One of the hottest autos during the heyday of the muscle car era was the Chevelle SS 396. You could also get an SS 350 or SS 454 in 1970-72. Beginning in 1970, the displacement of 396 cubic inches was changed slightly to 402. The seller refers to this car as an SS 406, which needs further clarification if this is the real deal car that it’s portrayed as. Located in Camarillo, California, this cosmetically refreshed Super Sport is available here on eBay where the reserve is untested at a bid of $31,300.
From 1966 to 1968, the Chevelle SS 396 was a series of its own. From 1969 forward, it reverted to option status on the Malibu, but you could surmise if the car was one by the inclusion of the engine code in the VIN. The number the seller provides indicates an LS3 402 was in this car when it was built. So is the mention of a 406 a mistake in the listing or is this somehow a different or modified motor (no mention is made of this or if the Chevy’s numbers matching?).
The seller does say this Chevelle comes with loads of documentation which includes a feature article in a 2007 copy of Muscle Car Magazine. Besides that, the included materials are said to include the original ID tag, order books, MSRP, and a lot of maintenance docs. This machine has recently had the odometer flip over, so the mileage is just north of 100,000.
Besides a big engine, this Chevelle has a 4-speed manual transmission. The car is said to be in excellent running condition and no mention is made of any work having been done or needed. It’s a fully loaded automobile with bucket seats and a console, AM/FM stereo, factory air conditioning, and power steering and brakes. The gold paint was refinished in 1979 and perhaps the interior was, too.
Gorgeous car. Yes, the “406” needs an explanation as does Nv. plate on a Ca. car. Too, curious if the engine etc is original. Regardless, this would be a good one to drive occasionally ($4.22 for premium, minimum $1.75 @ cheaper than most places in California-a 20 minute drive)-I wouldn’t push it outta my driveway!!!
That caught my eye also, kept in California with a Nevada plates ?
Agreed on beauty of this one. Nevada plate on a CA car indicates to me tax savings on registration costs. I wouldn’t be surprised if this car is owned under a corporate umbrella to enable above.
A 402 when bored .030 over makes it into a 408.
That’s what I was thinking. Somebody may be trying to convey a rebuild and overbore. Or, it’s a typo.
Probably a typo, never heard of a chevrolet 406. The only 406 was a Ford
As similar as the ’68-’72 Chevelles are they all seem very distinctive. Although almost identical to the ’71 I think the ’72 looks a bit tougher. Had the ’69 strike not prevailed these would have been a colonnade. A beautiful SS with good options in a nice color combination.
I believe 400 cu. in. bored 0.30 over becomes 406.
Chevy’s 400 cu in motor is a small block, this is a big block…
There is also a small block 400. I’ve built several for racing.
Four-speed is a pleasant surprise 😮 🏁
406 is a 400 block 30 over.
I always liked the rear bumpers on the 71-72 models over the ’70. I like the 70 nose dual headlight better than the 71-72 solo. Soooo, like the Harleys I have, IF I had a ’70 , I’d have to throw on a ’71 rear bumber & watch the purists go nuts lol! Well that just made it easy for me, scrap that #’s matching ideology & just BUILD what ‘I’ want instead! Think it (round lights) just looks more ‘classic chevy’ than the ’70 end squares.