1966 Chevelle SS – Authentic SS (“138”) Chevelle
502c.i / 502 Horsepower / 567 Ft. Lb. Torque / Turbo 400 with 2000 Stall Converter…
NOT For the Faint of Heart or Inexperienced!
Show Level PPG Radiance Custom “Wineberry” Tri-Coat Paint & Lase Straight Body
Spectacular Old School Style with Recently Installed Crate 502c.i & Upgrades
ABOUT THIS 1966 CHEVY CHEVELLE SS HISTORY
The Chevelle comes to us, as do the large majority of our cars, from a local customer who was referred by one of the high performance specialty repair facilities in our small community. The cars now retired owner purchased the Chevelle in May 2013 from the previous owner who acquired the car in 1982 and was the cars second longtime owner. At the time of his purchase, the car was a complete and correct 138 car (Super Sport) but was dismantled at the time and had been stored in a garage for some time.
The previous owner was a professional body and paint expert and completed the very high quality 3-stage PPG paint over a period of time. He had the upholstery work and the engine rebuild (a 396c.i. at the time) completed by other professional trades men. While he completed the Chevelle in 2003, it was used primarily to show and as an occasional weekend car accumulating what he estimated as 1,200 miles over the course of 1o years. The subsequent additional of the 502c.i and other significant work outlined below was completed by one of the premier muscle car facilities in Northern California.
While the list of upgrades to this Chevelle is too long to list, a partial list of improvements includes:
– ZZ 502 crate motor (502 Horsepower, 567 LBS Torque) Exhaust
– Transmission- Turbo 400 (with 2000 stall converter)
– Headman 1 ½” ceramic coated
– Sonic Turbo mufflers
– QA 1 front springs and shocks
– Detroit Speed complete front control arms
– Dropped spindle kit and sway bar
– QA 1 rear shocks
– Hotchkiss rear coil springs
– New steering wheel gear box.
– March Performance Billet serpentine set-up with new alternator
– New power steering pump
– New water pump
– New _ Ring Brothers Billet aluminum hood hinges
– Billet tall hood adjusters and Billet door jambs strikers
– New “Ron Davis” aluminum radiator with dual electric fans and shrouds
– Matching Billet radiator cap
– New gas tank, 24 gallon with new (in tank) fuel pump
– Replaced 12 volt battery
– Brakes- Power front disc
– Crager 5-Spoke Chrome Mags (15”x8”) with center spinners
– BF Goodrich T/A Radial front/ rear tires 295/50-R15 (rear) 245/60-R15 (front)
Vin- 138176K131123 Mileage- 10,362 (as of April, 2018) License- 7AAH506 Exterior- PPG Radiance Custom “Wineberry” Tri-Coat Paint Interior- Black (leather or vinyl ?) with Burgundy inserts Bumpers- Triple Nickel Plated (show chrome quality) Factory , , , after market Power Door Locks and aftermarket “Alarm System” Sony RM-XM10 trunk mounted 10-disc CD changer, MTX Thunder 2160 amplifier (electric radio antenna not hooked up) History I purchased the Chevelle in May 2013 from Rick Ridley of Marysville, Washington. Rick told me that he was the second owner when he bought the car in 1982 out of Everett, Washington. The car was complete (except it was dismantled) and stored in a garage for quite some time. Rick by trade was a fender and body man. He told me that he did all the work himself with the exception of the upholstery and the short block, which was a 396 at the time I purchased. He completed the car in 2003 and only drove it 1,200 miles in the next 10 years. Work that I have had done though “American Performance” of Pleasanton, Ca. in 2014: Suspension- QA 1 front springs and shocks, Detroit Speed complete front control arms, dropped spindle kit and sway bar. QA 1 rear shocks and Hotchkiss rear coil springs. Also replaced steering wheel gear box. Installed ZZ 502 crate motor (502 Horsepower with 567 LBS. Torque), March Performance Billet serpentine set-up with new alternator, new power steering pump, water pump. Also added Ring Brothers Billet aluminum hood hinges, Billet tall hood adjusters and Billet door jambs strikers. New “Ron Davis” aluminum radiator with dual electric fans and shrouds, matching Billet radiator cap. New gas tank, 24 gallon with new (in tank) fuel pump. And replaced 12 volt battery 1966 CHEVROLET If you Thing that do not work 1) Interior dome light 2) Power radio antenna and factory radio 3) Horn
Desirable options on the Chevelle include:
– Factory Power Windows
– Factory Power Steering
– Factory Tilt Steering Column
THIS 1966 CHEVY CHEVELLE SS – CONDITION
This is an extremely high quality car and shows attention to detail that separates many “home built” cars from professionally restored examples. The current owner acquired the Chevelle 5 years ago and reports that the complete restoration within the past few thousand miles. Within hundreds of miles, the Chevelle received a fresh, crate 502c.i big block and considerable other work (see below). It remains in excellent cosmetic condition and has some of the prettiest 3-stage paintwork that we have seen over the course of our 25 years in business in the same location.
Based on the exceptional quality of the paint, interior, and drive-line components, we are not hesitant to classify this Chevy as show ready. It represents a level of restoration that is far in excess of cars offered at the large auctions (no names mentioned) and the upgrades make it not only totally reliable and comfortable, but…FAST. We highly recommend that this car go to someone who appreciates the performance of a 500+ horsepower, well set-up Chevelle that respects this level of incredible performance. Not only is the car reliable, it is very solid, rattle free and instill confidence. The “SS” is totally turn- key, has been full sorted and is ready to enjoy for the upcoming 2018 season.
The Chevy’s paint rates extremely high and was completed by its previous owner, a professional high level auto body and paint expert. It is totally devoid of orange peel and other noticeable defects and partial repainting since the complete re-spray. The body is laser straight and solid and the undercarriage (photos shown) is dry with absolutely no rust through, damage to the frame, or suspension components. The suspension components are still “fresh” and the underside of the engine, transmission, and rear end show having been rebuilt and remain clean and dry.
We have not identified any signs of body panel replacement or major accident damage. The body itself is free from dents and other damage and, as a mostly weekend and show car, it remains free from parking lot dents and road rash on the front. The bumpers are straight, free from damage, and the chrome is excellent. Also, inspection of the other exterior parts of the car (emblems, grill, trim, etc.) shows them to be in absolutely beautiful condition. The photos accurately describe the cars condition and a video is provided to see the car start, hear the engine and view a walk around.
The doors, hood, and trunk gaps are very good and close / lock securely. The doors do not sag, and, of course, the hinges are solid and rust free. The undersides of the hood and trunk are free from rust, dirt and grease and in excellent condition. The entire engine bay is spotless. The engine has not been cleaned up for the photographs but has always been kept in this condition by the cars particular owner.
The glass on the car is free from cracks and the rubber and felt trim are excellent having been replaced during the restoration.
DRIVABILITY
The Chevelle SS drivability reflects the considerable care that the car has received since the restoration and mechanical improvements within literally hundreds of miles. It starts immediately under all conditions, and runs cool, even in the 100+ degree weather in Northern California. The idle is characteristic of a very high performance engine but the car idles well, has no hesitation upon acceleration and the 3; 73 gearing provides for incredible performance on demand and at any speed. The Chevy has excellent power, stops and steers straight and does not pull, or wander. Upgraded disc brakes ensure that the car stops straight and sure. The parking brake works and is properly adjusted.
The transmission is free from any issues and there are no signs of slipping, noise, or shifting issues. The remainder of the cars drive-line components is equally as good.
The car does not leak excessive fluids, is smoke free, and the engine sounds great. The car is fitted with dual exhaust giving it the perfect sound. The car is lowered just slightly so it has a nice stance but is not slammed to the ground or modified with air bags of radical suspension changes from stock. The charging system is fully operational and the Chevy holds a charge even after sitting for a prolonged period of time. A trickle charger is connected for long term storage.
The heating & defrosting system is completely functional. Lighting systems are functional including lights, turn signals, high beams, dash lights, etc.