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1967 Chevelle SS Team Chevelle Member #62 (Gold)
The genesis of this project was over 20 years ago when I took every penny I had saved and an advance on my paycheck to purchase, second hand, a Chevrolet L88 427 crate engine. Back in the 70's this was the epitome of GenIV big block development. After spending countless hours measuring, machining and rebuilding the motor I decided, quite at the last minute, to attend college. Frankly, although my dad was a machinist, it was not my gift. The motor was sold to my best friend, who ran it for a bit and then sold it to another mutual acquaintance, who literally put in a closet for safekeeping.
Fast forward 20+ years to 1998. I had told my wife that by the time I was 40, I wanted another "hot rod" . My friend calls me one day and asks if I know of anyone who'd like to buy the L88. Heck yes, I said, me. He had bought it back a few years earlier, rebuilt it again ( the .0075 skirt clearance and nasty cam had him freaked) and had been running it outfitted with a tripower. So, being that I gave him a deal on it 20 years ago, he says $1000 for the shortblock. After much arm twisting, he finally decides to sell me the heads for an additional $800 and will loan me the Winters intake until I decide on induction. Unfortunately he kept the tripower for his new 509. I'm in!
Problem: I needed a ride to put my old mill in. Always wanting a 65/66 Deuce, I explore this route and find the mods for these cute little rides to support 500+ ponies are extensive. Now, engines I'm sort of OK on knowledge wise now, but in terms of frame mods , restorations, man, I'm a total newbie.
A client and friend suggests I look into a full frame car like a Chevelle. So diddling on the web I want to find out if a 427 was ever offered in a Chevelle. My searches found Copo discussions and , alas, I find Team Chevelle, and a discussion which appeared to be based on good leg work and research by none other than , Skip Cain. Well, then I find a pic of Skip's 67 427 tripower car and I say, that's it. Why, I can't explain, but it became an absolute truth that I was going to find a 67 SS 396 for a home. I printed the pic of Skip's car and it still hangs on my office wall. Oddly or not, this was, come to find out, right after Skip's quite untimely passing.
The search was on. Found one in Alabama. Man, that would be a hard one to clear my wife's muster. She was generally lukewarm to this whole gearhead obsession, which to her seemed to come out of left field. She didn't know me as a kid, when I was dripping with motor oil, gear lube, etc. 24/7.
One day, doing a web search I find a 67SS396 about 50 miles away. Looks OK. Asking $7800. A little more than I had stashed, but at least it wasn't a drag car, a few of which I had seen and passed on. I grad a friend with a cherry '66 Malibu and we take a drive. My L88 buddy kindly offers his time and the three of us descend on this car. Not bad. Paint is shoddy, but the thing is solid and, other than a 67 Camaro 396, its almost all original.
The seller told me the first owner was a Veteran, who bought the car, raced it and blew the mill. Then his number got called and, like 50,000 others, he never made it back home. He set the hook. He was the third owner of the car. After some email haggling on price, he took my offer of $5800 and we trailered it to L88 friends barn for a mechanical thrashing to at least get it roadworthy. Incidentally I found the second owner's name on an old registration and called him up. The first owner was not killed in Vietnam. It was a lie. Hate lies. But at least the car spent more time apart in a garage than on the road. It had 29,000 on the odometer. And no rot.
Now round about April 1999, I became a registered "user" of Team Chevelle. Man, I posted three or four questions a day. Remember, this was completely new to me. Once I got out of the engine bay where I was half lost, I was totally lost.
Therefore, it would be utterly truthful to say that this 67SS396, sportin' an old L88 is a Team effort. Team Chevelle that is. At every little decision node, a thread was started, a question asked, and the thoughtful responses of Team members weighed in on the decision. I can't even begin to thank you all individually, because this long story would be even longer. But suffice it to say that Al's vision of an internet car club dedicated to helping others with restorations of their Chevelles IS the reason this car came to be. Pure and simple. It is a collaborative effort, with me spending the time and money and Team members guiding me with their helping hand and wisdom.
This car is a product of Team Chevelle from its inception. Right from the inspiration provided by Skip. It has been a honor and a pleasure to pursue this project with your help.
The car is pretty much complete although this winter the tripower will be built and installed. The 71/72 SS wheels are still an issue.
67 SS 396.
- Orignally sold in Rochester NY. Now tearing up the streets in Buffalo.
- All original sheet metal.
- 4 speed M20 with a "hidden" Hurst Comp Plus.
- 3.55 12 bolt posi ( original code for a 3.08)
- Original interior except for rear arm rests, front rest pads and package tray.
- Most chrome and britework is replaced, bumpers are originals.
- Every mechanical system rebuilt/replaced except for rear end.
- Powered by a 1970 427 L88 crate with piston mods ( 10.8:1 CR) and aftermarket camshaft ( Crane F304-2). Fully blueprinted. Port work on heads. 2" Hookers to 3.5" pipes and 2.5" tails.
- Estimated horsepower 525 or so at 6400 rpm.
Photo Backgrounds of Gene's Chevelle available here.....
