It would be unfair to expect any survivor-grade classic with almost six decades under its belt to be perfect. That is certainly the case with this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. If I were to pick a single word to describe its condition, it would be “honest.” The paint has faded, and the panels sport a few minor dings and marks. However, it appears to be rock-solid, leaving the new owner to choose between restoration and preservation. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this wonderful classic listed here on Craigslist in Tucson, Arizona. The seller doesn’t specify a price, although the listing text suggests a figure of $65,000.
The 1967 model year marked the end of the line for Chevrolet’s First Generation Chevelle range. The company performed a major restyle the previous year, and although its replacement was waiting in the wings, it undertook a further, although less significant, refresh in 1967. This final-year SS 396 is a genuine survivor that has spent its life in California and Arizona. The dry climate has baked its Emerald Turquoise paint, which has a matte appearance. However, the climate appears to have done a marvelous job preserving the steel, because there is no evidence of rust. The panels have accumulated minor bumps and bruises, but there is no severe damage to the original steel. The trim looks very presentable for a survivor of this vintage, and the tinted glass is clear. The Chevelle currently rolls on 15″ Rally wheels, but the deal includes a matching set of 14″ Rally wheels that the buyer could install.
The muscle car war was in full swing when this Chevelle rolled off the line, and one glance at its specifications confirms it was a formidable weapon at the time. Its engine bay houses a 396ci V8, and as the L35 version, it delivers an impressive 325hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque. New for 1967 was the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission performing shifting duties, with the SS also sporting a 12-bolt rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The seller indicates the Chevelle is a numbers-matching classic that pins occupants in their seats when the driver stomps on the gas pedal. It runs and drives well, with the seller suggesting the buyer could fly in and build a relationship with their new purchase while driving it home.
Given the exterior paint condition, I didn’t have high hopes for this Chevelle’s interior. The same UV rays that baked the exterior could have exacted a high toll on the car’s vinyl and plastic. However, what we find inside is a pleasant surprise. The Turquoise trim is in excellent condition, and even the prone upper section of the back seat is free from problems. The carpet is clean, and the wheel is crack-free. The only question mark hanging over the interior hides beneath the dash cover. It is unclear whether the pad has succumbed to age or if the cover is merely a protective measure. The first owner’s decision to order the SS with a column shift and a bench seat makes the Chevelle a genuine six-seater.
I am willing to wager that this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 will divide reader opinions. Some will contend that it is a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. However, others will believe that as a genuine survivor, preservation is the most appropriate option, as they are only original once. I know those two schools of thought will probably dominate feedback, but it will be fascinating to discover which is the more popular choice. Since the seller is pretty vague about their price, it will be interesting to ascertain what you would pay for this classic. So, it’s over to you for comments.
Like the writer says it’s not perfect but the pricing suggests it is. Nice ride but way overpriced.
One of my favorite body styles. 65 seems a tad high, but, they ain’t making them anymore… Personally, I think Ford should bring back the 69 Mach 1, and GM should bring this back, kinda like they did with the Dodge Demon. Nice find.
Honest description and a non honest asking price.
This is a 20-25k car at most
I had one back in my college/Army days, ‘69-‘72. Gold with black vinyl top, black interior, close ratio 4 speed with bench seats. It was stolen in 1971 in St Louis, found the next day in East St Louis minus engine, trans, rally wheels and personal items from the car. Insurance company totaled it and I bought it back putting a 327/4 speed back in. It was a fast/powerful car as originally made. I replaced it in early ‘72 with a ‘70 Impala, same color combination with 350/ automatic, missing the power of the SS 396.
If car was finished..it would bring a good price..its a base ss car..not a.4speed.car
Had one just like it back in the 60’s. Had a single line Holly and an “O” ring in the front to back bowl leaked causing an engine fire. At that time every teenage boy had a blanket in the back seat….so I got the fire out with minimal damage.
Automatic transmission?????
nice survivor but needing paint the price is a bit out of range. they are selling for that restored. needs the correct center caps if it’s a disc brake car. good colors. love the bench seat.
You may love the bench seat, I do not. A Super Sport should have bucket seats, leave the bench for Mom’s Malibu four door! This car may be in solid condition, but I think the seller will have a hard time finding a buyer at $65K.
Owner might need to find some shade.
I spent many years in Mesa. It’s evident that too much sun can cause delirium.
My first car was an almost 20 year old ’67 Malibu with a 283 and factory AC, PS & PB with zero rust.
Fun fact: You can pull the keys out of the ignition without turning the car off.
I was driving my brother down to our friends house and he got pissed off about something or other and snatched the keys out of the ignition and tossed them out the window and into the woods.
After fighting like tigers, rolling around in the middle of a dirt road we calmed down enough and spent the next hour looking for my keys.
Good times.
My first car was a “66 2 door Malibu with a 283 in the early 80’s but no AC. Had a bench seat like the one pictured. The memories flooded back reading your post. I pulled the keys out numerous times while driving down the road and although my keys never went out the window, my class ring did once. Long story short… fight with my high school sweetheart. Spent an hour or so looking for it before we found it. Still have the ring but not the girlfriend and sadder still, not the car.
to Elmo, keys only come out when lock is very worn.
I agree, priced at least double what it is worth.
The seller also needs to google about what he’s describing before posting it. 67 disc brakes are 4 piston calipers, not 4 calipers. And it’s Delco Moraine, not Delco Marine. And disc brakes were J52, not JL8 (which was 69 Camaro 4-wheel disc brakes).
Adam, there is a reason the interior is not baked. The door panels, seat covers, rear package tray and dash pad have all been replaced with reproduction parts.
Those are the cheapest possible repro door panels you can buy, that lack all the “depth” of the seam impressions that originals have. They should go directly in the trash if someone else does buy this car, in favor of a somewhat accurate looking set of Legendary door panels that would be more fitting for an otherwise good car. The dash pad is also the bad / cheap version that does not reach down the sides of the dash as far as the original dash pad did, and has no screw holes in the ends. It should extend just a little below the seam on the side of the dash shroud. In one pic you can even see the original screw hole in the dash just below the end of the pad.
Then add a repro brake booster, wrong master cylinder, a 1969 DB hold off valve, a repro radiator and shroud, and lots and lots of other generic AutoZone replacement parts under the hood, and at some point the “true survivor” tag does not really apply any more. For me personally, that describes a car with all or mostly original paint, and all or mostly original interior, and a mostly unaltered engine compartment and trunk. Just my .02
I wonder what the green masking tape on the hood louver studs is for ?? Hopefully they are not getting ready to spraybomb the bottom of the hood.
I will say that’s a neat cupholder they made, using half an automatic console!
It’s got a lot of things I like. I don’t mind the bench seat and even the column auto would be cool just because it’s different. Obviously not a survivor though. I’d put steelies and dog dishes on it with redlines and drive it like that. But no way for that money.
Full disclosure: I am pretty fond of gen 2 Chevelle’s, particularly ’67s. There is no world in which a base model 396 automatic in this condition is worth anything even approaching $65,000, maybe 20/25 on a very good day.
A ’67 L-78 with an M-21, buckets and a console, a “turn signal tach” etc. or a similarly equipped L-79 in this condition might go for 40 or so, but not 65.
I would wish the seller GLWTS, but I’m afraid that no one has that much luck.
My first car was a “66 2 door Malibu with a 283 in the early 80’s but no AC. Had a bench seat like the one pictured. The memories flooded back reading your post. I pulled the keys out numerous times while driving down the road and although my keys never went out the window, my class ring did once. Long story short… fight with my high school sweetheart. Spent an hour or so looking for it before we found it. Still have the ring but not the girlfriend and sadder still, not the car.
A 67 L78 would be in a different league altogether. A very similar numbers matching 67 L78 (dead original paint, and all repro interior of the cheapest variety) recently sold in a private sale for right at 100K. Yes, seriously. I think that was a good bit too much for that particular car, but that is what it brought.
Jeff you should not spread this scenario around, only makes it impossible for millions of us poor folk. It’s bad enough greedy insurance company’s like Hagerty publish low quantity inflated auction results & deem it as the true value of a car. High volume Sold car prices (not the asking price) off E-bay is a better indicator. Ruinous is this small group of bratty people with a lot of money who spoil themselves by overspending (especially at auctions) for a certain color & or options or do it for ego reasons (even worse), make it more difficult for millions of us poor folk to get the car of our dreams.
I believe the ’65-K’ was in reference to the odometer reading, not the asking price.
Nope to Utesman, on right of ad says 80K miles
Very nice Chevy here just high priced right
Really???
If what you say is true, then what I say is the buyer was a complete moron. A good friend of mine just bought a beautiful L-78 4 speed with a correct year CE block for $59,000. I stand by my statement.
I know who you are and respect your knowledge, but if you believe that the sale you mentioned was anything but an outrageous outlier, I suggest that you stop day drinking.
This is a great looking car and highly desirable but way overpriced for just a hardtop owner will be waiting for a buyer at this price. Just what I have been saying that the hobby has gotten out of control with greed and overpriced vehicles very sad for us who love the hobby but cannot afford some of these cars??
@old_rodder – Perhaps you did not read the line at the end of my post that said: “I think that was a good bit too much for that particular car”.
Regardless, an alleged L78 with a CE block is not in the same category as a numbers matching documented original paint 1-of-612 1967 L78 Chevelle. Apples, oranges. I know of 3 original paint 67 L78 Chevelles that have changed hands in private sales in the last decade for six figures or just shy of that. There may be people who don’t like that, or don’t understand it, but it is true regardless.
@me – You say I should “not spread around” actual facts?? The truth is the truth, no matter how much someone might not like it. And again, I did say I think he overpaid for that particular car.
Drunk folks (or testosterone fueled overly competitive folks) at auctions do routinely overpay for cars that I would not allow in my yard. But in the case I referenced earlier the seller knew what he had, and the buyer knew the rarity and knew exactly what he was doing, no liquid courage involved.
And if you told the buyer before he purchased it that you thought (like I do) that that was too much for that particular car (due to the cheap replacement interior), then he would probably have replied, “OK, find me another numbers matching documented original paint 1-of-612 1967 L78 Chevelle that is currently for sale for less money, and I will buy that one instead.” Then when you could not find another one that could be bought for any amount of money, he would have been back after the one he could buy. But the asking price would probably have gone up by then!
Granted, you did mention that you thought the price was excessive, but at the same time you appeared to somewhat justify it. I can tell you that the car I mentioned for $59,000 was not an “alledged” original L-78, It came with the tank sticker, the Protect-o-Plate, the original window sticker, and documentation that warranty replacement was done in early ’68 using all the original engine parts except the block
Hagertys values one in good condition at $49,000, one in excellent condition at around $70,000, and one in concours condition at 90 to $100.000. The car you mentioned was most certainly not a 99 point car given the short comings you yourself mentioned.
If you believe that a 325 horse, automatic, with faded paint and “bumps and bruises” is worth 65K then that is your right, It just so happens thatI do not agree,
Jeff, ok then, tell the truth and facts to the buyer of the next car you sell, what you paid for it and the problems and flaws it had (and flaws it may still have)