The 1970 Monte Carlo brochure
reads as follows for the SS454 model:
“Monte Carlo SS454 includes
a 360-hp Turbo-Jet 454 V8, Automatic Level Control, G70 x 15 wide-oval white
stripe tires with 7”-wide rim wheels, heavy duty chassis components and SS
exterior identification.”
This page is to
provide information about the First Generation Monte Carlo SS.
The Monte Carlo
SS454 was only made in 1970 and 1971. The 1970 SS could be distinguished
from a non-SS Monte Carlo by the emblems on the lower fenders of each side.

In 1971 the SS
added additional markings on the rear of the car. This included having the
"BY CHEVROLET" tag replaced by "SS", chrome strips added to
the top of the rear panel below the trunk, the rear panel painted black and a
rubber bumper pad.

These emblems
are the only way to tell an SS Monte Carlo from the outside.
The best way to
check to see if a car is a real SS is the build sheet. The build sheet
will have the Z20 option listed - Monte Carlo SS. There is no indication
of the SS option in the VIN or data plates on U.S. built Monte Carlos. Canadian
built 1970 and 1971 SS454 Monte Carlos will have the Z20 code on the cowl tag.
See the GM
Restoration Packet page for a Canadian built 1971 SS454 option list.

All SS Monte
Carlos in '70 and '71 were 454s and all 454s in '70 and '71 were SS cars.
So, if there is a numbers matching 454 in the car, that is a good indication it
is a real SS. The VIN should match the serial number on the engine.
The engine serial number is usually found on the machined surface of the block
just forward of the right cylinder head. It may also be found on a pad on
hte side of the block near the oil filter. The serial number will start
with "CRN" for '70 and "CPD" for '71.
All SS’s definitely
have:
1. Automatic
Level Control
G67 - Automatic
Level Control – compressor under the hood, leveling valve mounted on rear, air
shocks and air shock protector plates on rear.
The compressor
is mounted on the inside of the left inner fender.

The leveling
valve in mounted on the body and attaches to the left rearend control arm.

The shock protector plates
are bolted to the rear just inboard of the lower shock mounts.

Also look for
the black plastic air line along the left frame rail. The line was held in
place with clips on the brake lines.
2. Rims and
Wheel Covers
Either the PH1 -
7” x 15” rims with wheel covers (1970 only) or the ZJ7– 7" x
15" Rally wheels (1971 standard 1970 optional). '70 SS pictured below with
the wheel covers.

3.
454 Engine
LS5 - 454 V8 –
360hp (no proof of the LS-6 450 hp cars – but we’re hoping…)

4. Turbo
Hydromatic 400 Transmission
M40 – TH400
automatic transmission
5. White
Stripe Tires
P90 – G70 x 15
white stripe tires
6. Heavy Duty
Battery
T60 – HD
battery
7. Front and
Rear Sway Bars
F41 - Front and
Rear anti-sway bars - the front sway bar is 1-1/8" diameter (standard is
15/16" diameter). There is also
a plate welded to the bottom of the rear control arms ("boxed"
control arms).
8. Dual
Exhaust
N10 – dual
exhaust - same tips as SS Chevelle
No SS’s have:
1. Fender
Skirts
T58 - fender
skirts (due to the 7” wide rims)
2. Manual
Transmission
M20 – 4 speed
transmission – (no proof yet of any in existence, show us your build sheet)
3. LS6 Engine
LS6- 450 hp 454
– please prove me wrong, until then…
4.
Convertible Top
Convertible roof
– again, no documented proof, lots of tales though…
An SS may have:
1. Rally
Wheels
ZJ7 - Rally
Wheels - 7” x 15” (again,
standard in '71, optional in '70)
2. Center
Console
D55 - console -
NOT part of the SS package, if it is present it should have the burlwood top
that matches the dash.
3. Bucket
Seats
A51 - Bucket
Seats - NOT part of SS package, some SS454 cars were built with bench seats.
4.
Positraction Rear End
G80 - 12 bolt
positraction rear – 2.56 was the standard ratio for the 70 SS and the 3.31 was
the standard ratio for the 71.
5. Special
Gage Package
U14 - Gage
Package - NOT part of the SS package, SS cars may have warning lights instead.
6. Power
Steering
N40 - Power
Steering - not all SS cars had it.
This page is maintained by Dave Mau and Leo
Konik. If you have any information, comments or questions, please contact Dave or Leo. Some of the photos above were obtained from various sources.
We have attempted to contact the owner of each photo but we were still was not able to
contact everyone. If we have used one of your photos and you wish to have
it removed, please let us know and we will do so immediately.