Real 138 Code Project: 1966 Chevelle SS 396/4-Speed

If this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS could talk and I got to ask it just one question, it would have to be where did your engine and transmission go, as the seller claims the car’s only got 39,000 miles on the ticker.  Other than the missing drivetrain, the Chevy ticks a lot of the right boxes, including a 138 VIN indicating it’s a true factory Super Sport.  We don’t get any before photos, so perhaps the car was in poor condition at one time and somebody borrowed the big block and 4-Speed for a better bowtie, but this is all speculation so let’s fast-forward to the present and check out what the car looks like now.  This 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS is out on the west coast up in Hillsboro, Oregon, and can be found here on eBay, where bidding is up to an even 18 grand so far.

The seller mentions his Chevelle is a one-owner, but then goes on to say everything that came with the car when he bought it years ago is included in the sale, so maybe he means it was purchased from the original buyer.  In any event, the car is said to have already had the tough work completed, and while some specific exterior items are stated as new such as the windshield, door handles, and driver’s door mirror, there’s no mention of what kind of actual bodywork has been done or how old the paint is.  But the seller does assure us there isn’t any rust, and I’m certainly not spotting any indications from the photos that lead me to believe otherwise.

Lots of attention has been given to the interior, and it’s already undergone seat restoration, new carpeting, door panels, and a new dash pad.  The headliner is missing, but the supports are included and it’s good that we get to view the inside of the roof, which looks to be in very good condition.  Even better are all the pictures we get of the undercarriage, and I’m not spotting anything other than a solid frame or floor down below, but all this hard work that’s already gone into the car just adds to the mystery of why the owner hasn’t gone on to complete the project.

Since this one will never again be numbers-matching, the buyer will have plenty of options for whatever he chooses to install under the hood, and things in the engine bay look like they’ve already been nicely prepared for when that day arrives.  The car is also a factory 4-Speed so it’s already set up for a manual transmission, plus the 12-Bolt positraction rear end is still intact.  This seems like a great project if you happen to have a big block and a spare transmission at your disposal, and even if you don’t the car seems ripe for an LS.  How would you move ahead with this 1966 Chevelle SS?