It happens occasionally. An owner will be dissatisfied with the performance offered by an original classic. They will choose to upgrade its drivetrain, causing heart palpitations for purists. That has been the fate of this 1967 Chevelle SS 396. However, all is not lost. The owner has retained the original big-block on a stand and includes it in the sale. If you fancy the idea of grabbing this SS and returning it to its factory best, you will find it located in Antioch, Illinois, and listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has hit $30,400, although this remains short of the reserve.

It would be difficult to ever describe a 1967 Chevelle SS as unattractive, but the combination of Bolero Red paint and a Black vinyl top make a bold and positive statement with this classic. It presents beautifully, with no significant issues with either the panels or paint. It shines, the gaps look consistent, and the vinyl is in as-new condition. So far, so good. The seller indicates that the car represents an older restoration and has had some rust in the past. There is a patched spot on the passenger side front floor and what appears to be surface corrosion on the inside of the trunk pan. It may have penetrated in one small spot, but it appears repairable with a patch rather than being the catalyst for wholesale trunk pan replacement. The chrome and glass look good, and while the wheels aren’t original, they are period-correct for a vehicle of this type and age.

I’m unsure whether I’m getting fussy in my old age, but this shot drives me to distraction. The interior presents well, but I can’t understand why someone would list a desirable car like this and leave visible dirt and mud on the carpet heel pad and the gas pedal. They detract from what is a tidy interior and should stand as a lesson for any other potential sellers in what not to do. With my rant over, let’s assess the condition of this interior. Trimmed in Black vinyl, it presents well. The upholstered surfaces appear spotless, as do the dash, pad, carpet, and console. The armrests on both doors show signs of age, but with complete replacements easy to find for $60 each, that is a cheap fix. Someone has fitted a column-mounted tach and some gauges under the dash, but these are probably sensible additions when considering what resides under the hood. It appears that the original AM radio is intact, and while the seller indicates that it is a factory A/C car, it looks like most of the hardware is missing under the hood.

When is a numbers-matching SS 396 not a numbers-matching SS 396? The answer is when it is our feature car. Lifting the hood reveals a 454ci Crate Motor that pumps out a claimed 440hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque. It appears that the remaining mechanical components are original, including the four-speed manual transmission, 12-bolt Posi rear end, and power steering. Determining performance figures in a case like this can be difficult, but I can’t see why a 13-second ¼-mile ET wouldn’t be within this car’s grasp. The owner indicates that the Chevelle runs and drives well, and under normal circumstances, that would be the end of the story. However, there is more for potential buyers to consider. The loss of the original motor may seem a disaster for purists and collectors, but all isn’t as it seems. The owner has the numbers-matching 396 sitting on a stand, and he includes this in the sale. That will leave the buyer to choose whether to leave the car untouched or reinstate its number-matching status.

I’m not surprised that this 1967 Chevelle SS 396 has already received twenty-one bids because these remain one of the most desirable and highly-sought muscle cars in today’s market. Typically, the engine upgrades would undermine its potential value, but the seller’s decision to retain the original motor should prove a blessing. Given its overall condition, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the bidding pass $35,000 before hitting the reserve. If you bought this Chevelle, would you slot the original big-block under the hood or protect it as a future investment by squirreling away that 396 for a later date? It will be interesting to gauge reader feedback on that question.