The 1970s was ruled not by performance, but by luxury, style, and outward appearances. Per the wonderful minds inside the marketing departments, you weren’t bothered with loud, fast and violent muscle cars anymore because you obviously matured from that scene. It almost felt like a dressing down from your parents after high school graduation: “Ok, you’ve had your fun, and I hope that it’s out of your system, because now it’s time to buckle down and get serious about your life. Put up the toys and look at what really matters.” Which, gas crisis be damned, was size, overstuffed interiors, and the appearance that you were spending money on luxury. Look at the big sellers: Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chrysler Cordoba, and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Big, stylish two-door coupes that kept occupants coddled in comfort. 
The Monte Carlo was an upmarketed A-body, designed around the stretched variation that had debuted with the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1969. They sold more on style and options than they ever did luxury, but for 1970 the SS 454 model existed. It wasn’t popular, with only 3,823 escaping the factory that year. A gentleman’s hot rod, the SS 454 utilized the LS5 variation of the 454ci big-block V8, which would push out 365 horsepower and a torque figure that is pushing 500 ft/lbs. Those are the factory ratings, and many consider them woefully conservative. The running gear was stout from front to back: mandatory TH400 automatic, 12-bolt rear axle, F41 suspension and the automatic ride-leveling system. The only callout was on the lower rocker panel of the front fender and can be easily overlooked. 
What can’t be overlooked is what the Monte became. Instead of a Chevelle Super Sport that screamed “race me” as loudly as possible, you now had an upmarket Monte Carlo that echoed traces of Cadillac in certain designs, that could easily smack around some punk at the stoplight drags, but would take you home in comfort once the ass-kicking was over. In silver with a black vinyl roof, what would you have paid attention to first, the engine or the materials on the seats? This was the under-the-radar car for those in the know before the Monte Carlo truly became synonymous with performance. No stripes. No cannon exhaust. No spoilers. Just a sledgehammer under the hood and a comfy bench seat to sit on.
Mecum Auctions’ 2018 Los Angeles: Lot F100.1 – 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454
A friend and I went into partnership on a 1970 SS454 Monte back in the 90’s. Paid $2100 for it. Needed to total restoration, had a rod knock, lots of work. Found the build sheet on top of the gas tank though. Sold it a few months later for $2500.
“before the Monte Carlo truly became synonymous with performance”. When exactly did that happen? I must have missed that day.
When NASCAR teams chose the monte Carlo over the Chevelle as a race vehicle.
OK. Personally I think that’s a stretch, as “performance” is the last thing I think about when I hear “Toyota Camry” (following the same logic). I really do like the 1st gen Monte SS cars, but I don’t associate performance with any of the later gens, including the anemic aero coupes.
Find one with a LS5 and a four gear, then you have something. Somehow I always liked the Poncho SJ & J versions better. Not that I would crush this one. Very nice car.
I’ve heard claims of a 4sp LS5 existing but none have ever surfaced.
A friend of mine has a 70 Big block 400 with a factory four speed, but only trans available with the SS was the turbo 400, most of them had a 2:56 rear, that restricted the potential of that LS5
Rip out the boring automatic in this car and shove in a 5- or 6-speed manual! Anger the purists and give yourself something to do on that fluffy pillow of a bench seat!
How much does a first gen big block Monte Carlo weigh?
A 1970 big block Monte Carlo in the above configuration weighed in at 3,911 lbs.
$400 cheaper than a same year Corvette,but the Monte Carlo was $1,000 a year cheaper for insurance.