As the mid-size muscle car market unfolded in the 1960s, the Chevy Chevelle SS 396 became an icon. From 1966 to 1968, the car was a designated series of its own, body code 13837 for the Sport Coupe version. The seller’s beautifully restored ’68 is such a car, but it was oddly redone with a 350 cubic inch V8 instead of the legendary 396. Located in Wentzville, Missouri, this white over burgundy beauty needs nothing but a new home (and a period-correct big block). It’s available here on eBay for $42,500 (the seller will ship it for free at that price – continental U.S., that is).
When you ordered a SS 396 in 1968, you had three versions of the engine to choose from: L35/325 hp, L34/350 hp, or L78/375 hp. We don’t know which variation was installed in this Chevy at the factory, but the former likely attracted the greatest number of buyers out of 55,000 installations. This hot car has a 4-speed manual transmission (Muncie?), a 12-bolt rear end, and Posi-Traction. We’re told the auto has a miraculous 11,000 miles, but we’re betting the odometer was reset to zero when the vehicle received a rotisserie restoration.
That begs this question: why go to all the trouble and expense of a rotisseries and not use the original 396 V8, or at least one that is period-correct? Surely, saving gasoline wasn’t the reason for this decision. I would think this reduces the resale value of the car, even though the work appears to have been painstakingly done. At least it runs and drives as good as it looks.
The seller has owned the car for two years and usually just takes it out on the weekend. While the listing says the paint is red, it’s clearly burgundy or some similar color with a white top and black interior. Since the cowl tag isn’t represented, we don’t know if any of the colors were changed during the metamorphosis. We’re told the machine is rust-free, but was that before or after all the work? For reasons unclear, the seller mentions another ’68 that also appears in several photos. Does this have anything to do with the sale of this car?
Nothing in the ad says the car originally had a 396. You could get the SS trim package with any motor Chevy offered. After reading that ad I’d want a close look at the trim tag and any other documentation before I would even be sure it’s a true SS. 🤷🏽♂️
Unless I missed something, the only thing the ad says is “It just needs a big block.” No claim that it is or ever was a 396. Therefore, as Cooter says, decoding the Trim Tag is a must.
It looks a nice car, and I wouldn’t mind driving it. But not at that price. I’m sure the seller laid out more than the ask to get it in that condition, but as a veteran of spending more than a car’s worth to get it shined up, I know what you spend is not always what it’s worth.
The VIN the seller provides decodes as an SS 396. Also, the 396 emblem is on the front fenders.
Well, okay then. Glad you checked that out, Russ!
I wouldn’t put much credence on badges, but if GM says it’s a SS 396, I’d say that’s what needs to be bolted back in.
The swap also tells me the price is WAY too high.
The VIN does indicate this is a true SS396. In 1968 the SS396 was a 13800 series model. There was no SS option that year. Documents dated September 1967 state the 396 engines were exclusive to the SS396 submodels.
Wonder why it was swapped to a 350. With all that work I would have added power brakes.
Small block swap is cheap and easy.