Normally, I wouldn’t cover a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 (and I used to own one like this!). They, like certain Mopars, are just over-covered, there’s nothing new under the sun that can be said about them. It would take a characteristic of some sort that makes the car a standout to be worthy of review. And in this case, there is an interesting facet, this feature car is one of the few that were built at the Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to see if there is anything markedly different between this car and a domestically assembled example – thus this review. Located in Durand, Michigan this Chevy rag-top is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $22,500.
According to Chevelle Stuff, Chevrolet built 403,000 A-bodies, of all body styles and trim levels, in ’67. The five primary assembly plants were Atlanta, Baltimore, Framingham (MA), Fremont (CA), and Kansas City. Of that total, about 19K were built at plant “1” which translates into Oshawa, Ontario. The total SS396 population weighed in at about 63K units and the Chevelle Stuff website estimates that only 867 SS editions originated in Canada. They base their research on Vintage Vehicle Services documentation.
Actually, there’s more to this car than just its place or origin. It has some problems and the seller tells us, “The Chevelle will need: A New truck floor, New Floor Pan, and Front Cowl. This Chevelle was from the East Coast-New Jersey and the Frame is rusted. I have a complete Factory Boxed frame I bought from California that is included” Ouch! That said, the quarters, which provide an appropriate challenge to replace, are said to be sound but the image of the passenger side tells a different story. There’s also a replacement driver’s side fender included in the sale. There is mention too, of a collection of trim parts and badging that are included as well. The convertible top is the optional power-activated version but it’s not said if it is operational. Regarding its condition, it looks basically OK though the stitching around the rear window appears to be letting loose. One last item and that’s the grille – it’s from a Malibu, you can tell by the two remaining rivets that at one time held the plastic Chevrolet crest in place, something a true SS396 would not have had.
It is said that this car runs and drives but it does it with a non-original 396 CI V8 engine, the one installed is a 1968 vintage. It’s not stated whether it started life as a 325 or a 350 HP version, and it likely doesn’t matter as it has been modified with an aluminum intake manifold and a Holley carburetor (and the valve covers have been reversed). Other replacements include a new fuel tank. Gear changes are handled by a four-speed manual gearbox and it appears that the original Muncie shifter has been replaced with a non-OEM piece.
The black vinyl bucket seat interior is in fair shape. The seats will need some upholstery work and the door panels and armrests are in rough shape – easy enough stuff to replace. As one would expect, there’s no carpet in place, likely owing to the deteriorated floor. A close-up of the console reveals blue scratches so it has probably been repainted black – seems unusual.
There you have it. So, any big differences between this north-of-the-border example and a domestically sourced model 138? Not that I can tell – other than the trim tag. As to whether that’s a value enhancer or not, I’d have a tough time imagining so but you never know with a GM A-Body from this era, the trading values often border on non-sensical. This car, unfortunately, has enough other problems besides worrying about its nationality, and that’s probably the reason that there hasn’t been an opening bid tendered, wouldn’t you agree?
Serious question for Chevelle experts: Why isn’t this Canadian SS396 labeled a “Sport Deluxe”? Did that start with the 1967 models?
The “Sport Deluxe” moniker was used on the Beaumonts (which were a different make and model, but were comprised of Chevelle sheet metal, a mix of Chevelle and Pontiac interior, and special grills, taillights and trim. “Sport Deluxe” was not used on the Canadian Chevelles.
Pontiacs version
Too much rust for too much money. If this was a true exotic, maybe but a cliche Chevelle 396? even if it was made in Antartctica I’d say “no thanks”
Super rare car, but super rough. And I suspect it would be a lot worse than meets the eye once you got all the paint off. It has been on eBay by 3 different Sellers in the last 6 or 8 months, each time asking for more money. I suspect each buyer got excited by the rarity, then deflated by the condition when they got it home and inspected it. With the original drivetrain gone, and all that rust, price needs to be cut in half to make it worth the effort.
A nice thing about the Canadian built Chevelles is the additional info on the bottom line of the trim tag. This car’s trim tag shows it originally came with a bright blue bench seat interior (723), a TH400 (Turbohydramatic) trans (M40)(which would have been column shifted since it was a bench seat car), and a power top (C06).
And according to one of the Canucks who is very knowledgeable on Canadian-built Chevelles, the T-12 code means the convertible top was originally blue. So it was a “triple blue” car.
That explains the console. It was poached from a blue interior car and then painted black.
Thx,
JO
Super rare if it was a stick. Oui! Oui!
I had a 67 with 386 and it was a great runner, most folks couldn’t believe there was from the factory ss384, bench seat, and most importantly 3 speed automatic.. it did killer hole shots and was a great sleeper has had cam and lifters replaced with performance cam and solid lifters…
Not super rare IMO
i dont see the cowl tag but if it is a CDN 138 car as it appears to be then its a late build 67 which was common
Super Rare are the early build Canadian 67 136 cars with A51 option making it a Malibu SS with L34 396 those are Super rare
They are the ones with cosmetic differences grom the 138 bersions
Flat hood , body color trunk , no SS 396 badges on grille or tail panel etcetc
Cowl tag attached.
JO
Yep a later build CDN 138 car M40 is nice option
I had a 67 Malibu so that’s my point of view. Anyone else thing it may have had front end damage and a Malibu front clip put on it? It also looks to me like the GM Canada tag has been altered. If it has then what else might have?
I’ve looked at the photo if the body plate a couple of times. What makes you think it’s been altered?
Well; to REALLY stand out as a different car compared to its US sibling it should’ve rather been a pre Jan 1st 1967 version with one of the ‘lesser’ engines.
This being a late production it’s pretty much the same as a US SS396 whereas up to January ’67 GM of Canada sold these as the Malibu SS with any engine available from the smallest I-6 up to the 396. It neither had the domed hood nor blacked out grill/ rear cove panel. So up to that point the SS package was for the Canuck customer pretty much a bucket seat/apperance package more than a performance package, similar to the US practice prior to the SS396 moniker came along
http://chevellestuff.net/misc/cdn_chevelle_facts.htm
Actually the 396 base engine in the early Malibu SS was the L34 350hp no 325 hp like US cars and had all the performance upgrades as the US model F40 12bolt with extra upper braces etc 4 spd or M40
The trim was just different
Interesting, but not $23k interesting. Without original engine or transmission, it’s worth about half his asking price. It will take at least $20 K to get this car in decent condition, $30k to do it right, $40 to get it back to stock appearing. Hard pass.