Due to its growing popularity, the Chevelle SS 396 became a series of its own in 1966. It accounted for 15% of all Chevelle sales that year, which means 1 out of every 7 Chevy intermediates would be muscle cars. This ’66 looks like it was recently rescued, and the current owner bought new-in-the-box sheet metal to take care of the rust the car has accumulated. Located in Valencia, California, the car has received just one bid of $13,500 here on eBay.
Seeing the success that Ford had sliding a mid-size car in between the compact Falcon and full-size Galaxie, GM responded and the Chevelle was Chevy’s answer in 1964. When it came to a muscle car derivative, the Super Sport filled that bill and with the 396 cubic inch V8, it became the SS 396. Out of 447,364 Chevelles built in 1966 (inc. the El Camino), 66,643 rolled off the assembly lines in SS 396 trim. You can tell if these cars are the real deal when the first three digits of the VIN say 138, as does the one on the seller’s car.
This is a non-running project for which the seller does not know the condition of the drivetrain. He doesn’t even provide a photo under the hood. The 396 is paired with an automatic transmission and it had a bench seat when he got it, but he’ll send a pair of ’66 buckets and a renewed console along with the sale. It‘s said to have factory air conditioning which would have been kind of rare on a muscle car back then.
The purchase price of this car will get the buyer more than $3,000 in sheet metal that he acquired to restore the Chevelle. Which is a good thing, because rust can be found here, there, and almost everywhere, although mainly the trunk floor from what we can see. This has the potential of being a big money muscle machine when restored, but it will take some doing to get there.
My first car (although mine was a 4 speed w/ buckets & console) but brings back a ton of memories…
Since the first one I’ve owned over a dozen 66-67’s but can’t ever recall a bench seat auto on column with A/C.
If this stays reasonable it would be a decent one to restore, but being a desert dweller, I just can’t stand fixing rust!
I had a 67 SS396 Chevelle with bench seat,automatic on column and air condition…Was a super nice car…sold it in the late 70s for $500.00 . Just one of many regrets.
Is this the Mr Dixon that has the 1957 Red Chevrolet hard top
My guess is, there is a small block under the hood.
That would explain why he’s claiming ignorance to the engine.
I have a ’66 chevelle SS with AC and automatic although mine has buckets and console. They did build them this way with column shift and buckets.
I think this is a great deal as seller is including $3K in new sheet metal plus “66 buckets and console. If it were mine I would repair what appears is minimal body rust in order to keep the original panels. I might replace the trunk floor panels.