1968 Chevelle SS 396 - NCRS Discussion Boards

1968 Chevelle SS 396

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  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43193

    1968 Chevelle SS 396

    I hope you folks will indulge me just this once and promise that this won't "get something started". I do very much favor keeping this board on the technical level and regarding Corvettes. However, I've mentioned this car I used to own in several previous posts and I just found these pictures of it----the only ones that I know of that were ever taken of it. This was a 1968 Chevelle SS 396 that I factory ordered in early 1968 and took delivery of in May, 1968. It had an L-78 engine, M-22 4 speed, and 3.73:1 posi. The very first day that I had it, I removed the original wheels and replaced them with these Western Wheels that I previously had on my 1966 Chevelle SS 396. At the time, Western Wheel was an "upstart" competitor to American Racing Wheels. These were beautiful wheels; I wish I still had them (and the car, too).

    This car was built at the Fremont General Motors Assembly Plant. My roommate at the time, one Steve Silva, was a foreman at the plant and followed the car down the line the night it was built. Steve, who eventually went into new car sales, is the guy that ordered and sold me my 1992 Corvette.

    These pictures were taken within the first month, or so, of my ownership of the car----likely right after I received the license plates. I only had this car about 18 months and sold it when I took delivery of the 1969 Corvette that I still have. I absolutely HATED this car the day I sold it, but I sure wish I had it back now. It was the only car that I ever ran out of gas in during my whole life and it happened TWICE in the 18 months, or so, that I owned it. At 6.8 MPG, it went through a 20 gallon tank VERY fast. It pinged even using Chevron Custom Supreme, the highest octane gasoline generally available in California at the time.

    By the way, that's a 21 year old me sitting on the hood in one of the pictures. One of my best friends called this car "The Black Cat". He had a dark green, 1968 Camaro Z-28. I hope to reconnect with him soon. I want to get my 1969 Corvette finished before I do, though.




    Attached Files
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley
  • William C.
    NCRS Past President
    • May 31, 1975
    • 6037

    #2
    Great Car Joe!! *NM*

    Bill Clupper #618

    Comment

    • Terry M.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • September 30, 1980
      • 15573

      #3
      Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

      Nice car Joe. The original A-bodies were great rides. I wish you had some shots of the engine compartment.
      Terry

      Comment

      • Brian M.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • February 1, 1997
        • 1837

        #4
        Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

        Nice car Joe. Did you sell it with the wheels?

        Comment

        • Paul B.
          Very Frequent User
          • April 30, 1995
          • 482

          #5
          Chevelle...

          ...I too from 1976 to 1984 had a "One of 612" 1967 Chevelle SS396 L-78 396/375HP car. Zero options except for AM radio, Marina Blue, Black interior w/bench seat M-20 4spd. Also wish I had "that" car back too.

          Comment

          • Jay Garris

            #6
            Re: Chevelle...

            Still have my 67 SS 396/350hp 13867 Convertible. Butternut Yellow on Black. 4-speed M-20 buckets, 12 bolt 3:08 posi. One of only 4 Convertibles built with 3:08 posi. Full docs bought from org. owner of 36 years. Braggin, but found the Build Sheet 3mos after I owned it. Had been tempted with a 67 Big block non-nos. car trade. The org owner did 2 tours in Country 69-71. He too put on Keystone Mageneisum wheels on it. 14 inch, still got em. I'd Post pic, but not sure how. Think I'll hold out. These Chevelles ride so nice.

            Comment

            • Mark W.
              Expired
              • February 1, 2001
              • 160

              #7
              Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

              Joe, where in California were the pictures of your car taken? I grew up in SoCal and the building in the background, which appears to be a school, looks familiar.

              Comment

              • Michael H.
                Expired
                • January 29, 2008
                • 7477

                #8
                Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                Joe,

                Sure glad I never posted a pic of me next to my brand new 68 Z28. You look like a well groomed gentleman next to your new Chevelle and I look like a punk in my pic. (still am I suppose)

                Comment

                • Richard B.
                  Frequent User
                  • March 1, 1989
                  • 99

                  #9
                  Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                  love thoes Chevelles. I my self is doing a frame off resto on a 66 SS 2 door hard top

                  Comment

                  • Joe L.
                    Beyond Control Poster
                    • February 1, 1988
                    • 43193

                    #10
                    Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                    Brian-----

                    Yes, I did. They were 14" wheels, so, at the time, I did not think that I would have any further use for them.
                    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                    Comment

                    • Joe L.
                      Beyond Control Poster
                      • February 1, 1988
                      • 43193

                      #11
                      Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                      Mark------

                      The pictures were taken in northern California. The building in the background of some of the pictures is the high school that I graduated from in 1965----James Logan High School in Union City, CA. I don't remember why we chose that location for the pictures; I was attending San Jose State College at the time and, if we had wanted a shcool setting, I don't know why we didn't take them there.
                      In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                      Comment

                      • Joe L.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • February 1, 1988
                        • 43193

                        #12
                        Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                        Terry------

                        We're thinking alike; I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing myself. Unfortunately, all I have of the engine compartment are 38 year old memories.
                        In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                        Comment

                        • Robert Willis

                          #13
                          Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                          I still think back to my 66 Malibu SS. A 283 4-speed car that I had a blast with. When it worked good all you saw was the hood when the clutch came out, because, the bottoms of the front tires were about a foot off the ground. Now days I just drive my 57.

                          Bob




                          Comment

                          • Richard B.
                            Frequent User
                            • March 1, 1989
                            • 99

                            #14
                            Re: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

                            Robert was your 66 SS built and sold in Candna?

                            Comment

                            • Richard P.
                              Expired
                              • May 31, 2002
                              • 190

                              #15
                              Re: Chevelle...

                              Jay Garris,
                              I had a 1967 Chevelle convirtible with a 3.08 positraction too! Mine was butternut yellow with turquoise interior(looked better than it sounds.)
                              It was not an SS but a 327/275. Bought it brand new for $3000. and sold it 18 months later for $1450. Wish I still had it.
                              Cheers,
                              Richard

                              Comment

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