You don’t have to study this project closely to tell that it’s going to be a huge project to undertake. That being said, this is a genuine Chevelle SS396 and it’s being offered for just $5,000, possibly cheaper! It’s missing some major components, but it has a clean title and the VIN and trim tag are present. So, if you’ve been on the hunt for a first-generation Chevelle SS396 to restore or modify, this one can be found here on eBay in Wylie, Texas.
The Chevelle SS396 was an absolute beast when it debuted in ’65. Those early Z-16 cars are worth serious money these days, but they also only built 201 of them. By ’67, the Chevelle’s body was restyled a bit and more SS396s were being built and sold. As a result, these later cars aren’t worth nearly as much, but they are still very desirable. The seller notes that this example is a code K car, meaning it was built at the Kansas City plant (the same plant the Z-16 cars were built at), and that the VIN includes the all-important 13817 code that signifies this is a genuine SS396.
This car has one huge issue and that’s rust. Not only are the floors about gone, but the exterior has a lot of issues and even the engine block is rusty. At least it has an engine though! It’s not complete, but more often than not, finds like this are missing their engine. There’s no word on the casting numbers, so we don’t know if it’s an L34, L35 or L78. We do know that it’s mounted to an automatic transmission.
Restoring this muscle car will be a major undertaking, but it sure would be amazing once done! The black on black color combo is my personal favorite for first-gen Chevelles, of course, that’s subjective. The rust issues are definitely a problem, but you can buy every panel to fix this one. It just comes down to expense and whether you have the time and skill to fix it yourself. I won’t lie, this one is tempting me to fire up the welder and grinder, but how about you?
If this is tempting you to fire up the welder and grinder I can only hope that you’ve got several cases of Snickers bars because you’re not going anywhere for a while…
Haha, I’m sure I’d need more than just a few cases of Snickers bars to get this one done! I’d probably need a half dozen tetanus shots too, but it would totally be worth it.
I have 3 of these cars that are strictly parts cars, and they’re in WAAAAAAAY better shape than this thing. They are 138 cars, and are rollers too…,with 12 bolts still in them! Guess I better put a couple on eBay and get an extra 10k or more. Wow!
You probably should! This one is getting a ton of views on eBay, so clearly people are interested.
Even the engine pan is rusted out!!!
Thank you Josh! I needed a good laugh today.
CORRECTION…..this project car is ANYTHING BUT CHEAP !!! How about MONEY PIT !! HOW ABOUT $100,000+ for a car worth about 1/3 of that when done.
By the way, the $100K was generous…..meaning it will probably take MORE than that!!!!!
These cars bring big bucks when properly restored. I just saw one on Netflix rust city.
Guy flew in with a helicopter to buy it.
God bless America
Yeah well.he wont be flying any helicopters after paying to put this VIN back together.
I’m glad my body can’t do this anymore. I restored a ’66 SS396 30 yrs ago and vowed never to do one agsin. I kept my promise!
This has more holes than a typical strainer.
Second generation .
Being sold by Collins brothers Jeep in Texas!! A $500 car that’s being offered for $5000!!! I don’t even know if there’s $500 worth of good parts left on this car!! Even the emblems are damaged!!! I’ve only done one other car before that I had to skim coat the whole car with bondo due to the pitting in the metal!! This is surely a car I wouldn’t touch!! Like throwing 5k away!!!
138 code stands for v-8 not SS car.Do your homework.
Wrong. The “138” vin code to denote a SS car is correct through the 1968 models, then in 1969 everything changed. The only way to tell if you have a true Super Sport in 69 and up models is with documentation.
If this is a big block car, why is there a small block in it, just asking.
But common it is a chevvelle. Had a conversation with another fella on 442 facebook. He was bashing a guy that was trying to sell his rusty bucket 68 442. He was asking something along the lines of 2200 hundred. Guys was complaining it was a 500 dollar car all day. I sayed that the days of 500 dollar muscle cars are gone. Called me raper for paying out 5000 for my 65 442 clone. Her is my example. To get any kind of muscle today you have cough up the cash.
Judging from the condition, I’d say this car has been sitting in a junkyard for 45 years before it was hauled out.
“Project” is an understatement
Pile of a Texas cow dung. I have plenty of NOS for this car. Not wasting it on this heap. You better have plenty of free time and a suitcase of Ben Franklins to make this pic pretty. Just tellin the truth.