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Unmolested And Original: 1966 Chevelle

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I’m really impressed by both the car and the presentation of it in the eBay listing for this 1966 Chevelle. With an original 283 cubic inch V-8 and a four speed, along with great patina, this is a really attractive car. It’s located in LaFayette, Georgia, where it was recently driven from California without issues. Thanks to Charles H. for this find!

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While there are some obvious areas of rust, there isn’t much that is really concerning. The seller details some holes in the trunk floor that require attention, and I’d want to at least stop the rust from progressing further, but the faded paint on this one adds to the overall appearance in my mind. I also really like the “dog dish” center caps with steel wheels.

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The seller has included photos of the underside, and apart from some surface rust (and some exhaust damage) it really looks pretty decent under there. I appreciate it when a seller puts a car on a lift to take pictures. I found myself liking this car more and more as I looked closer, although I make no claims to be a Chevelle expert.

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The inside looks pretty nice apart from the driver’s seat and dash pad. I think I’d get the driver’s seat repaired and live with the dash pad for the time being. Carpet is threadbare but would be fine for the car in it’s current condition. I absolutely love the center console with the chrome shifter and gauge. And yes, that’s an 8-track tape player above the console!

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The seller says the 283 runs great and the car even has new tires. Other than checking things out and verifying safety issues, I would drive this car as-is. Ok, maybe I’d fix the driver’s seat, but I think this would be a really cool driver; what do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar RayT

    Right now it’s at $13K. Seems to me that’s a high-but-acceptable price.

    Jamie, maybe I’m not getting the Barn Finds Spirit, but if I latched on to a car like this, I’d want to give it a respray and make it pretty, not revel in the fact that it appears to be in the twilight years of its useful life.

    In my low-dollar youth, more than one of my cars had worn-out paint, torn upholstery and other signs of previous neglect/age/abuse. All ran well and were safe (maybe not “safe” if you count the driver), but even then I was eager to pretty ’em up. Still am.

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    • Avatar Jamie Staff

      Ray, a lot of times I want to restore them as well. There’s something about the look of this one that I liked–but I can certainly see your point of view! I have both restored and “daily driver” classic cars and have a spot for both types :-)

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    • Avatar Mark S

      I agree rust stop on the under carriage, respray on the top, fix the seat, replace the dash pad and carpet. To me patina is an incomplete restoration. They are much more attractive done up, that doesn’t mean you have to make a trailer queen either.

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  2. Avatar jimbosidecar

    The 1966 and 1967 Chevelles are among my favorite muscle cars. The Patinia thing to me anyway belongs on pre 1953 pickup trucks and I don’t care for the look on anything newer, especially this car. If it wasn’t across the country, I’d be sorely tempted on this one. Drive it until the 283 blows up and replace it with a proper big block.

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  3. Avatar Charles H.

    I like them with a good looking paint job also, but I would be happy to drive this jewel just as it is, as I did a few things at a time to it, eventually getting to the repaint probably toward the end.

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  4. Avatar Jim

    13k is too much! It will take 25k to restore it to a point that does this car justice. Now with the sale price, your looking at SS money and it’s not a SS!!
    Sorry, this one doesn’t pencil!!

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  5. Avatar Ed P

    I don’t see any terminal rust, so I would clean up the body and paint it. Who wants to drive around in a rusty old car? The interior looks nice except for the drivers seat, and dash. The carpet is questionable. Bring this one back.

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  6. Avatar Chris in WNC

    I would definitely treat the underside with rust stabilizer and then perhapscoat it with used gear oil.
    If the topside has any actual rust it would get light sanding and satin clearcoat.
    NEW original style upholstery for the driver’s seat then DRIVE IT.
    Cars like this are very subjective ;-)

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  7. Avatar Rocco

    Is the eng just painted or is it rebuilt? I’m surprised he didn’t say.

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  8. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    Wow – astounding – an insight on how the prices are going on these things –

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