Bill Wente (67since67) 1966 Survivor SS396 Chevelle!

**Xplantdad** · #1 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

John Hopkins, a cotton farmer from Centre Alabama, took delivery of this 1966 Chevelle SS396 from Burkhalter Chevrolet Company in Centre on October 28th, 1965. Because of the nature of his work it was never used as daily transportation. Conversation with John plus maps and brochures in the glove box revealed that numerous trips were made to Florida's Gulf coast.

January 8th of 1978 the oil was changed at 59,310 miles. On January 13th of 2001 the oil was changed using Quaker State 10-30 at 61,950 miles. Today the milage is 62,240.

In November of 2009 John traded the Chevelle on a new Corvette. I asked him if he ever regretted parting with the Chevelle, he said no, he had always wanted a Corvette. Sadly John passed away in 2014.

After trading the Chevelle in 2009 it fell into the possession of a collector friend who named it "Belle". I acquired it in 2013 as part of a three way shuffle. In 2014 at MCACN Vintage Certification it was awarded "Legend" status with a composite score of 93%. It is a true sweetheart and one of my favorites to drive, a real Southern Belle!

Bill Wente

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344056
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344056
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 4286
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 4418
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 4565
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 4253
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 4508
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 4448
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 4590
Size: 215.8 KB

**Xplantdad** · #2 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

Engine shots including the early production five hole hood

Name: tn_early production five hole hood.jpeg
Views: 3943
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 4068
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 7954
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 7395
Size: 234.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #3 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

Interior pics including glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the circles on the heads

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4459
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4459
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 3870
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 4123
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 3950
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 7069
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 6725
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 3825
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 3955
Size: 116.3 KB

**Xplantdad** · #4 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 4209
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 4043
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 6098
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 4506
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 4316
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 7660
Size: 223.1 KB

**Xplantdad** · #5 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

Here's a bunch of detail pictures...if you hover over the pictures, it will give you some info about the picture!

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 9942
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 9942
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 8883
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 6487
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 4438
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 7116
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 7005
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 6229
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 5833
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 6315
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 4275
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 4500
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 6732
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 7782
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 4152
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 6323
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 4035
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 5881
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 6357
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 4315
Size: 139.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #6 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

Here's more detail pictures...if you hover over the pictures, it will give you some info about the picture!

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 5719
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 5719
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 3677
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 3871
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 4047
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 4053
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 4046
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 5718
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 4016
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 4065
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 4065
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 4003
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 3848
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 6068
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 4204
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 6252
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 5620
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 4088
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 4015
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 3815
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 6554
Size: 195.7 KB

**Xplantdad** · #7 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

The all important docs!

Name: tn_Body Broadcast sheet.jpeg
Views: 3580
Size: 214.9 KB

Name: tn_Original Sales Invoice.jpeg
Views: 6799
Size: 157.8 KB

**Xplantdad** · #8 04-15-2021, 03:45 AM

"By The Numbers"

Name: tn_By the numbers page 1.jpeg
Views: 4908
Size: 151.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 2.jpeg
Views: 5021
Size: 134.3 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 3.jpeg
Views: 4956
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 5075
Size: 135.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 5.jpeg
Views: 5910
Size: 115.0 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 6.jpeg
Views: 4893
Size: 105.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #9 04-15-2021, 03:48 AM

And the final picture, the original owner, Mr. John Hopkins!

Name: Mr. John Hopkins..jpg
Views: 3502
Size: 412.0 KB

Astock · #10 04-15-2021, 04:30 AM

Really nice!

The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (04-15-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), BillD (04-17-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), kwhizz (04-19-2021), L_e_e (04-16-2021), mhurd (04-15-2021), olredalert (12-10-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), Steve Shauger (04-16-2021), Tenney (04-15-2021)

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), L78_Nova (04-15-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), ScottG (01-30-2022)

The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
1967 4K (04-15-2021), 60sStuff (04-16-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), L78_Nova (04-15-2021), L_e_e (04-16-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), PeteLeathersac (04-15-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), ruralrte66 (04-16-2021), ScottG (01-04-2024), Tenney (04-15-2021), Woj (04-15-2021)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Astock For This Useful Post:
67since67 (04-17-2021), mr.4speed (04-16-2021)