1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Description

If you like your muscle cars big with enough horsepower to alter the earth's rotation, this 1966 Chevelle SS with its original L78 big block and a 4-speed is right up your alley. With a spectacular show-quality restoration, it's a stunning Marina Blue hardtop with the performance to back up its aggressive look.

In 1966, the Chevelle was Chevy's mid-sized car, but that also meant that a big block would fit under the hood, so they gave the SS models a performance look to match its moves. Sleek bodywork complete with those flying buttress C-pillars is instantly recognizable, but the clean, unadorned flanks suggest that GM stylists knew horsepower was the real draw here. Today it's still timeless, and thanks to the recent paint job in the original code F Marina Blue, it looks like a million bucks. There's a lot of time invested in blocking the bodywork to ensure straightness, and the shine on the urethane paint only got there with a professional color sand and buff. Correct SS pieces include the blacked-out grille and tail panel, and the faux hood vents are one of the coolest design elements to come out of the '60s. Fresh bumpers, lots of polished stainless, and new weather stripping all add to the new car feel.

Cowl tag junkies will note that this car originally carried a set of Ivory imitation leather buckets, but it has been upgraded to black, which nobody will argue is a mistake. The wood-rimmed steering wheel is a nice contrast to all the black inside, and neatly frames the original instrument panel, which reflects the SS's no-nonsense mission. A period-correct accessory tachometer on the steering column looks very cool and there's a clock down on the console. The original AM radio is still in place, but that's about it for options on this SS, which strongly suggests that it was built for one thing and one thing only (and you know what that is). A quick-acting shifter tops the 4-speed manual and you'll never miss third gear again with this one and it gives a cool race-ready look to the interior. The trunk is neat and clean, and features a correct form-fitting mat and spare tire with cover.

The engine is the original, numbers-matching 4-bolt main L78 396 with 375 horsepower. Fully rebuilt and beautifully detailed, it looks like dawn of the muscle cars all over again. The original mechanical camshaft sings its song, but you'll be shocked by how smoothly it idles, more evidence that the factory engineers really knew their stuff. There's Chevy Orange on the block and a touch of chrome on the valve covers and air cleaner, just the way the factory did it, and correct reproduction decals were used throughout. A Muncie M22 - Rock Crusher - close-ratio 4-speed spins the torque to a stout 12-bolt rear, and it sounds downright insane through the throaty Flowmaster exhaust system. The suspension and brakes have been rebuilt, the chassis is solid and clean, and, well, if you're looking for a turn-key big block with some cojones, they don't come nicer than this. Originally fitted with 14-inch steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps, that's how it was restored and we're totally digging the redline radials!

If you're going to have a high-profile Chevelle SS, you need a really big gun inside. This hardtop delivers. Call today!