It’s always interesting when a car is listed for sale and it generates a significant level of bidding. This 1966 Chevelle SS 396 is just such a car. Initially, it was listed with an opening bid of $500, but there have now been 56 bids submitted, and this has pushed the auction along to $14,200. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on eBay.

I’ve always liked the shape and style of this model Chevelle, and this is a car that also shows a lot of promise as a project car. The owner believes that all of the sheet-metal on the car is original. He also believes that the car was finished in dark blue, but it has had a couple of what he refers to as scruffy paint jobs in its life. The frame of the car is said to be solid, while rust appears to be confined to the front floors, the hood, and the filler panel behind the rear window. As far as I can tell from the photos, the rest of the body appears to be solid, but as the owner said, it is scruffy.

I also agree with the owner that the car must have looked pretty amazing in its original dark blue with this black interior. The Chevelle has spent a large percentage of its life in California, and this may have been what has taken a toll on the interior. It does appear to be complete, but the new owner is going to have a shopping list that will include new carpets, new seat covers, new dash pad, new headliner, and a few sundry trim items. Some components like the original floor console are present and seem to be in good condition.

It’s unfortunate that this isn’t a numbers-matching car, but the engine under the hood is a date correct 396ci V8. The owner also believes that the Chevelle was originally equipped with a Powerglide transmission, but it now sports a TH400 transmission. The car runs and drives, but it will need some work before it is ready to hit the road again. The owner has had the heads removed and these were given a valve job. Other items attended to include new wheel cylinders, a tune-up, and a new gas tank and sender have been fitted.

It’s unfortunate that this Chevelle isn’t a numbers-matching car, but it really isn’t the end of the world. While it’s true that it would potentially be worth more if it were, it is still a car that should command a pretty respectable price once restored. Even a nicely restored car with a date correct engine will today command prices of $40,000 or more, and this probably explains why bidding has been so strong on this car.