[MarkM]

Along the same line.

What do you guys think about custom cars that are totally not numbers match, but they say it started as a true SS.

I just don't see the relevance.

Does anyone care that it started as a true SS?

 

[Sixties Guy]

Along the same line.

What do you guys think about custom cars that are totally not numbers match, but they say it started as a true SS.

I just don't see the relevance.

Does anyone care that it started as a true SS?

I think it does, many of the true SS's no longer have the original engine or transmission, however they are still SS cars. However, they will not be worth what the matching numbers SS's are worth. But I believe they will be worth more than a matching number 283 or 327 Malibu with the 3 on the tree or Powerglide.
For example, my '67 is a 138 car, fairly loaded with factory A/C, PS, PDB, 3 spd auto, tinted glass and tilt wheel. It has a '73 454 and Turbo 350 trans instead of the original 396 and Turbo 400. This gives me some leeway in restifying the car without worrying about lowering it's value since the factory powertrain is long gone.
That being said, I would have never bought, or even looked at the car in the shape it was in had it not been a 138 car or if it did not have the options it had.

 

[MarkM]

I think it does, many of the true SS's no longer have the original engine or transmission, however they are still SS cars. However, they will not be worth what the matching numbers SS's are worth. But I believe they will be worth more than a matching number 283 or 327 Malibu with the 3 on the tree or Powerglide.
For example, my '67 is a 138 car, fairly loaded with factory A/C, PS, PDB, 3 spd auto, tinted glass and tilt wheel. It has a '73 454 and Turbo 350 trans instead of the original 396 and Turbo 400. This gives me some leeway in restifying the car without worrying about lowering it's value since the factory powertrain is long gone.
That being said, I would have never bought, or even looked at the car in the shape it was in had it not been a 138 car or if it did not have the options it had.

I think you're talking about a car built to look, or almost look like an original car.

I talking about a possible custom, pro street, pro touring, modern engine, etc. I see these type of cars on ebay, and the seller makes a big deal about it being a true SS, but it's not even close to being original.

 

[Sixties Guy]

I think you're talking about a car built to look, or almost look like an original car.

I talking about a possible custom, pro street, pro touring, modern engine, etc. I see these type of cars on ebay, and the seller makes a big deal about it being a true SS, but it's not even close to being original.

I see your point. For these types of cars, being an SS is no longer a selling point. It's almost like an afterthought really. If an SS was specifically bought for this purpose, then to me it was a waste of money, a Malibu or standard Chevelle would have cost less to get into. If someone already had an SS and decided to go that route, well, then to each his own.

 

[1966_L78]

I think you're talking about a car built to look, or almost look like an original car.

I talking about a possible custom, pro street, pro touring, modern engine, etc. I see these type of cars on ebay, and the seller makes a big deal about it being a true SS, but it's not even close to being original.

IMO, once you get into heavily modified, you really hurt the value that being a "true SS" would have been...

HOWEVER, thats MY opinion... The reason people stress that its a "true SS", is because, no matter how modified it is, there will always be someone willing to pay more just because it was originally an SS...

I don't get it...

Matching numbers SS, okay, worth more...
Nicely "restored" but Non-MN, still worth more than a clone, okay I can agree...

Modified, non-MN SS, To ME, this is where I don't understand the values being much different...

If you plan to eventually restore it to "stock", okay, maybe...

If someone already had an SS and decided to go that route, well, then to each his own

I am currently suffering the dilemna or turning my '66 L78 hardtop into a nice Pro-touring-type car, possibly even with a rear frame knotch/mini-tub for more tire clearance and I'd love an LS motor, or doing a "stock" restore... Its missing the original engine, and I have since lost the documentation (I bought it in 1985, in High School, when I had no idea/didn't care about the "value" of documentation, etc. I had no idea what "138" was, and I didn't even know it was "real" until a few years later)... Been collecting "correct" parts for years. It may be worth more because its an SS/138, but how much more? And if I buy a Malibu to replace it, then I am also buying alot more unknowns, and how much would I really gain??? Not worth the risk to me at this point, I have a basically known quantity to work with... So unless I found a solid malibu shell to start over with, I'll probably build the SS...

So while I am deciding, it sits, and I get accused of being one of those "I'm gonna restore it someday" kind of guys...

I swapped out the orange front directionals, removed the vertical chrome piece in the grille, added a new repro SS dash...
Now with paint work being done, the Malibu mouldings removed, and a functional cowl hood with mostly NOS parts, I am getting pretty close to it being hard to tell if it is an SS.

I would like to hear what people think the typical "clone giveaway is" I say it is mouldings and sweep dash.

I agree... Sweep dash and the Malibu trim... IMO, when I see those, I still don't consider it a "clone", even if it has the emblems/hood...

On my '70 malibu, it had an SS hood when I bought it... I pulled ALL the emblems, all the Malibu trim off, blacked out the grill, put the "clear" turn signals, and I am now in the process of adding a round pod dash... I do not have ANY emblems (inside or out), so I don't consider it a "clone"... Its FAR from stock anyway... I just think the limited trim, black grill and the domed hood look more sporty and aggressive. I was even trying to find a "blank" rear bumper pad... Okay, I did change the turn signals, but I needed new ones anyway... IF I ever put stripes on it, they will be "correct" dimensionally... But I still wouldn't consider it a "clone"...

 

[Roadcaptain S3]

I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but what's wrong with a plain old Chevelle or Malibu? I love the SS, awesome car. But I like Malibus as well.
If you walk into a club, and every woman in there has blonde hair and various "enhancements", and every guy has hair and a flat stomach, you know something funny is going on.
Go to a Chevelle show, and there are no Malibus, Chevelles, El Caminos, four doors,wagons etc. Nothing but SS as far as the eye can see. Creepy man. and boring.
I understand increasing the value of your car, and HEY, it's your ride to do what you want.
But if EVERYBODY is "special" then, nobody is. I just like seeing the wide variety of the whole Chevelle family. A well restored Hot Rod Chevelle can easily be worth more than a "tribute" anyway
Don't anybody get mad, I'm just asking.

 

[rubadub]

I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but what's wrong with a plain old Chevelle or Malibu? I love the SS, awesome car. But I like Malibus as well.
If you walk into a club, and every woman in there has blonde hair and various "enhancements", and every guy has hair and a flat stomach, you know something funny is going on.
Go to a Chevelle show, and there are no Malibus, Chevelles, El Caminos, four doors,wagons etc. Nothing but SS as far as the eye can see. Creepy man. and boring.
I understand increasing the value of your car, and HEY, it's your ride to do what you want.
But if EVERYBODY is "special" then, nobody is. I just like seeing the wide variety of the whole Chevelle family. A well restored Hot Rod Chevelle can easily be worth more than a "tribute" anyway
Don't anybody get mad, I'm just asking.

When these chevelles were new and in the showroom, which one would you be looking at.

 

[SS4Real]

When these chevelles were new and in the showroom, which one would you be looking at.

The Cranberry Red SS454 of course!

 

[Roadcaptain S3]

When these chevelles were new and in the showroom, which one would you be looking at.

The one I could afford:yes: which probably wouldn't have been an SS.

I would have been trying NOT to look at the SS

Or down the street looking at the 5 year old Impala SS.

Kinda like now,actually Cause I'm WAAAAYYY too cheap.

 

[Sixties Guy]

To me, the car being an L78 would pose a dilemma, that being the top dog SS for '66. A base SS, not so much. There are still "date correct" L78 motors to be found and even a NOM, but real L78 would bring good money should you want to sell it.
If you plan to "never" sell it, then it shouldn't matter, build it to suit yourself.
However, should you complete the resto and decide to sell, you more than likely would have enough money to buy a base Chevelle, modify it as much as you wanted and have money left over.
Your long term history with the car might make it more difficult to part with though.

 

[Sixties Guy]

I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but what's wrong with a plain old Chevelle or Malibu? I love the SS, awesome car. But I like Malibus as well.
If you walk into a club, and every woman in there has blonde hair and various "enhancements", and every guy has hair and a flat stomach, you know something funny is going on.
Go to a Chevelle show, and there are no Malibus, Chevelles, El Caminos, four doors,wagons etc. Nothing but SS as far as the eye can see. Creepy man. and boring.
I understand increasing the value of your car, and HEY, it's your ride to do what you want.
But if EVERYBODY is "special" then, nobody is. I just like seeing the wide variety of the whole Chevelle family. A well restored Hot Rod Chevelle can easily be worth more than a "tribute" anyway
Don't anybody get mad, I'm just asking.

I have seen this many times,66 138 orig.SS ,needs restoration,20,000. OR,,66 136 CLONE,DONE,beautiful,,20,000. I passed on a beautiful 136 car in Georgia only because my wife kept saying,You dont want it,its a clone.I hate the word.I shoulda bought that car.DANGIT.[/QUOTE

As the owner of a nicely done 136 car and also a genuine 69 Camaro Z28 I can tell you that one of the reasons I purchased my Chevelle was because I liked a lot of things about it even though incorrect for even a Malibu and wanted something that I could have some fun with without worrying about hurting its value.
I paid a lot more for the z28 and still had to sink over $15k into it in correct original replacement parts.

So while my Malibu clone SS has Mopar paint and a white interior and a 454 in it I still get lots of compliments and dont have to care that I put a repro am/fm in the dash.

Could you post pictures of your Prowler Orange Chevelle? That's about the best looking Orange going IMO.

 

[kettbo]

I just gotta crack up to all those magazine cars of the 80s and 90s. So many began with, "Timmy looked high and low for a Real SS454..." to which he did all kind of crap to to get it into the magazine! Kandy paint, full up engine chrome, flares!, sunroofs, 'mod of the week' variety stuff. I wonder how many made it through this and are still around.

My 68 Vette is a factory 427/390 car. Though the engine was replaced, it is a nice car, nice paint, and I seldom drive it. OTOH, I bought the Elky pretty well cloned. Added 454 power, now I drive the living crap outa it, not worried about dents and all in the parking lot.

 

[bob55]

Could you post pictures of your Prowler Orange Chevelle? That's about the best looking Orange going IMO.

Thanks:beers:

 

[Greg]

...some believe that a factory built documented SS that no longer has its original motor is considered a clone.

The way I see it, what's to "document" on an "SS 396" that has a 454 pick up truck motor or a crate motor under the hood?
Such a car is no longer investment quality nor highly collectible...it must now be judged on build quality alone.

When these chevelles were new and in the showroom, which one would you be looking at?

But Rob, when these Chevelles were new and in the showroom, the SS's were numbers matching, documented, real deals.

Could you post pictures of your Prowler Orange Chevelle? That's about the best looking Orange going IMO.

Agreed.
Prowler Orange is one of the colors I'm considering for my '68.
Either that or Corvette Atomic Orange.

Regards,
-Greg

 

[Sixties Guy]

Thanks:beers:

Your Chevelle looks really good in the Prowler Orange. I like the white interior as well.

 

[bob55]

Your Chevelle looks really good in the Prowler Orange. I like the white interior as well.

Thanks, The colors are what really drew me to the car in the first place.

As i mentioned in my earlier post I was really looking for something different
something that wasn't resto mod but not totally stock either.

I must have looked at 8 or 9 Marina Blue and /or Bolero Red Chevelles before buying this one.

They were all beautiful cars but every cruise night or car show I have attended had at least one or the other sometimes 2 or 3.

Since mine is an SS clone anyway I figured I could have some fun with it as I already have a factory correct car.

 

[Sixties Guy]

Around here, Marina Blue is the most popular color by far. Believe it or not, I have never seen a factory Bolero Red Chevelle in person, only in pictures. (My current car was originally a Bolero Red SS, but it was in primer when I bought it).
Really though, there are just not that many early Chevelles in the area, lots more '68 -'72's.
Even back when they were new, Marina Blue was the top color, then Butternut Yellow and Grenada Gold, (my first Chevelle SS's factory color), and to a lesser extent white.

 

[bob55]

Around here, Marina Blue is the most popular color by far. Believe it or not, I have never seen a factory Bolero Red Chevelle in person, only in pictures. (My current car was originally a Bolero Red SS, but it was in primer when I bought it).
Really though, there are just not that many early Chevelles in the area, lots more '68 -'72's.
Even back when they were new, Marina Blue was the top color, then Butternut Yellow and Grenada Gold, (my first Chevelle SS's factory color), and to a lesser extent white.[/Q
Marina Blue is definatly the #1 color here as well with Bolero Red running a not so close second by about 4 to 1.

Seldom see a butternut Yellow or Grenada Gold car here. Funny how some colors are more common in certain areas of the country.
I vacation yearly in central Florida every winter where I see far more Tuxedo Black and white with black vinyl top cars than I see at home.

 

[Sixties Guy]

There is a local guy that I run into occasionally at the parking lot car shows around here that has a deeper, darker blue '67 with black vinyl top that he bought online from Florida several years ago. Owner claimed it was a repaint in a factory color, but definitely not Marina blue. I believe there was another blue available then, but haven't seen one of them either.
There is one black '67 that I see at the shows every once in a while from Louisiana and one white with black vinyl top car that comes every couple of years to the local regional show from the Greater Houston area, Conroe I believe.
'El Caminos are about as numerous as Chevelles and there appear to more GTO's around than early Chevelles.
(my "other" car is a '67 GTO HO 4 speed)
I just love the lines of the '66/'67 GM A bodies.

 

[bob55]

There is a local guy that I run into occasionally at the parking lot car shows around here that has a deeper, darker blue '67 with black vinyl top that he bought online from Florida several years ago. Owner claimed it was a repaint in a factory color, but definitely not Marina blue. I believe there was another blue available then, but haven't seen one of them either.
There is one black '67 that I see at the shows every once in a while from Louisiana and one white with black vinyl top car that comes every couple of years to the local regional show from the Greater Houston area, Conroe I believe.
'El Caminos are about as numerous as Chevelles and there appear to more GTO's around than early Chevelles.
(my "other" car is a '67 GTO HO 4 speed)
I just love the lines of the '66/'67 GM A bodies.

That would be deepwater blue a seldom seen color anywhere these days as is the original color of my now orange Chevelle which was Maderia Maroon.

What about 2 tone cars . I know they were manufactured but I have never actually seen one in person