1970 Chevelles fetch top dollar at Barrett-Jackson auction

The muscle-bound favorite of enthusiasts and boulevard cruisers everywhere, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, returned in force at the Barrett-Jackson Orange County Collector Car Auction, June 25-27.

The top seller at the event was an SS 454 LS6 convertible, which sold for $253,000. That was closely followed by an SS custom coupe, which went for $250,000.

All proceeds from the coupe, called the Project American Heroes Chevelle, will benefit the Armed Forces Foundation.

Steve Davis, the president of Barrett-Jackson, said bidders preferred classic, restomods and customs that were road-ready.

“It's not surprising that those types of vehicles would be in such demand since Southern California is the birthplace of hot-rodding,” Davis said.

After selling nearly 400 vehicles, the auction company posted $15 million in total sales.

Other top sales included a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner custom two-door hardtop ($187,000), a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible ($181,500) and a 1940 Willys custom two-door coupe ($181,500). All prices include a 10 percent buyer's premium.

The event was Barrett-Jackson's first in car-crazy Southern California in at least four years. And according to Davis, it won't be the last.

By Izzi Bendall