Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a 10-day series featuring the cars to be sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach Auction.
1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 convertible
One of the most fashionable offerings from Chevrolet’s late-’60s series of Super Sport performance machines was the 1967 Chevelle SS convertible, a tantalizing marriage of timeless styling and tire-shredding horsepower.
This 1967 Chevelle SS 396 convertible was one of only 612 produced that year with the most powerful engine in the Chevrolet lineup, the L78 396ci big block V8.
To take advantage of the L78’s considerable horsepower and torque, this car was also ordered with a close-ratio M21 4-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt posi-traction rear end with racy 4.10:1 gearing.
After years of being kept in dry storage for preservation until 1981, the car was treated to a comprehensive frame-off restoration using NOS parts for maximum authenticity. It is black and sports a power operated black convertible top and matching black interior.
This is the Chevelle SS at its full-dress best, with Strato bucket seats (including rare factory headrests, which were still optional), a locking center console with clock, deluxe wood-grained Sport steering wheel, Soft Ray tinted glass, GM seat belts, front and rear bumper guards, door edge guards, power steering and power brakes.
A push-button AM/FM radio with four speaker system and the dash mounted “blinker” tachometer are especially rare features seldom seen together in the Chevelle SS. That was a lot of car in 1967 and it remains today as one of the classics of the muscle car era.
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS coupe
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile produced from 1964 to 1977 and is one of Chevrolet’s most successful cars. Body styles included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. Super Sport versions were available through the 1973 model year.
In 1969 the Chevelle got some revised front-end styling in the form of a single chrome bar connected quad headlights and a revised front grille.
This Chevelle has gone through a frame-off restoration resulting in a 396/375hp L78 with 4-speed transmission, 12-bolt rear axle, power disc brakes, simulated wood wheel, radio delete, heater delete, A.I.R. smog equipment, cowl plenum induction, code 51 Dusk Blue exterior, bucket seat interior, T3 headlights, GM floor mats, console gauge package, factory 6,000-rpm tachometer, and a stainless-steel gas tank.
The car is complete with Super Sport wheels with Polyglas tires, correct spare and jack assembly. Correct GM hoses, clamps, tags and markings can be seen throughout the car.
Barrett-Jackson’s 13th annual Palm Beach Auction is April 17-19 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Coverage of the event will be broadcast on Velocity and Discovery during 19 hours of live, high-definition television beginning Friday, April 17, at 12 p.m. EDT.
Telecast Schedule:
Friday, April 17, 12-8 p.m. EDT –Velocity
Saturday, April 18, 2-5 p.m. EDT –Discovery
Saturday, April 18, 5-8 p.m. EDT –Velocity
Sunday, April 19, 12-5 p.m. EDT – Velocity
