National Award Winning Chevelle SS 396 V8 M20 4 Speed

Like the Bel Air that came before it, the Chevelle was one of those cars Chevrolet aced right out of the gate. Eventually, thanks to GM's continuous improvement and consumer's continuous support, the marque became one of the strongest brands in automotive history. And at one point, with a full list of body styles, options, trim grades, color combinations, and mild to outrageous engines, the challenge became picking a platform which optimized variety and livability. Whoever checked the options sheet for this investment grade 1966 Super Sport probably came as close as you can get to having it all. Its original big block 396 V8 is a go-to heavyweight for both stoplight brawlers and drag strip warriors. Its correct Muncie 4-speed transmission is as spirited as it is reliable. And its super slick Marina Blue on black color combination literally defines the word classic. If you're in the market for a top notch example of one of the best Chevrolets ever produced, this national award winner is just the car you've been looking for!

As Chevelle enthusiasts, we all know it can be very hard to prove the authenticity of Chevrolet's most famous muscle car. Fortunately the record keepers won a small victory in 1966 and every one of Chevrolet's coveted SS396 cars received a specially sequenced vehicle identification number. Here's a breakdown of this real deal Super Sport's factory VIN plate:

* 1: Chevrolet
* 38: SS396, 8-cylinder
* 17: 2-door sport coupe
* 6: 1966 model year
* Z: Manufactured on GM's Fremont, California assembly line
* 104519: Production sequence number

Born at GM's storied, and still somewhat operational, Fremont Assembly, this awesome '66 Chevelle hardtop is the recent beneficiary of a nut and bolt rotisserie restoration that massaged every square inch of its sculpted metal into concours show condition. The car's frame-off transformation began when long-time Chevelle buff Jim Germann completely acid dipped its solid body in preparation for some minor rust repair. Once that body re-emerged and air cured, Jim bolted up a new hood, welded in a new trunk pan and blended a few small patches below its rear window and at the bottom of its right quarter panel. Eventually, with the car patched, prepped and ready to go, the world class technicians at Wooding's Auto Body in Roanoke, Virginia seamed a thick coat of primer with POR 15 rust inhibitor and sprayed a spectacular coat of correct GM code F Marina Blue paint under a glossy clearcoat shell. And today, this top notch Chevelle is as a spectacular muscle car which combines the best aspects of big block Chevrolet performance with the gratuitous fun and old school style that only a classic can provide!

When it comes to classic cars a lot of people simply don't understand the true meaning of the word “concours”. Make no mistake, in this context the word does indeed still refer to the assembly of a bunch of different elements. However, that traditional meaning is augmented by the added significance of both “original” and “perfect”; as in, getting the car as close to original and perfect as humanly possible. That means the significance of a showpiece like this Chevelle, which has had all its original trim fully restored or replaced with true NOS pieces, cannot be taken lightly. At the front of this bright blue trophy winner you'll find a black, body-width grille which hangs a fresh and prominent “SS396” emblem between small AACA plaques, four halogen headlights and an original, re-chromed bumper. At the top of the car, a pristine Super Sport hood props a chrome center spear and chrome SS396 louvers in front of all new glass that's framed by dent-free stainless trim, cleared by familiar stainless wipers and capped by fresh stainless drip rails. At the sides of the car ribbed rocker guards, fade-free fender trim and obligatory chrome door handles combine with detailed cross-flag emblems, a correct chrome mirror and monochromatic “Super Sport” scripts to detail a tasteful, conservative profile. And at the back of the car, a traditional black valence centers a wide-set “CHEVELLE” script between a second “SS396” emblem, crystal clear tail lights and a second re-chromed bumper.

If you wanted a top of the line Chevelle in 1966 you had one option: 396 cubic inches of big block Detroit iron! Rolling out of the factory with stout 10.25 to 1 compression, an impressive 325 horsepower and a massive 410 lb./ft. of torque, this Super Sport's original L35 V8 wears a correct “EH” suffix stamp and a matching 104519 partial VIN in front of a correct 3855961 casting number. At the top of that big engine, oxygen is forced into a fully detailed single snorkel air cleaner which rides on an old school 4-barrel carburetor and a cast iron intake manifold. At the sides of that intake spotless chrome valve covers reflect fresh Packard Radio TVRS wires above correct heads and fully restored exhaust manifolds. At the back of those valve covers, a reproduction points distributor rides between a rebuilt wiper motor, an NOS GM coil and a rebuilt and re-plated power brake booster. At the opposite end of the engine bay a re-cored radiator sends coolant around a shrouded, 4-blade fan via reproduction GM hoses and a full set of tower clamps. And at the side of that radiator, spark is supplied by a reproduction Delco battery which is spliced into to all new wiring and all new harnesses. Naturally the car's satin black engine bay, which consists of powder coated NOS fenders and a powder coated NOS core support, is 100% correct and looks great. Its Chevy Orange block, which has been bored .030 over and fitted with stock valve seats, still features original California smog equipment that adds both value and collectability. And everything from the car's rebuilt, original horns to its powder coated brackets and powder coated pulleys displays the kind of excellent attention to detail that ensures both big points and great performance.

Underneath this rock solid A-Body 'better-than-new' is the prevalent theme with freshly over-restored floors, which are covered in a super slick coat of gloss black paint, hanging over a spotless and highly detailed chassis. Behind the car's stout big block a correct Muncie M20 4-speed transmission sends power from an 11 inch clutch and a polished 11 inch bellhousing to a rebuilt 12 bolt Posi-traction rear end that's equipped with easy driving 3.31 gears. Holding that killer drivetrain off the ground is a completely restored factory suspension that's been thoroughly sandblasted and layered in a durable coat of epoxy paint. And correct power steering combines with correct, and fully rebuilt, power drum brakes to provide greatly improved turns and modern car stops. At the center of the floors, the big engine's restored manifolds dump spent gases into an aluminized true dual exhaust system that's complete with factory replacement turbo mufflers. At the corners of the floors, rare 14 inch steel wheels spin 7.75-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown redlines around pristine dog dish hubcaps. And naturally the bottom of this first class Chevelle is as pristine as it is spotless, with everything from the car's new stainless fuel tank to its correct spiral shocks completely detailed for both show and go!

Pop this Super Sport's sculpted doors open and you'll find a correct GM code 763 black imitation leather interior which is, for the most part, exactly how it rolled out of the factory. The car's correct front bucket and rear bench seats, which were rebuilt with fresh foam, wrapped in new seat covers and bolted to freshly powder coated brackets, show virtually no wear at all. In front of those seats a warp-free dash hangs rebuilt gauges and a correct Delco AM/FM radio above a rebuilt tachometer and a slick pair of NOS kick panels. Below that dash a great looking console frames a chrome floor shifter and a correct clock in pristine stainless trim. And below that console, like-new carpet perfectly complements a complete set of NOS Fisher lap belts. In front of the driver, an original GM steering wheel and an NOS rearview mirror provide an authentic motoring experience. At the sides of the cockpit, fade-free black door panels center pristine stainless trim and new chrome handles around straight and pliable armrests. And behind the passengers, an optional rear speaker tops a fully restored trunk that includes a correct mat, a full-size spare tire and correct decklid decals.

Naturally after Jim Germann finished building it, and Wooding's Auto Body finished slicking it up, this pristine Chevrolet muscle car hit the show circuit and scored many national awards. The car's long list of prestigious accolades includes:

* AACA Senior Grand National winner at the 2008 Grand National Meet in Melbourne, Florida
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2008 Grand National Meet in Melbourne, Florida
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2008 Southeastern Division Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina
* AACA Senior Grand National winner at the 2007 Grand National Meet in Kalamazoo, Michigan
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2006 Southeastern Division Nationals in Asheville, North Carolina
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2006 Eastern Division Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2005 Eastern Division Nationals in Greensburg, Pennsylvania
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2005 Southeastern Division Nationals in Jeffersonville, Indiana
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2005 Southeastern Division Nationals in Roanoke, Virginia
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2005 Central Division Nationals in Warren, Ohio
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2004 Southeastern Division Nationals in Asheboro, North Carolina
* AACA Preservation winner at the 2004 Grand National Meet in Buffalo, New York
* AACA First Senior winner at the 2003 Eastern Division Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
* AACA First Junior winner at the 2003 Southeastern Division Nationals in Greenville, South Carolina
* 2007 Goodguys Muscle Car of the Year Finalist

The sale of this awesome Chevelle includes a reproduction owner's manual, copies of the car's two previous titles and a 2007 Goodguys Gazette in which it's showcased as a Muscle Car of The Year finalist.

Recently we've seen a lot of excellent Chevelles come through our RK Motors Charlotte showroom; and while they're all super nice investments, nothing beats the experience of owning a pristine first generation car! This national award winning Super Sport is an iconic classic which wraps one of the hottest powertrains ever produced in a highly desirable color combination and a world class, concours restoration. Are you in the market for a proven show car that runs every bit as good as it looks? Then, as Chevrolet marketing put it, this awesome Chevelle is “THE THRILL OF THE YEAR!”