The Chevrolet Chevelle is pretty much a “go-to starter package car” as far as American classics are concerned. If you’re looking to buy your first muscle car, a Chevelle SS 396 is a solid choice. Of course, you’ll want the second-generation model, unless you’re really into vintage cars.
Come 1968, GM gave the Chevelle an all-new body design, featuring tapered front fenders and a more rounded beltline. It also had this classic long-hood/short-deck styling, and a typical fastback rear end, if you will. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it ultra sporty or aggressive, but there’s something elegant about its design.
What we have here is a gorgeous Chevelle SS 396 Sport Coupe, built in May of 1968 and acquired by its first owner in July of that year. It reportedly stayed with that person until 1995 and was subsequently refurbished in the mid-2010s.
Aside from the Grotto Blue factory-finish, this Chevelle also comes with a black vinyl roof, a twin domed hood, black-accented grille, SS 396 badging, hideaway windshield wipers, dual side mirrors, chrome bumper guards, door-edge guards, and 14” wheels with Goodyear Wide Tread redline tires. It’s also got the factory-equipped F40 sport suspension, power steering and power assisted front disc brakes.
Inside, the front and rear bench seats have been re-trimmed in black vinyl, while the split-front bench is said to be a factory Buick-style unit.
Other highlights include the Delco AM radio, air conditioning, power windows, seatbelts (for all five occupants), plus an SS-branded steering wheel mounted to a tilt column. Meanwhile, that five-digit odometer is showing just 110 miles – don't be too thrilled though, because the total mileage is unknown, as is often the case with these types of vehicles.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
As for performance, under the hood of this car is a Turbo-Jet 396 ci L35 V8 engine, factory-rated at 325 horsepower. You could also get this unit with either 350 hp or 375 hp back then, but the original owner decided to go with the entry-level 396 – nothing wrong with that; this is still a very capable performance car in a straight line.
Anyway, the engine was bored 0.060” over and fitted with replacement pistons. Power then reaches the rear wheels via a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic transmission and a 12-bolt rear axle.
According to the ad, this Chevelle sold for $4,069 originally, although unfortunately it failed to sell at auction this past weekend, when the top bid maxed out at $62,500. Its current owner, a dealer out of Fort Myers, Florida, chose to keep the car rather than accept the $62.5k. This begs the question: how high was that reserve? I’m also curious as to what you guys think the true value of this Chevelle is.
Do you see it selling for $70 or $80k? Keep in mind, the spec is pretty darn nice.
Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration. Full profile
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