The owner of this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 has recently removed it from long-term storage. It is an original and unrestored classic that needs very little to take it to the next level. It features no aftermarket additions and wears its survivor badge with pride. There’s little doubt that a cosmetic refresh would have it shining magnificently, but the buyer may choose to address its minor rust issues and retain the rest of the car in an untouched state. With these muscle cars growing in stature, popularity, and value, it could also represent a sound investment. Located in Pleasant Hill, California, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on eBay. Reasonable bidding has pushed the price to $13,500, although I’m unsurprised that this figure remains short of the reserve.

The Regal Red paint that graces the panels of this Chevelle shines nicely. It is made more impressive when you consider that this car is unrestored and original. It has recently emerged from storage, and years of isolation don’t seem to have hurt it too much. There is some rust for potential buyers to consider, but this is limited to a few spots around the wheel openings and some that has appeared around the back window. Addressing both would be easy and could be completed with patches rather than the buyer performing panel replacement. If I bought this car I would follow the patch path because the remaining steel in the car is as it rolled off the production line. Diving under this classic reveals floors and a frame that is spotless. Life in California has helped preserve this gem for the next owner to enjoy. The panels look extremely straight, with no significant bruises or marks. The owner has just stripped and restored all five wheels, and they wear the original dog dish hubcaps. The trim and chrome are in good condition, while there are no issues with the glass.

Chevrolet’s big-block V8s have achieved legendary status across the globe, and that’s what we find in this classic when we lift the hood. The L35 version of the 396ci monster punches out 325hp. Those horses find their way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. This Chevelle is a genuine muscle car capable of storming the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds before winding its way to 124mph. It comes with equal helpings of good and bad news for potential buyers. The owner confirms that it is a numbers-matching classic and that he has recently rebuilt the carburetor and replaced the exhaust from the manifolds back. He says that the car drives nicely and that the engine feels strong. However, that big-block does have a knock that reveals itself at high revs. He believes it is coming from the #1 cylinder but isn’t sure of the cause. If I were to slap down my cash on this classic, I would be investigating that as a priority. It may be minor, but I would rather find out immediately than risk hearing a loud, potentially expensive bang followed by total silence.

The originality of this Chevelle continues when we survey its interior. The first owner ordered the vehicle with an AM radio, bucket seats, and a knee-knocker tachometer. These items are intact, and nobody has added any aftermarket components. The interior remains serviceable, but it needs some attention to lift it back to a factory-fresh state. The covers on the front seats are split and damaged, and the buyer will need to source replacements to achieve this look. While we receive no photos, the seller indicates that the headliner is pretty bad. Sourcing a headliner for around $200 is not difficult, but the seat covers will leave buyers with a decision to make. While a replacement set for the bucket seats will lighten their wallet by around $350, there may be a color inconsistency between the new covers and the existing rear one. If the buyer wishes to maintain an even appearance, they could add a further $200 to the total for a new back cover. Otherwise, this interior appears to need nothing. The dash and pad are in excellent condition, as is the carpet. There is some wear on the steering wheel, but a skilled new owner could restore this in a home workshop. With those items addressed, the interior would present nicely.

For potential buyers, it is decision time with this 1966 Chevelle SS 396. If you were to hand over your hard-earned cash for this classic, what would your course of action be? Would you address its minor rust problems and treat it to a cosmetic refresh? If you chose to leave the car largely untouched, that would be easy to understand. It is often said that vehicles like this are only original once, which makes the preservation option a valid choice. It will be interesting to gauge your feedback and see how many of you would return it to a factory-fresh state. It would also be interesting to know if you might consider making a bid on this iconic American muscle car.