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1966 Chevelle SS 396: Big Block Project

1966 Chevelle SS 396

It’s hard to tell from these poorly taken photos, but this is a claimed to be a real Chevelle SS 396 convertible with a 4 speed. Like many barn finds, it ended up in the barn as a project that stalled and was never finished. Chevelle Convertibles with big block engines are quite rare and valuable, but I don’t think I would spend much on this one. It has a correct 396 V8 and transmission, but they aren’t original to the car and years of being parked in this barn has left the body rust. The seller does have a lot of included parts, including a nice interior. While having a lot of extra parts is always a major plus, there is a lot of rust to repair. And even after fixing the rust, you still have to paint it and put it all back together. This won’t be a simple project, but it could be a good way to get into a Chevelle SS 396! If you think you would like to take on this project, you can find it here on eBay in Hubertus, Wisconsin with bidding just over $2,500! So would you tackle this project? Special thanks to Jim S for this tip!

Comments

  1. Avatar JW

    If it doesn’t go above $3500 and you already have a decent Chevelle SS to start with you could always purchase it just for the parts / motor / trans. Otherwise I wouldn’t touch it.

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  2. Avatar JW454

    The frame is gone and the floors are rusted out… I’d be real careful moving this one. We moved a ’57 Chevrolet convertible in the same condition and it broke into two pieces. It doesn’t take much for them to come apart.
    On the up side, the ’57 is back on the road and you wouldn’t know it was ever torn apart. After a new frame and sheet metal work it now looks like new.

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  3. Avatar Chris A.

    I’m a bit confused regarding the frame issues. Weren’t the Chevelle/Malibu series built on a uni-body with a stub subframe to the front or did it have a complete chassis frame? With a rotted out tub or chassis frae I can see where you’d have major problems both ways.

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    • Avatar JW454

      Chris This car had a full frame. It don’t look like much of it is left from the pictures though.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Alan (Michigan)

    I am a FAN of the ’69 SS Chevelles, ever since I first rode in one over 40 years ago. Wound up buying and owning that very car not too many months afterwards. I wish I had cleaned it up, dry stored it in a good location, and gotten it back out when I was mature enough to really appreciate what a great car it was.

    I sure would like another one. But there are so many other things to spend money on, and convertibles have never wowed me all that much. Make mine a coupe, with buckets, and the TH400 with console (horse-shoe) shifter.

    This one….wow, it looks to be pretty much gone. That new carpet might be shot from aging in the box, even if bugs/critters have not invaded and made homes there. Yep, a TON of work, and I guess I am too old to even consider taking it on. If I had the finances to pay someone else, I’d much rather have one that is already done!

    Like 0

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