You already know we're fans of the unusual here at Streetside Classics, and this handsome 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 certainly qualifies. It's a real code 138 SS with a great look, a 4-speed, and plenty of horsepower. If you're tired of being ordinary, this Chevelle is the antidote.You don't see many white Chevelles but now that you've seen this one, you'll wonder why everyone wants a red one. Add in a set of black stripes that wrap around the nose and run down the rockers and you have a sporty yet elegant SS that will definitely stand out in a crowd. GM didn't keep track of how many of each color they built, but when was the last time you saw a Chevelle like this? Like I said, this one is for the guy who digs the unusual. It's also for the guy who appreciates quality, as the restoration got the bodywork into top shape and covered it in modern paint, so it has a shine that nothing from five decades ago could ever touch. They left well enough alone, so there's no aftermarket hood, no extra stripes or scoops, and all the original badges are in place. And as a real-deal SS396, the blacked-out grille and tail panel were standard equipment. Just a cool car with a high-intensity look.This is also an original bench seat car, with the interior being freshened a few years ago. We like the industrial-strength look of a bench seat in a performance car, especially one with a 4-speed shifter just sticking out of the transmission tunnel like that. And the seat covers aren't the only parts that were replaced: the carpets, the door panels, and the headliner have been freshened as well. The original gauges are in good shape, and they're joined by a column-mounted tachometer and a set of auxiliary dials under the dash. You know they're serious about performance when there's a radio block-off plate in the dash, suggesting that the builder wasn't concerned with any other entertainment but what was under his right foot. Embroidered floor mats, a 3-spoke steering wheel, and a full-sized back seat are all included, making this a fantastic place to spend some quality time. The trunk is also nicely detailed with a correct mat and a spare tire.As a real SS, the base motor was a 396 cubic inch V8 rated at 325 horsepower, but you already knew that. This car appears to have a period-correct block in it, which keeps things pretty much the way the factory intended. It has been nicely detailed in Chevy Orange with the chrome valve covers and reproduction decals on the air cleaner. There's a decent cam inside and it's a little grumpy when it's cold, but once it's warmed up, there's horsepower everywhere on the dial and you'll never get tired of driving it. A 4-speed manual gearbox delivers the performance to the 12-bolt rear axle, and it uses a set of long-tube headers dumping directly into a set of glasspack-style mufflers with turn-downs, so the sound is pretty spectacular. 15-inch Rally wheels are always welcome on a Chevelle SS and they wear staggered 235/60/15 front and 255/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials.A great-looking car that runs superbly and has a great story to tell, isn't that what makes for an outstanding hobby car? Call today!
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