In 1967, Chevrolet produced 63,006 examples of its Chevelle SS 396. What started as a desirable muscle car has now reached a level of desirability that lifts the SS into the upper echelon within today’s classic market. This SS has seen better days and requires total restoration. It is a project that won’t be for the faint-hearted, but the next owner should reap the benefits once the work is complete. It will take equal levels of dedication and a healthy wallet to achieve a satisfactory outcome, but when the tools are put down for the final time, somebody will be the proud owner of an iconic American classic. Located in Hooper, Nebraska, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on eBay. Strong bidding has pushed the price to $6,100, although this figure remains short of the reserve.

When it was shiny and new, this Chevelle would have looked extremely attractive in its original combination of Ermine White paint with a Black vinyl top. Those days are long behind it, and at some point, the white has made way for blue, while the vinyl has disappeared entirely. However, the color change is the least of this car’s problems. It should be no surprise to learn that it does have rust issues, and they are pretty extensive. The SS appears to be structurally sound, but the buyer will be spending plenty of money on replacement steel for this classic. The shopping list will include full floor pans, a trunk pan, rear quarter panels, rockers, and possibly front fenders. That represents a lot of cutting and welding but isn’t unusual in a Chevelle of this age. On the plus side, it does appear to be essentially complete. The chrome looks restorable, while the glass seems okay. The seller mentions the aftermarket wheels, but with the car in its current state, they are probably the last thing I would focus on.

As with the panels and paint, this Chevelle’s interior requires total restoration. From a positive perspective, all of the major components are intact. The upholstered surfaces have deteriorated beyond help, and while the dash looks retrievable, the state of the pad is unclear. We will cover the topic of the car’s drivetrain shortly, but the interior retains its correct steering column for a vehicle with a floor shift. It originally featured a console, but this is one item that is no longer present. A trim kit and pad will lighten the buyer’s wallet to the tune of $2,000. A console will add around $600 to the total, but the interior should be in showroom condition once the buyer installs these items.

It is easy to understand how the Chevelle SS has developed a cult following when you lift the hood and gaze into the engine bay of this car. It houses a 396ci big-block V8 that would have produced 325hp in its prime. We’ve reached the point where things become slightly muddy with this car. The owner is unsure whether it is numbers-matching, and my instinct tells me that it isn’t. This big-block is backed by a Turbo 350 transmission, but the interior shots reveal a clutch pedal. That suggests that the car rolled off the production line with a manual transmission. However, the engine block code shows that Chevrolet produced this motor coupled to a TH-400 transmission. It all rolls together to create a mystery, and it’s one that potential buyers may wish to unravel before they hand over their cash. From a positive perspective, the drivetrain appears to be complete, and the owner indicates that the V8 turns freely. I would subject that motor to a thorough inspection, but coaxing it back to life may not be a significant undertaking. It will undoubtedly come out as part of the restoration process, and that would be the perfect opportunity to check everything thoroughly and reseal the motor and transmission.

Once restored, this 1967 Chevelle SS 396 should be capable of turning heads and terrorizing the tarmac. It would be interesting to know whether it is numbers-matching because the seller seems unsure. That will impact its potential value once complete, but it is hard to ascertain how profound that may be. Restored to a high standard, it could be capable of nudging $60,000 on a good day. If the seller achieves perfection, this figure may climb to $70,000. If it is numbers-matching, that price would almost certainly go higher. Regardless of its ultimate value, this Chevelle should be stunning once complete. It will take a dedicated new owner, but are you up to the challenge?