Frame Off Restored Chevelle SS 396 700R4

To answer your first question, yes, the paint really is as amazing as it looks in the pictures.

To answer your second question, no it’s not a real SS, but it’s so amazing in just about every way that you won’t even care. This is a seriously nice car.

Sometimes a guy gets a his dream car and goes all-out building it. The budget goes out the window almost immediately, and what follows is a quest to build a car that, until now, existed only in the builder’s imagination. We’ve all followed such dreams, but it’s rare to find a car where the dreams have been fully and completely realized. A smokin’ 396 inch big block under the hood, incredible bodywork, a gorgeous white bucket seat interior, and full of power accessories to make the cruise easy. Cars like this just don’t come along every day, and when you see one, you need to grab it up before the owner comes to his senses and decides to keep it.

This is an original Madiera Maroon car, and the paint on it could reasonably be called a 21st century take on a classic. With a lot of metallic and pearl in it, the paint is like luscious candyapple red, and I guarantee you’ll fall in love the first time you see it in the flesh. The bodywork underneath is expertly done, as it should be if you’re going to build such an eye-catching car. Excellent gaps, laser-straight alignment, and a ton of block sanding make this car stand out. Look at the reflections in those massive rear quarter panels—straight and distortion-free, with no signs of filler or botched repairs. And that paint! Wow! There’s a hint of blue in there somewhere, which only comes out when the light hits it just right, and the pearl effect makes it look miles deep. And if you’re familiar with paint application, you know that getting a finish like this consistent, you have to spray every panel at exactly the right angle under exactly the same conditions, or else you’ll get some variations. Whoever did this work, he definitely knew his stuff.

Fortunately, the builder stuck with the basics and aside from the paint color, he stuck with the factory trim and finishes. The chrome is brilliant, with both bumpers featuring a deep, beautiful finish that is worlds better than factory original. The rear panel between the taillights was blacked out in true SS style, and reproduction ‘Super Sport’ and ‘396’ badges were installed wherever appropriate. Up front, an SS grille was installed, and the hood features those cool faux vents that look like they should be feeding a pack of velocity stacks instead of a carburetor. The glass is so nice, it has to be new, and the windshield even carries appropriate Soft-Ray tinting.

The 396 badges aren’t joking—under the hood you’ll find a freshly built big block Chevy that has been dressed up for show duty. First there’s enough chrome on there to open a Harley-Davidson dealership, from the air cleaner and valve covers to the master cylinder and even the heater box! The block, along with many of the ancillary parts such as the A/C compressor, have been painted to match the body, and the inner fenders and firewall have been finished to the same high standards as the quarter panels. The original radiator has been re-cored and reinstalled, and long tube headers take care of the exhaust. And it isn’t just pretty, it runs extremely well with big torque that will absolutely shred the rear wheels in first and second gear. It runs cool, the A/C blows cold, the power accessories work, and it simply goes about its business without any fussing or nursing. Is this the ultimate summer cruiser? I’m thinking it is.

Behind the engine is a built 700R4 4-speed automatic, which has snappy reflexes, a steep first gear for neck-snapping acceleration, and a tall overdrive for when you’re just cruising. Built to drive, the chassis is undercoated to keep it quiet inside and for low maintenance underneath. Those ceramic-coated long-tube headers dump into a big dual exhaust system with Flowmasters that sounds awesome. The brakes and suspension have been rebuilt to stock specifications and feature new shocks and bushings, so this cruiser rides like a brand new Chevelle. 15-inch polished Billet Specialties GTX03 wheels wear 215/65/15 front and 255/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Originally equipped with a black bench seat interior, this Chevelle is beautifully served by a pair of sparkling white buckets that have been reupholstered to original specifications. Black carpets, along with a black dash and black and white door panels keep it from being too much white, and gives it a cool ‘60s vibe that was very popular on Cadillacs of the period. The gauges have been nicely restored, and there’s a period “knee knocker” tachometer mounted down low. Factory vents and controls are still used for the A/C and heat, while the center console houses an original style shifter that now controls four gears instead of three. That wood-rimmed steering wheel isn’t original, but it feels great in your hands, and is thicker and easier to grab than original wheels would be. Under the deck lid, the trunk is nicely finished in spatter finish gray paint with a black carpet in place of the original rubber mat. You’ll also notice that the battery has been discreetly tucked back out of sight under the rear package shelf.

Documentation features the original Owner’s Manual, service booklet, and some recent receipts.

Someone spent an awful lot of money on this car without worrying about being upside-down on his investment. As a result, you can buy this car for less than it would cost to build your own, and get a turn-key Chevelle that is ready to cruise and show this summer. Big block Chevelles are always attention getters, but this one, with that beautiful paint job and spectacular engine bay will draw crowds like no car you’ve ever owned before. Fully sorted, with everything fully functional, this is an incredible car that you’ll be proud to own. Call us today!