Yes, that does sound a bit disingenuous but it is a true statement. It is a bit like this cagey business contact that I used to have. He would never lie, he just didn’t tell you the entire story. And that’s the case with this 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396, it’s what’s not there, that is important. Let’s fill in the blanks. This Chevy is located in Walhalla, South Carolina and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,000, reserve not yet met. There is a BIN option of $8,500 available. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!

OK, so this Chevelle is missing a few parts, actually, it’s missing lots of stuff including the fenders, inner fenders, hood, valance, radiator and bulkhead, grille, bumper, brackets, lights, and that’s just the immediately noticeable items. The seller adds that this Chevelle also will need a trunk pan but the floors are fair and the frame is “awesome” (I wouldn’t go that far). What is here, such as the quarters, are not without their issues either. Additionally, the taillights are missing, as is the rear trim panel and the back bumper is less than straight.

It’s matching numbers time. This Chevelle was built at Chevrolet’s Broening Highway assembly plant in Baltimore on the fourth week of April in 1968 (04D). Its body style is a 3837 which means an SS396, two-door hardtop Chevelle.  The sequence number is 188187 and that is stamped into the front of the engine block, so the engine’s number matches the car’s VIN (138378B188187) sequence number. Additional engine identifiers include T0404 ET which means the Tonawanda, NY engine foundry, cast on April 4th and a 325 HP, 396 CI V8 engine, attached to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. As one can see, the engine is way beyond any semblance of operational ability. To determine if it’s salvageable, it will have to be completely disassembled – perhaps the block is still usable. The seller states that he has the heads and intake manifold. The original twelve-bolt differential is still under the rear end of this Chevelle – that’s good to see as they have a tendency to get poached.

The interior is gutted, completely, with the exception of the instrument panel, steering wheel, and center console. Its current condition does allow a prospective buyer to see exactly what they are acquiring. I stated earlier that the floors are fair, and I’ll stick by that descriptor but they will require some cutting and patching. The good news is that almost the entire interior can be acquired from one of several different online vendors, though the missing seat frames, front and back, could require a bit of a hunt.

The seller claims, “Easy Restoration“, I’d say that remains to be seen, there will be a myriad of smaller, unseen items that will rear their ugly head, especially small electronic components and wiring – those are always challenging items. The matching number value metric seems overblown; sure, it adds value but it’s far from essential when one is looking for a fun, old ride. And does it really matter in a case like this?