1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

Description

You already know we're fans of the bold and beautiful here at Streetside Classics, and this strikingly handsome 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 certainly qualifies. It's a real code 138 SS with upgraded A/C, sparkling Island Teal paint, and choice options like power steering and power front disc brakes. And with a unique color combination and and off-the-charts curb appeal, it's a heck of a looker, too. If you're tired of being ordinary, this beautifully restored Chevelle SS is the antidote.

Island Teal isn't a color you see all that often on a muscle-car era Chevelle, and that's a shame because it looks downright fantastic when spread across the A-Body platform. If you're like us, you're starting to grow a bit weary of all the black and red, and even though those classic colors still get the heartrate up, it's refreshing to see a monster like this wearing a light blue tuxedo. A black vinyl top was added for contrast and to tone things down a bit, giving this Chevelle an air of sophistication in the process. Add in a set of black stripes that wrap around the nose and run down the rockers and you have a sporty yet elegant SS that will definitely stand out in a crowd of the rank-and-file Chevelle SS's. GM didn't keep track of how many of each color they built, but when was the last time you saw a Chevelle decked-out like this? Like I said, this one is for the guy or gal who digs the unusual and wants to leave a mark. It's also for the person who appreciates quality, as the restoration got the bodywork into top driver-grade shape and covered it in modern paint, so it has a shine that nothing from five decades ago could ever touch. It's not perfect, but it's no slouch either as strong driver-quality hauler that really turn heads, and a weekend spent with a clay bar and buffer could easily kick things back up a notch. During the build they left well enough alone, so there's no aftermarket hood, no extra stripes or scoops, and all the original badges are in place. And as a real-deal SS396, the blacked-out grille and slick tail panel were standard equipment. It's somewhat strange that a color so light and soft can still make a car still look so delightfully mean, but that exact paradox is why this Chevelle is so darn special.

Open the Chevelle's big doors and you'll find a cabin that's been well-cared for since the day it was restored. Black vinyl covers the bench seats fore and aft, plush matching carpets line the floors and are further protected with a set of thick, rubber floor mats, and the set of super-clean SS door panels at the flanks are fresh reproductions. A stock-style dash is topped with a crack-free pad, while inside there's a set of factory-style gauges that keep an eye on the big block's revs. A 3-spoke SS steering wheel feels very sporty in the hands of the driver, although the column-shifter that joins it on the column allows for set-it-and-forget gear selection for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission below. Options are sparse, but you do get a Vintage Air A/C unit with controls mounted in the center stack and vents attached below, and the retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo just below it plays tunes through the upgraded speakers in the kick panels. The back seat looks like it's been rarely used but has enough room for 3 willing passengers, and the cavernous trunk is stock and covered in matching black carpets – proudly showing off solid panels and sheetmetal underneath that tell the story of this car's easy life.

As a real SS, the base motor was a 396 cubic inch V8 rated at 325 horsepower, but you already knew that. This particular Chevelle carries a date-code, period-correct replacement block in it, which is an interesting wrinkle in its history. While the numbers matching one is gone, it's nice to see a correct ED suffix code motor with a casting number that decodes to a real-deal 1968 396 V8. The engine bay is very clean, featuring a nicely detailed block coated in Chevy Orange engine enamel, black '396' valve covers and a matching open-element air cleaner complete with '396' badging. The big block sparks to life immediately thanks to an HEI ignition and modern alternator, is fed through a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor atop a Bowtie aluminum intake, and breathes easy through a set of ceramic-coated long-tube headers at the flanks. A front-runner kit powers all the accessories, including that new compressor from the Vintage Air A/C system, and a big aluminum radiator up front keeps the whole show nice and cool. A TH350 3-speed automatic delivers the performance to the heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end out back, and the soundtrack through the Flowmaster dual exhaust system is downright erotic when the motor is at full bore. The undercarriage is super-solid and was nicely detailed with satin black paint, and with power steering and power front disc brakes this Chevelle is delight to drive. Flashy Ralley wheels kick things up a notch and they're wrapped in sporty 235/60/15 front and 245/60/15 rear white-letter tires that fill the fenders perfectly.

A great-looking car that runs superbly and has a unique street presence – isn't that what makes for an outstanding hobby car? Call today!