i'm looking to buy a 67 chevelle locally and its claimed to be a factory SS 396 4sp car....the car is complete and rust free..partially disassembled but all there and in AWESOME condition.(interior i swear looks almost new...emblems etc..all great)
car has 58k miles on it ..the motor was pulled when the rest of the car was disassembled..and sent ot the machine shop to be honed.. ..it was "lost" ..so hte 396 with it isn't original..supposed to be a 65 396 or something..not completely sure..its fresh rebuild all new parts etc
i'm curious on how i can tell whether this is indeed a factory SS..factory 396...if its factory 396..which variation would it have come with..or how can i find out...what 4sp should it have had?..muncie i assume?..how can i tell if the tranny is original?
it was originally a maroon color with black interior..center console with captains chairs..its an awesome car smile.gif

Welocome to the BEST Chevelle site on the net.
The VIN would be the first clue. 64-67 cars that were SS cars had a different VIN to denote the SS option. All SS cars were big blocks after 65. How can somebody lose an engine block? That seems shadey :rolleyes: The captains chairs are definitely not correct graemlins/sad.gif I'm sure more iformation will come as other members chime in.

THat's what I was wondering too. I guess maybe there was a mixup or something?

I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that it was swapped with another 396 AKA stolen. I've seen it happen before.

The answer is simple:

The first five digits of the VIN should be 138177 given it is a Hardtop car. If the VIN is a 138, then it is a real SS. All 67 SS Chevelles came with a Base ( standard engine ) 396/325hp. It could have been a Bench seat ( standard seat type ) or Optional Bucket seat car, could have been an Automatic or an optional Muncie 4 speed car. could have an optional console and many other options.... but for your question, first check that VIN. Then check the TRIM TAG attached to the Firewall near driver's side... depending on which assembly plant the car was built at, that Trim Tag will tell you much about the car's options...from Always telling the original exterior color and Interior color and Seat type to sometimes telling what OTHER options the car may have came with ( but even if some options are listed, many others may not be ). The engine version ( 325, 350, or 375hp ) is never noted on the Trim Tag. The only way to truly know what HP engine the car originally came with is if you have the original engine or have original paperwork like Protecto Plate, Build Sheet, window sticker, sales Invoice, etc....

You would need to post any of these VIN or TRIM TAG numbers in our TAG Forum and we can decode it.

Good luck, do your homework and ask questions!

Mike

Also the rivets that hold the vin plate on are not round, check and see if they are new, if so look out. They are suppose to be octogon shaped.Good luck and let us know. There are a lot of great people on this site, Mike above is one of the best in this field.

well..it is indeed an SS..as per the vin..the vin is original to the car..

the story i was given about the motor is it was taken in to the machine shop and ..misplaced..lost..something of that sort..my guess..it was maybe hte 375hp motor and someone that worked there wanted it...
the car is a factory 4sp...i'm not sure yet if hte tranny is original.....its a bucket seat car
i'll try getting pics soon as i can

more questions...where might the build sheet be located, so i can see if its maybe still there
in the center console..above the shifter ..is a round hole...did a tach used to be here?...
what would you guys estimate the rough value of this car?...er, a fair price to pay for it

5000, Maybe more? What is the asking price? Tell us more about the car and I'm sure the guys here will give you their Honest Opinions!

asking price is about 3k...(for me anyway)
i'm not sure what other info to give about the car..if someone could give me an idea as to that i'd gladly fill ya in

anyone else have an opinion on this..or i'd still like to know what info would help in determining value..

I believe the "round hole" in the console is for a clock. If the 4 speed is original (Muncie) there will be a partial VIN on the mid section of the trans. You might need a small mirror to read it if it's still in teh car.
If it is complete, and rust free, 3k sounds like a steal to me.

cool..i'll get pics soon as i can...its under a huge tarp right now with the front end removed as well as all emblems lol..need to get the rear quarters straightened out (wrinkled slightly) and the motor isn't assembled yet..
post em soon as i can