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. 🤷🏽♂️
According to the seller’s info, the car has a 138378K177640 vin, which means it would have come from the factory with a 396.
I’m not sure I understand the SS trim comment with any motor. This car is a true SS396 car, with the 138 VIN prefix, with distinctive side striping, grille, fender, and rear tail panel 396 emblems. The dual hump style hood is also exclusive to the 396 cars in 1968 and 1969. In 1970 the only engines were the 396 (402) and the 454. In 1971/2 you could order a SS with a 350, 402 or the 454.
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.
Was there not an SS emblem on the rear of the car on 68 Chevelle SS, above the bumper? Interesting bench seat combination??
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.
If I were sticking a small block in it I’d go with a 383 stroker. Just as much fun as a 396 only smaller and lighter.
I had a 1967 SS396 gold, gold interior and black vinyl top and SS Cragars. It was the father in laws car. He bought it with the blown up 396, 4.10 possi. He then scavanged the 300 horse 327 out of his rusted out ’61 or ”62 Impala. When he bought the Chevelle it already had a little back end up attitude. So when the small block was installed it sat level. I had the car for a year or so and then sold it to a buddy that really got into the carburetor (quadrajet) and ignition. It actually turned out pretty fast. He never lost a drag race with the car He had tons of fun with that car until a red light runner earned a “T” bone from the Chevelle at about 50 mph.
A non-original SS”396″ without the 396. It probably drives well, and looks great. But not $42k great.
‘Beautifully’ restored? Look at the underside of the car. More like a Krylon, (restoration in a can) restoration. Steering wheel worn/cracked. Drivers’ door jamb appears to be scratched from ill-fitting door alignment. Missing rubber seals on quarter glass in door jamb……
No radiator overflow and the windshield washers aren’t hooked up either.
Steve R
real 138 car at least it has that going for it.42k needing a period b/b. no way. front bumper looks twisted and needs a better set of wheels. very nice color. dark window tint looks out of place on these older cars to me
Let’s a call these the “mid 5 digit cars”.
The owners fantasize that their conglomeration somehow represents an original-condition, numbers matching ground pounder. Those can possibly get $50k at a TV auction under the right circumstances.
Decent drivers (and that’s all this is, after they whacked the engine) are not selling in the $40k to $60k range.
Invariably, these cars are pretty faces with all manner of “make do” to get it back in shape. Interior parts from other models, wrong trim, wrong engine, wrong drivetrain, on and on.
These are just casual cruise-in drivers, and probably trade for $10k, once the seller gets over their own fanboy fantasies.
This one deserves the negative knocks it’s getting starting with the price. It’s a nice car that’s for sure but not a $42K car.
Something just not right here. Super Sport gauges are missing, no tach or at least a barrel tach between the two large gauges
Could it be a VIN transplant?
68 Chevelle SS, not all had tachs. My 68 138 car was not produced with a tach in the dash…However, I did not notice SS on the back of the car either??
Not supposed to be there, the 67 impala has it, I had a true 67 SS had to get rid of it cuz mom passed away my older sister moved in after her divorce kept complaining about it just sitting on the property, but it went to good hands for 1,500gs my neighbor, certified ASE mechanic, his nephew bought it, last I heard, there was a complete frame off restoration taking place
Bench seat, no AC, drum brakes, no power steering, no power brakes, original engine gone, worth half the asking price at best.
Why aren’t there any SS badges on the rear or front fender, heck I don’t see any at all
Google shows all the correct emblems, on the front fenders and an SS on the grill,nice ride, can’t understand why the bench seat, still a nice ride, maybe a bit too high on price, but these boys are fading away too quickly
To the best of my knowledge the 1968 SS Chevelle only came with a 396, either 325, 350 or 375 HP. I owned a 68 SS 396 convertible in the 70s with no Power steering or Power Brakes…
I also own a 68 convertible 396/M22 chevelle ss 138 vin. There were only 2200 that were built, I’ve been told by a professional appraiser there may only be a dozen left.
Jerry: maybe 12 left in Rhode Island, the smallest state! This appraiser is wrong, on eBay, most of the time, there is a different 68 138 almost every week, for the last 20 years I’ve seen them, this adds up to almost a thousand just for sale on one website. I have to say that many guys in my car club have told me stories about car appraisers they had to use for insurance value verification & they said most of these fellows talked their credentials up but were fairly ignorant of the cars they had to appraise.
Me, I’m talking about SS convertibles, only 2200 of them were built. Hardtops are plenty.
Me, I’m talking about 68 SS convertibles, only 2286 were built. Rare. Hardtops are a dime a dozen.