Well, based on the body tag and VIN, this is a genuine 1966 SS396 Chevelle. And that’s good to know because when a car is disorganized, with additional misc pieces included, it’s not always obvious what you might be getting. One definite thing however is that this SS396 no longer has the 396 part – how unfortunate! Built in California and starting its motoring life in Hawaii, this unmotivated convertible muscle car now claims Payson, Utah as its hometown where it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of  $6,400 with the reserve not yet met.

Chevrolet turned out about 72K SS396 Chevelles in what would be its first year of production (there were 201 produced in ’65 but they were a sort of warm-up act for the big ’66 show). Of that total, only 5,429 were convertibles so while I wouldn’t call this car rare, it’s not that common either. What’s here isn’t in too good a condition. In particular, the Dutchman panel and the top portion of both quarter panels are greatly diminished. There are additional dents and rust in other areas too, and while not said, one has to wonder about the integrity of the underside. The seller adds, “Car needs rust repair but most of them do. I know it needs trunk and would suspect floor pans“. There is an extra front clip and doors included in the sale but it’s hard to tell if they’re any better than what’s attached.

The original engine would have been a 396 CI V8 of either 325 or 360 gross HP (there was a 375 HP unit too but they are rare with approximately 3,000 copies being produced and none with an automatic transmission). As to which powerplant was fitted under its hood at the Fremont, CA assembly plant is not disclosed. The seller does have a 1966 vintage block and heads that are part of the sale but that’s barely a start. Original equipment included a Powerglide automatic transmission (the cooling lines are visible under the hood) but that too is gone and it would be best if it’s replaced with something else (a two-speed doesn’t cut it in a car like this).

There aren’t any pictures of the interior, other than this seemingly pointless one of the dashboard, though the seller mentions, “Console original console shifter is there and I have a pair of factory power seats in marina blue, cars interior color, that need covers but in good shape. I don’t believe these to be original to the car but they are hard to find and not cheap“. I have to admit that I’ve never encountered a power seat in this generation of Chevelle. The ’66 sales brochure states that it was an available option for the driver’s bucket seat of a full-width bench. Anyway, I would assume the lack of disclosure points to a very troubled interior environment. It is said that the rear seat is in place which is good news because the convertible version is, as the listing states, difficult to find.

Verdict? In spite of this car’s authenticity, and the nutso market value of a restored example, this one has a very long way to go – it’s what we can’t see here that would have me concerned and it’s likely to be a $$$ furnace. I’d suggest that those who might be interested in a mid-sixties Chevelle shop for a better example. But then again, maybe I have it wrong, what’s your thought?