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: 344058
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344058
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 4288
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 4419
Size: 270.8 KB

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

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 4257
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 4509
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 4450
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 4592
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: 3945
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 4072
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 7960
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 7401
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: 4460
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4460
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 3871
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 4126
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 3952
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 7072
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 6726
Size: 213.5 KB

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

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 3956
Size: 116.3 KB

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

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 4211
Size: 159.5 KB

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

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 6101
Size: 126.7 KB

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

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 4319
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 7668
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: 9946
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 9946
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 8893
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 6490
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 4442
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 7124
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 7006
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 6231
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 5837
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 6318
Size: 184.1 KB

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

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 4507
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 6734
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 7784
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: 6324
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 4037
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 5884
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 6359
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 4318
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: 3678
Size: 77.7 KB

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

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 4048
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 4054
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: 4017
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 4066
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: 6069
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: 6253
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: 6555
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: 6803
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: 4957
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 5077
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: 4894
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)