The 1964 model year brought a wave of intermediate or mid-size cars to General Motors. In Chevrolet’s case, it was the Chevelle, which was similar in size to the 1957 Chevy. The full-size models had gotten bigger over time, and the compacts had entered the scene in the early 1960s. The Chevelle would be quite popular, including the Super Sport, which became a series of its own in 1966 as the SS 396. This example became a show car in the 1970s with a custom paint job, fancy interior, and a 427 cubic inch V8. The car hasn’t run in years and will need some TLC to get back on the road. This Chevy is available here on craigslist in Hazelwood, North Carolina for $35,000. Thanks for the find on this one, Pat L!
Muscle cars were all the rage in the mid-1960s which motivated Chevrolet to promote the Chevelle SS 396 to a category all its own (it would revert to RPO status in 1969). With fresh new styling for 1966 (but using the original platform), the Bow-Tie folks would push 72,272 examples out the door, with 66,843 being Sport Coupes and the rest convertibles. Output for the next two years would settle in the 60,000-copy range.
This SS is a one-owner automobile that is quite a bit different than the day it left the dealer’s showroom. The original 396 engine is long gone, replaced by a 427, so it’s not a numbers-matching car. It has an automatic transmission that is column shifted, but was it swapped out when the engine was? The owner elected to customize the car, so the white paint and blue stripes are attractive (and not subtle) and appear to be in good condition with the only mentioned rust being on the bumpers.
In the 1970s and 1980s, this car made the rounds on the show circuit, although we don’t know exactly why. Besides the motor swap, body graphics, custom interior, and aftermarket wheels, no other mods seem to have been made. The car retired from showbiz in the 1990s and parked in running condition and has remained in the garage ever since. The seller feels certain that the buyer will need to go through the drivetrain before attempting to get the Chevelle back on the road. The odometer reading is just 21,000 miles and could be legit if the car were trailered everywhere. Would you continue down the same path with this car that the owner did or try something different?
Whoa. That’s some 80’s style right there. I say the 80’s because of the style of wheel. Early 80’s. Doesn’t mean car couldn’t have been painted and customized in the 70’s, and first started the show circuit with another period wheel. Would a set of Cragar SS (or ?) in chrome look better now? You bet!
The bench seat was standard in the SS in ’66. Usually with a four speed stick poking through the floor next to it.
I’m inclined to leave it as is, with the bumpers rechromed and the aforementioned chrome SS wheel. Refresh engine, and document everything you can if the owner is still alive, or interview the family. That first picture in the CL add would be blown up and diplayed with the car. Doesn’t mean a 700R4 , along with A/C and disc brakes couldn’t sneak it’s way under there for a Power Tour, either…
What an interesting piece of automotive history! Muscle > Custom > Relic – Repeat.
Ad states One owner, NUMBERS MATCHING. 396, automatic. I don’t get the 427 engine Russ mentioned? The no rust is a plus.
The original ad stated the car had a 427 installed for the show circuit. It also said that the original 396 would be included in the sale. Best way to know for sure is to contact the seller.
This is proof that we did horrible things to cars in our past !
This one isn’t soo bad , paint, wheels &interior needed but no flares or snow plow front to remove …
Needs a velvet Elvis under the trunk lid or hood.
Cheap SS went for power brakes and steering and that wonderful powerglide. No buckets, column shifter what a car, suppose dealer had that one on the lot. But is a low mileage SS, and looks straight, maybe classic wheels buff it up and unless it was beat on really hard 396 should be fine. Be a hoot at the cars and coffee crowd.
396/427???
That’s a 56 y/o who still thinks Forever 21 is still good for her.
Ugh! That interior is just awful…just like an old puffy show girl – in velvet…hurts the eyes. That spare tire cover kills me. Neat old car, but that paint job is the worst possible camouflage to cover what is usually a nice looking car with clean lines. That same car in Marina blue w/ black stock interior would be stunning. I guess not all show cars – or girls – age very well.
$35k for car that hasn’t run in years? If the owner wants that kind of money he should get it running first. While it looks nice, no telling what it will cost to get it running again. These guys want a fortune without working for it. For that kind of money he needs to own it a long while before it is worth that kind of money for a nonrunner. Too many nice cars for less that can actually be driven home. Wonder what he’s been smoking.
Talk about a deal! That is a 20 to 30 thousand dollar body all day long. Original engine, plus, an extra 427. I can’t understand why it is still on here. Maybe I just don’t know cars like I thought I did.
I remember in the mid 70s you could pick up 66 and 67 SS’s for $1,200 and $1,500. Damn, I miss those days!