The Chevelle SS 396 became one of the most popular mid-size muscle cars in the 1960s. Demand was enough to warrant the car’s promotion to series status in 1966. About 63,000 of the hot rods were produced in 1967, yet only 867 were built for sale in Canada. The seller’s SS 396 is one of them and its numbers match with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic, making it even rarer. However, the car has been off the road for over 30 years and needs a complete restoration.
These first-generation Chevelles were reskinned in 1966, adding a “tunnel back” roofline that the Dodge Charger would emulate in 1968. The 1967 Chevelle Super Sport (SS) 396’s engine had a rated output of 325 hp and could be tuned higher (and would be in later years). Except for 3,300 convertibles, all 1967 SS 396s were 2-door hardtops like the seller’s car. But only a few hundred were designated for sale north of the U.S. border.
The VIN for this Chevelle identifies that its final assembly point was in Framingham, Massachusetts. Unlike most SS 396 editions that came with either a TH-400 automatic or a 4-speed, this one has Chevy’s venerable Powerglide. The seller bought the car to do a restomod but changed his/her mind and the engine and tranny are still in the car, though the motor is stuck.
While this machine is said to be unmolested, time and Mother Nature have taken their toll. The black vinyl top and matching bucket seat interior may be okay, the body has issues. That includes corrosion in the floors, trunk, and rear quarter panels. Located in a garage in Windsor, New York, this Chevy is available here on eBay. The opening bid of $15,000 has yet to be cast, there is a reserve, and the Buy It Now is $25,000. Will this car with possibly just 34,000 miles get sold? BTW, thanks for another interesting tip, Mitchell G.!
I was aware that there were big block powerglide cars because I know someone that has one. For the life of me I can’t understand why anyone would want that over the other options that were offered
Amen. My aunt hs def down her 1959 Chevy with the suck 2-speed PG and it was a bummer to drive. On the positive side, it never failed to get me from A to B.
I actually had a 1967 Corvette Coup with a 427 power glide.
In 66 a Powerglide was the only auto offered. My good friend bought one new and promptly swapped it out to a turbo 400.
Cheap to build/simple construction/insanely reliable(espec with a 6 cyl in a lighter nova or camaro)/least internally power robbing of all auto transes/still popular at the dragstrip/carry it around under your arm.
Over the years I have seen several big block powerglide cars. Maybe they were the standard trans. Most likely the 3 speed stick was the standard trans with the powerglide being the cheapest upgrade
Any ad with a car sitting on a lift that doesn’t have pictures of the undercarriage is a giant red flag. That was not an accidental omission. The BIN of $25,000 for this car is too much, the market is clearly softening, now is the time for potential buyers to be selective.
Steve R
Apologies if this posts twice. I posted it once and it disappeared, so trying again now —
The one of 867 claim is totally inapplicable to this car. The last picture in the ad is a screen shot of an AI generated blurb that is referring only to the number of 1967 SS396’s built at the Oshawa Canada plant. This car was built in Framingham Mass. See the FRA on the trim tag, and the G in the VIN number posted in the ad. The 867 figure has nothing to do with how many US-built cars were shipped to and sold in Canada. Further, the ad does not even say the car was sold new in Canada, or that it was found in Canada. It says it was found in Massachusetts. Odds are it has been in Massachusetts its entire life.
There were 122,519 Chevelles built at Framingham (of all body styles) in the 1967 model year. There is no way to know how many of those were SS coupes. There were 59,685 SS coupes built in all US plants in the 1967 model year. And there were 6,254 SS’s (total of coupes and convertibles) built in the US with a powerglide transmission behind the base 396/325 engine (which is what this one looks like based on the air cleaner and the valve cover appendages, assuming they are original).
So this car is 1 of 122,519, and 1 of 59,685, and 1 of 6,254. The number 867 has nada to do with this car.
This is a great example of why people like the seller should not be foolish and believe whatever AI generates in response to a question. Or worse yet be lazy and not bother to actually read what the AI generated response actually says, which the seller here obviously did not do.
Thank you for sharing.
Steve R
Rough as a cob, frozen motor, and a powerglide car to boot. This thing is so overpriced that I would be willing to bet that it isn’t even worth trying to convince the seller that he or she are delusional. Too bad to, I’m a big fan of ’67 SS396s.
Have we seen this one before ?