The popular Chevelle SS 396 became a series of its own in 1966 and would continue to sell well. 72,000 of them were built that year followed by 63,000 more in 1967 before they were redesigned. Based on the Malibu sport coupe and convertible, these mid-size cars were screamers, with up to 375 horsepower being directed to the rear wheels. This ‘67 edition wears all of its original sheet metal and paint but has had upgrades in both the interior and under the hood. A 454 Chevy big-block does all the heavy lifting now. Located in King, North Carolina, this car has been bid to $29,500 here on eBay where there is no reserve.
After compact-sized automobiles were introduced in the late 1950s along with the full-size cars getting bigger, a mid-size market opened up in the early 1960s. Ford got there first in 1962 with the downsized Fairlane, and Chevy followed suit in 1964 with the Chevelle. The first generation would run through 1967 and would include the promote of the SS 396. They used reinforced Malibu frames and front suspensions to handle the extra horses and torque of the big 396 V8. Output choices ranged from 325 to 350 and 375 hp depending on carburetion set-up and compression ratio. The SS 396 would revert back to option status in 1969.
The 1966-67 models would see a restyle of the same platform used in 1964-65. The coupes would gain a fastback look with the new tunnel treatment of the back glass. The seller’s 1967 edition is said to be 95% rust-free and wearing its original finish. Unfortunately, the photos supplied by the seller run from blurry to very blurry, so the main color could be green, blue or turquoise, which would be my guess and the best-looking of the three. This is a three-owner car that was built in Georgia and stayed there for some time. The paint is quite faded and could really use a new coat, while the black vinyl top is said to be new.
There have some changes in the interior of this car, where the original bench seat was changed out for period correct buckets seats with a console for the automatic transmission shifter. From what we can tell, everything there is in good shape and will require no further attention. This was a factory A/C car, but the hardware was removed with the switch to the 454. The seller says he has some of those components if that buyer wants to go that route.
We’re told that the motor comes with electronic ignition and the build took place only 2,000 miles ago. It’s not clear if the engine was built to stock specifications or had some modification in the process, but these engines were known to be capable of one horse per cubic inch. The seller has had the car for about a year, says it runs great and used it mainly on the weekends. He would consider trading for a C2 Corvette, but as a coupe, not a convertible.
The SS 396, at sales of 63,000 units in 1967, would be one out of every Chevelle’s to roll off the assembly line. NADA says the low resale on these cars is $27,000 with a high of $68,000. But that doesn’t consider a bigger motor, which may or may not impact its value. Slap a new paint job on this baby and you could have quite the Saturday night cruiser (as long as you have enough gas money!).
Great ride with fuzzy-wuzzy photos!
I thought my cataracts were coming back lol.
Too many fingerprints on the smartphone lens. Nobody thinks of cleaning it.
Good looking car which at one time would have been a legitimate sleeper,,,, the color of it for one thing, the original bench seat, and most of all those wheels…all hiding a built 454. Nowadays that look is a caution sign on early muscle cars, one would expect a 427/454 at the very least. I like it as it sits.
‘67 is my favorite year for Chevelle styling—it really was the finest version of the original body style and it wears the vinyl roof so nicely. I could do without those giant bumper guards —are those the original style or some aftermarket add-on?
I agree with you. My buddy had a 68 but I really prefer this styling as I do the Buicks, especially my favorite, a 67 Buick California Gran Sport. Styling was slick and clean.
In 1967 front bumper guards were available for ALL Chevelles. The retail price was $12.65. Option code V31. Rear bumper guards were also offered for the same price.
Weird one – Gee, it’d go fast
First I thought my glasses were fogged up. I give it an A for content and a D for the photos
There’s too much engine for the frame. The last auction image shows what happens when a frame twists under load.
Before digital cameras, we used to smear Vaseline around the edges of the lens to get the exact effect seen in these photos. Works much better on pretty girls. Probably a way to do it digitally now.
We had a 67 Chevelle 327 four speed with bucket seats and optional front disc brakes. It was not an SS. Probably a very unique car.
I went into the Navy after High School and left this with my girlfriend. I got out of Squirrel Island and found out she was racing it on the 210 in SFV (before t was opened). I sucked a valve in Tucumcari NM crossing the Nation on a drive. Missed it eve since
Typical mistakes. Take a nice car(automatic & A/C) and try to turn it into a hot rod and ruin it in the process. All considered, he’s asking twice what it’s really worth, considering it’s hacked up with the wrong engine and other deficiencies. A hard pass.
Looks like they stuffed a big block and an SS hood and badges on a VIN 136 car. Still cool. Would love to have a 136 car with a small block 427.
Those front and rear bumpers guards usually showed up on factory Malibu’s with a six cylinders or 307s to boost the list price up.
The bumper guards front and rear were options on the 1970 Chevelles. I think I read that they couldn’t be ordered with the SS396 or 454 package. Maybe someone has seem them on a 1970 SS 396-454 Chevelle, but I haven’t.
SOLD for $29,700.