owner’s time.

Recalls And Safety Investigations

Chevrolet sold over two million Chevelles between 1968 and 1972, so it’s pretty astounding that there were only four recalls in that time. Also, none of the recalls were major catastrophes nor did they involve defective or dangerous parts. One was because the sticker with tire pressure information was put in the wrong place, and the other three were due to the possibility of some improperly installed linkage clips. One would be hard-pressed to find another car with a four-year trouble-free run like that.

Reliability, Running Costs, And Expected Mileage

J.D. Power doesn’t rate the reliability of cars as old as a second-generation Chevelle SS and neither does CarEdge, but the real world provides a pretty good gauge. Any car that’s still running and driving after 50 years has to be pretty solid. CarSurvey.org has several owner reviews of Chevelles from 1968 through 1972 and there isn’t a thumbs down in the bunch. This is a model that people love and part of the reason is that they were made almost bullet-proof.

Reliability Rating: 9.5/10

Two 1968-1972 Chevelle SS owners provided reliability scores on Carsurvey.org, totaling the average reliability to 9.5 out of 10:

The user who gave a 9/10 reliability score owns a 1970 Chevelle SS with the 454 LS6 engine and apparently dropped a point because he or she destroyed the four-speed transmission while hot rodding. The other review comes from the original owner of a 1969 Chevelle SS 396, and has nothing but nice things to say, commenting:

Running Costs: 4/10

Two 1968-1972 Chevelle SS owners provided running costs scores on Carsurvey.org, totaling the average reliability to 4 out of 10:

It’s not surprising that second-gen Chevelle SS cars have such a low running costs score because they are packing big gas-guzzling American V-8s. The ’68 SS 396 gets a combined 11,17 MPG, while the SS 454 is almost two miles per gallon less. Nobody buys a classic Chevy muscle car for its fuel efficiency.

Highest Miles Reported: 101,323

Two 1968-1972 Chevelle SS owners provided the highest number of miles reported on Carsurvey.org, totaling the average miles to 97,661.5:

There isn’t a single bad rating for the 1968-1972 Chevelle SS on CarSurvey.org. Any problems that owners have reported are either a result of them racing the hell out of their cars or simple maintenance that comes with a 50-year-old car. Every owner has commented something to the effect that it’s the greatest ride they’ve ever owned, as well as promoting the Chevelle SS as the best muscle car ever built.

Pricing And Values

Valuation Highlights

The above numbers are from the Haggerty Valuation Tool for a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS with a 454ci LS5 V-8, and quite frankly, it seems like a steal at every level. Classic.com documented a ’71 SS 454 that sold for $195,000 and another that is listed for $249,000. Top-selling Chevelle SS cars from 1968-1972 range in price from $165,000 to $572,000. These, of course, are cherry examples with rare engine options, but even a common SS in fair condition can fetch over $50,000 at auction.

What To Look For Before Buying

Buying a 1968-1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a major investment, even if it’s a project car, so it’s imperative to go over a prospective purchase with a fine-toothed comb. Matching numbers matter, as does correct equipment, no matter what condition the stuff is in. It’s easier to repair or refurbish original parts than it is to find and replace them. The reality is that lots of things on all classic muscle cars have been swapped out for much less cool rides.

First Thing To Look For

Rust is the most obvious thing to look for on any classic set of wheels because they are half a century old and undercoating didn’t use to be a standard feature. Get under the Chevelle SS and look for holes in the floor, but also any serious corrosion issues with the frame and suspension. Additionally, bring a magnet and check the usual hot spots for lazy Bondo repairs. Just because the car looks good doesn’t mean it was restored correctly.

Second Thing To Look For

If the Chevelle SS is a 1970 model or later and has a 454ci V-8, it’s important to determine if the engine is an LS5 or LS6. Either way, it will be a solid purchase, but the LS6 is way more powerful and rare, which in terms of muscle cars also means it is more expensive. The things that made the LS6 a 425-horsepower monster versus the 365 ponies of the LS5 are all internal, so the best way to tell is by looking at the engine block, which may not be the easiest thing in the world to do. Then again, a test drive should be a pretty good indicator of how much raw power is under the hood.

Third Thing To Look For

The most important thing to look for in a Chevelle SS is whether it is actually an SS. SS cars are worth much more than their similarly equipped non-SS counterparts, so many people have faked them with after-market badging. A true 1968 SS will be reflected in the VIN, but from 1969 to 1972 it was a performance package and didn’t get a special code on the fender tag. An original build sheet would help solve the problem, but not everyone has that, so bringing an expert along to determine if it’s an SS is ideal, since the cues are subtle and arcane.

Is It Worth Buying A 1968-1972 Chevelle?

The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is one of the greatest muscle cars ever built, and the 1968-1972 second generation was the ultimate street ride. For a collector or enthusiast, picking one up is a no-brainer because it is worth every cent, no matter the condition. A fully-restored SS will never go down in value and any money put into a project car will not exceed its eventual worth. From a pure enjoyment perspective, there’s really nothing more fun or eye-catching than burning down the avenue in a killer classic ride, and even a perfectly restored second-gen Chevelle SS costs less than many modern performance vehicles that nobody will pay attention to.